Page 95 of Molly Boys

Ev shrugged and Hugh looked to Mr Phipps, who nodded.

“You said two?” Hugh questioned. “What is the other condition?”

“I’m not returning to Derby,” Everett said. “I will not be hidden away in disgrace and left to rot, no matter what Father intended. Send me back to London. Mary’s cousin Edwin is the reverend of St Mary’s Matfelon. I’ll go there.”

“Whitechapel?” Hugh frowned. “Why on earth would you want to go to that godforsaken place?”

“I have my reasons,” Ev said, his voice quiet and tinged with sadness. He wouldn’t allow his thoughts to deviate to Archie. If he did, if he let himself feel the hopelessness, he’d break into a thousand pieces. Instead he raised his chin.

“I don’t think you can choose where you want to be placed.” Mr Phipps frowned. “I believe that’s the church’s choice.”

“And yet my father had arranged to have me moved into the chapel on the edge of the estate,” Ev snapped, his words filled with bitterness.

“Everett is right.” Hugh held his hand up to halt Mr Phipps’ words. Chewing his lip thoughtfully, he looked up at the lawyer. “My father stipulated Everett is to personally receive no financial assistance.”

“That’s right.”

“But did he state that I couldn’t make a further donation to the church?”

“Well, no,” Mr Phipps replied after a moment. “I believe that would be allowed.”

“Very well.” Hugh nodded. “I will speak with the bishop and see to it that you are placed in St Mary’s under the mentorship of Reverend Edwin,” Hugh told Everett.

Nodding, Everett turned to leave the room.

“Everett.” Hugh’s voice stopped him. “You were right, you know.”

“About what?” He glanced back at his brother.

“I wouldn’t have given up my title and the estates for you,” he admitted, his eyes filled with sympathy. “But if I could have given you another choice, I would have.”

“I know,” Ev murmured and with one last look at his brother he turned and left the room.

He was returning to Whitechapel, only this time it wouldn’t be as Archie’s lover. That chapter of his life has been cruelly snatched away from him before it had even had the chance to begin.

This time, god help him, he would be returning as a reverend and nothing would ever be the same.