True to her word, Miss Carter appeared several times at the front door during the week. Mother was charmed by her, but when informed, James Windibank was annoyed. He called my friend a busybody and wanted to know why she kept visiting, even when she knew I would be out typing.

"She has no business always being here! Who are her family, anyway?" he would ask. "I am astonished an honorable family such as the Rouillards deign to have her about! All that suffrage nonsense is revolting!"

Of course, I kept my opinion to myself. Not that anything I said would have eased James' annoyance. He had taken Evangeline in dislike, no doubt because she encouraged me to be independent.

It was during one of her brief visits that Evangeline mentioned to my mother that she intended to introduce me to Mr. Weare's cousin. I wasn't present at the time, but Evangeline swore my mother's face paled. When I returned home, I was faced with two angry people.

"Just what game are you playing at?" James demanded as soon as I stepped through the front door. His face was red and his eyes flashed with anger.

Warily, I kept my distance. "What do you mean by that?" I asked, truly confused. "What game? I'm not playing at anything."

"So you deny that your friend" he spat out the word like is was something detestable "Isn't encouraging you to be fast and flirt with any man who comes along? That you do not intend on sullying the family name with your behavior?"

I looked beyond him. "Mother, perhaps you would be good enough to explain what your husband is going on about."

James grabbed my arm with his left hand and caught my chin with his right, forcing me to look at him. "I have warned you about being disrespectful, Mary Sutherland," he said, his tone sharp.

"James!" Mother exclaimed, her tone horrified. Finally, some semblance of compassion.

Some instinct in me forced me to be absolutely still. "I'm sorry," I said through gritted teeth. "I did not mean to be disrespectful. I just don't understand what you are talking about."

"I am talking about your friend Miss Carter playing matchmaker with you," James said, shoving me back a step. "Has everything your mother and I have done to protect you and shield you from mercenary men meant nothing? You wish to throw yourself at the first man, whoever he may be?"

My cheeks heated up, for isn't that what I had done with Hosmer? Hosmer, who had been the first man to give me attention and had been so sweet, who my mother and James claimed had never existed.

"It is my wish to be happily married, yes," I said, choosing my words with care. "Evangeline knows several eligible bachelors. If she wishes to play matchmaker and I meet my future husband, what harm has been done? You didn't imagine I would become a spinster and remain in my mother's house for the rest of my days, did you?"

James' eyes shifted. In an instant, I knew: he'd thought exactly that. The thought hurt more than it should have. I knew I couldn't be considered a beauty but I was handsome in my own way. I also had an inheritance. Why wouldn't I marry at some point?

"Miss Carter is a bad influence on you," James declared. He pointed a finger at me. "I forbid you from having anything to do with her. She is not welcome in this house."

"I'm sorry you disapprove of her," I said sincerely. "I will tell her she is not welcome here. However, I quite enjoy her company. We will meet elsewhere."

"Mary," James said, his tone lowering to the cold calm that signaled a warning. "There will be consequences if you disobey me."

And yet, he had threatened that so much, but nothing had happened. It had been a year since he had brought those horrible doctors with their talk of rest in an asylum. I had managed to avoid it thus far, though I knew very well that I was by no means clever.

How far could James be pushed before he acted on his threat?

"Miss Carter knows," I blurted out.

James went still. "What do you mean?" he asked after several long seconds. "What does she know?"

"Everything. About me, I mean," I said, lifting my chin. I didn't know if "She knows about Hosmer Angel, about how I have tried to find him, and what you have threatened me with. It is why she comes so often. To make sure I am safe and to assure you that I would be missed if I were to...disappear suddenly."

Mother gasped. "Mary Elizabeth Sutherland! Do you wish your shame be known everywhere? What if she tells the Rouillards? They will not desire to have your company!"

"Miss Carter has had my confidence for some weeks now," I said, defiantly. "She may have explained the situation to her parents, but I think it unlikely she would betray me to anyone else If I were to cut contact, surely you see she would think the worst and then it is entirely plausible she will tell."

I kept my eyes on James. It was obvious I had backed him into a corner.

"You are mad," he said slowly. There was a glint in his eye.

"No, I don't think I am," I said, softening my tone. "I will inform Evangeline that she is not welcome here. However, I will continue to meet her outside of this house. Excuse me, please, while I dress for dinner."

With as much courage as I could muster, I stepped towards the stairs. James didn't try to grab me again. From the door leading to the back of the house, I saw the maid pull her head back. A silent spectator to the battle being waged between myself and my stepfather.

Out of politeness, I endured supper. James pointedly ignored me, which was a relief. Mother kept glancing between us, but also made no attempt to speak to me. After the meal, I excused myself and escaped to my room to ride in privacy.

No more than a half hour later, Mother was in my doorway. "I forgot to tell you, Mary, this was left on the doorstep for you today," she said, unable to meet my gaze. She held a letter out to me.

Curious, I reached over and took it from her. "Thank you." I turned it over, studying the typing. As it wasn't handwritten, I knew it was not from one of my old school friends. Who else would have written to me? There was no return address, no indication of who had sent it, no postal markings of any kind.

