Free Love Engineered by Jenna Dawlish Page A

own childhood. He and Edward had argued occasionally, but were sent to different schools, so when they saw each other during the holidays they generally got on well enough. It must have been lonely for Jane being the only child at home. She never complained of it, but she was always pleased to see them both during the holidays.
    His mind turned to other matters. “Boyd is away for the foreseeable future. Besides, I wouldn't interfere in Jane's matters of the heart. I dare not.” Charles thought for a moment. Jane would never make an unsuitable match. She was too careful for that. He looked across at Ashton. “We still have much business to discuss.”
    Ashton was about to reply, when a gentleman approached them.
    “Charles? Charles Lucas? I thought it was you!”
    Charles stood up and shook the man's hand. “Why, William Risinger. What a surprise! What on earth are you doing in London? I heard you were gone to France.”
    “I did, but I'm back,” the man said.
    “Permanently?”
    “Possibly, but I can't say for sure.”
    Charles indicated that he should sit in the empty chair, and took a look at his old school friend. William Risinger was tanned and a little weather-beaten. His face was worn and lined, with deep set eyes. Was this really the same man he had known in his youth? What could have caused him to look so much older than his years?
    “This is my business partner, Ashton.” The men shook hands.
    “How long has it been since we last met?” Charles asked.
    “It must be at least two years, maybe three years at least.”
    “It's good to see you again, William.”
    “Likewise.”
    The two men talked for a time about Charles's work, old friends and what William was doing in London. Ashton went back to his newspaper when it became evident that Mr Risinger wasn't well-connected, and listened in to the odd remark the pair made.
    Some time later, Ashton looked at his watch. “I hate to interrupt you both, but I must be going. I'm about to try Miss Thomas to see if she will invest in a number of projects.”
    “Miss Thomas?” Risinger raised his eyebrows.
    “Yes.” Ashton sat forward, an inquisitive look on his face.
    “Miss Louise Thomas from Glazebrook, Devon?”
    “Yes. You know her?”
    “I used to know her.” His eyes shifted between Lucas and Ashton. “She used to be a friend of mine, but not any more.”
    “Your friendship ended? Who broke it off?”
    “She did. Most adamant about it too! Told me never to darken her door again,” he said with a sardonic smile.
    “The friendship can't have meant much to you then – you look positively glowing that you're no longer friends.” Ashton commented, then said after a pause, “Surely there must have been a reason, though?”
    “I'd rather not talk of it. Rather a painful subject, but I'll tell you one day. Possibly.”
    Charles wasn't sure what to say. Risinger looked uncomfortable, and Charles knew him well enough not to press the issue.
    Ashton was more intrigued. “Come come, you can't give us a hint of something and then not follow through. Or at least tell me what you know of her.”
    “I know she rarely invests in anything, so your efforts are probably in vain. She is one of those members of her class who despise the lower classes, and who think ill of the modern world.”
    Charles couldn't help speaking up. “That is a very different picture of her than I have noticed. She seems to be enthralled with industry and all that it entails. She has taken a great interest in my work.“
    Risinger was unconcerned. “Maybe she has changed since I last knew her. It has been three years.”
    “She has been hosting her engineering dinner for longer than that.”
    “Those dinners are just a tradition she has taken over from her deceased father. When I knew her, she was very good at saying one thing and doing another.”
    “I don't know her well enough to argue that point,” Charles conceded. But he did think for a moment that Risinger must have