"Well, what do you think of the boy?" John asked.
Helen looked up from the tea service she was cleaning up now that David and Ashley had finished their visit. She tried to frown at his cheeky smile but couldn't. "You know full well I like him," she snapped.
"Told you," he said.
"Don't be smug, John. It doesn't suit you."
"How often do I get to tell you I'm right?" John pointed out.
"I hate you, John Druitt."
John gave her a cocky half grin. "Of course you do. It's why you married me."
Helen made a frustrated noise as she glared at him. John continued to smile. "Some days, John."
"Oh, darling you know I don't mean it. It's all in jest." To prove his point, John gathered his wife into his arms and kissed her.
"I hate how you can make me calm so easily," she sighed.
"I don't mind it," John teased.
Helen pulled away and continued with her tidying. "I do feel bad for Ashley however."
"Is David not treating her well?"
Helen had to hide a smile at the edge in John's voice. Ever the watchful parent, John would not stand for any of his children being hurt. Heaven especially help the man that decided to abuse Ashley in anyway. John would have him strung up before supper. "No, David is a very courteous gentleman. But Ashley complains, as ever, about the rules she must follow with him."
"Don't tell me he talks nonsense like the others."
Helen shivered slightly as she thought about Ashley's other suitors. None of them cared about her daughter's surprising intellect. When they came to visit they spouted the most trivial nonsense that Ashley quickly sent them packing. "Thankfully, David has an actual head on his shoulders. And encourages that in Ashley. They actually spoke of politics today if you can believe it."
"I can't but I'll take your word for it. Then whatever is the problem?"
"The problem is Ashley likes him quite a bit. And would like to continue seeing him much more than she currently can."
"I'm not sure I understand."
"My schedule keeps getting in the way of their meetings. After all, they must meet in our house and Ashley must be chaperoned. The only woman in this house older than her is my lady's maid and it would completely improper for a servant to function in that role. Not to mention she's often busy helping me. So Ashley doesn't get to see David as often as she would like."
John titled his head to the side. "Why not let them have tea alone then?"
Helen couldn't believe what her husband had just suggested. "John, such a thing would be completely against the laws of propriety."
John's smile returned. "Helen, we saw each alone during our courtship." His smile turned sly. "Quite often as I recall."
"Which is why I know exactlywhat would happen if we left them alone."
"And why I'm still confused as to why you're refusing to allow it."
Helen rolled her eyes. She was certain he was being deliberately obtuse. "John, have you forgotten that I was pregnant on our wedding day?"
"Not in the slightest, my angel. In fact you were pregnant with Ashley as I recall."
"I was."
"And what was wrong with that? I was perfectly happy."
"My love, not every story has the happy ending we were rewarded with." Helen sighed as she went to his arms. "I just want what's best for Ashley."
"As do I." John kissed her hair. "You shouldn't worry so Helen. Ashley is a bright young woman and she knows how to handle herself. I honestly think she would be alright if left alone with David. He doesn't seem the type to make unwanted advances."
"I don't think his advances would be all that unwanted." Helen shook her head as she thought it over. "I'll just have to think of something. I'm sure I can come up with something that will satisfy all parties."
"Knowing you, I've no doubt of it."
A/N: I dont' know if it was against the rules to have a servant as a chaperone but I can imagine it would be. However, the fact that women were not encouraged to be intelligent or interested in politics is true. It is also true that a woman couldn't recieve a gentleman caller in her house if she was alone. Nor could she go to visit him at his house. She also couldn't go out walking with him without a chaperone and when they did walk, they had to walk apart. A woman couldn't ride in a closed carriage with a man that wasn't a relative. (Which make the engagement scene in Sanctuary all that more hot). Really, the restrictions for women were insane.