Before I broke the seal, I looked up. Mother was watching expectantly. Instead, I set the letter aside. "Was there something else, Mother?" I asked, having no intention of reading the mysterious letter with her watching on.

"No. Are you going to read your letter?"

"Perhaps later. It doesn't seem urgent."

Her face fell and she shook her head. "I think you should read it now, Mary. It may have good news."

"A typed letter like that? My guess is it some solicitation from a charity or some note from a business. If it were a friend or someone I knew, would it not be written by hand?"

Mother didn't seem to have anything to say to that. After several awkward moments of silence, she left the room. I waited five minutes to ensure she would not return and then opened the letter. My heart caught in my throat as I read the words:

My dearest Mary,

Can it be that a year has passed already? Every day, I dream of your loveliness and constancy. You have been constant, haven't you? You did promise me you would be. My heart would shatter into unfixable pieces if I knew you had begun to doubt me.

Though we cannot be together, I must see you my darling. Let us meet where we were to have been wed this Saturday. At noon, I will be there.

I risk my life in doing this, sweet Mary. Do not deny me this moment of happiness.

Yours,

H. Angel

After a year of no message or word, Hosmer Angel had returned.

"But why does he not explain what had happened? Where has he been all this time?" I murmured, frowning at the typewritten letter.

Was it a coincidence that this should arrive right when Evangeline has sworn to introduce me to someone new? I shook my head. What a paranoid thought! Such a thing would only be possible if Hosmer, or an acquaintance of Hosmer's, was watching me. Why would Hosmer do such a thing and remain away from me?

Why had the letter been left on the doorstep instead of sent through the post? Why such secrecy? Was Hosmer hiding from someone? My mother and stepfather, perhaps?

Breathing out, I folded the letter. Saturday was two days away. Time enough to think of what I should do.

"Do? My dear Mary, don't you find this whole situation strange?" Evangeline asked when I requested her advice over tea on Friday. "Silence for a year, and then, not an explanation, but a demand to see you! The audacity of the man!"

Flushing, I traced the edge of my teacup with my fingertip. "Yes, but what if he has a good reason for staying away?" I said, my tone unconvinced even to my own ears. "What if he has been involved in some trouble, and he couldn't take the time to explain in a brief note?"

Arching an eyebrow, Evangeline picked up the note. "If Alfred had sent such an impersonal note to me after being gone for any length of time, I can tell you I would not be pleased with him!"

"I can't...refuse to go."

"Of course not, but I shall accompany you," Evangeline said decisively. "I cannot like how this Mr. Angel has treated you, and certainly he must be told."

I'd hoped she would agree to accompany me. Sighing in relief, I held my hand out. "I don't want that letter to leave my sight," I said when Evangeline gave me a quizzical look. "After all, it is proof Hosmer exists, if it should become necessary to have proof."

"Mary, it would be poor proof," Evangeline said gently, even as she handed the letter to me. "It is typed, not even signed. It could be suggested that you typed it yourself in an effort to continue the idea of there being a Hosmer Angel."

The realization took my breath away. She was right. And I did not even have the other letters from Hosmer when we were becoming acquainted. I'd left them with Mr. Sherlock Holmes, never to see them again.

"Then, I suppose it does not matter then," I said, slumping as much as my corset would allow. "I wonder you even believe me given how terribly...fictional it all sounds."

"Of course, I believe you," Evangeline cried, reaching across the table to pat my arm. "I have never seen you even tell a fib, Mary. I have no reason not to believe what you tell me, and every reason to think James Windibank capable of the terrors you have told me."

Despite her reassurance, I was disappointed my cleverness in keeping the letter safe was not as clever as I'd thought it would be.

"Now, shall Alfred and I escort you to the church tomorrow?" Evangeline asked, straightening up. "I have a great deal to say this Mr. Angel, as I've said, and Alfred shall be on hand in case there is any danger."

"Danger?" I repeated in surprise. "Why would you suspect danger?"

"Haven't you theorized there must be some danger that kept Mr. Angel away? The very fact that he sent this note clandestine hints that there is some secrecy needed. I cannot help but think there must be some danger."

"I did think as much myself," I admitted with another sigh. "It must be something truly serious to have kept him away without a word for so long."

"Then, we are agreed. Tomorrow, I shall meet you at your house and we shall go to the church together."

Reminded of my stepfather's edict, I hesitated. "I'm afraid Mr. Windibank has decided you are a terrible influence on me and has said you are not allowed at our house."

Instead of offense, Evangeline practically beamed with pride. "Influence? I am flattered!" She paused, and her face darkened. "Has he said you ought not to meet me? Has he threatened you?"
"He has," I said with a nod. "But, honestly, I'm not entirely certain he will go through with his threat. I've warned him that you are aware of what he has said and threatened to do. It may be enough to stay his hand."

Evangeline frowned, her expression concerned. "While I applaud your boldness, Mary, I think we should be cautious. We shall meet at St. Saviour's at half-past eleven. That shall give us plenty of time to find the best place to wait for your Mr. Hosmer Angel."