Yet she did not live in Town and she knew of it. He looked at his tea and wished it was a brandy. “But why use children? I would think there’d be more risk in getting caught.”
“Children are generally transported rather than hanged.”
He spewed his tea. Fortunately, he got his serviette up in time before much damage was done. “Transported?I thought he’d be sent to a workhouse.”
How she sat there so calmly, he didn’t know.
“Not after being tried for theft. He would have been taken to Newgate.”
Suddenly, the pounding in his head grew louder. “Newgate?”
Thea nodded. “Yes, which is the reason Lady Evesham and Lady Rutherford now have an orphan asylum and are working to change the laws. It is cruel to blame a child for something he has been taught to do in order to eat. He was probably told there would be dire consequences if he told anyone about either the criminal gang or himself.”
Thea poured Dom another cup of tea as he tried to untangle what he had always believed with what appeared to be the facts. Had his uncle known of this when he counseled Dom to vote for harsh punishments for criminals of all ages? What if he would have just listened to Worthington and his set?
“Dominic?” his mother asked.
“Yes, Mama?”
“Dorothea has an appointment with Mrs. Sorley to go over the house. We shall leave you for now.”
“Of course.” He rose when they did and took Thea’s hand. “I’ll see you this evening if not before.”
She searched his eyes and smiled. “One or the other, perhaps both.”
At some point he had to get to the bottom of what had happened to Tom, but tonight all he wanted was to be with Thea at the ball. He could find a quiet parlor or a secluded place in the garden or on the terrace so he could kiss her as he wanted to do now. She was his and it was time he showed her.
* * *
Dotty left Dom mulling over his newfound knowledge. It had astonished her that he was so insulated from real life. She wondered if he would ever get Tom to tell the truth and thought she might give it a try. After all, she did have younger sisters and one younger brother.
“My lady?”
“You wish to see little Tom, do you not?”
She grinned. In just a few short days, she’d come to like and admire her future mother-in-law’s perspicacity. “I would, after I meet with your housekeeper, of course.”
“I think that is a good idea. He might confide in you more willingly than in Dominic.” They continued to her ladyship’s parlor where the housekeeper would meet them. “If you’d like a little hint regarding getting on with Mrs. Sorley, encourage her to tell you about the family. She was born at Merton and her mother was the housekeeper before her. There is not a family secret she does not know.”
Dotty widened her eyes. “Are there secrets?”
“More than I knew.” Lady Merton sighed.
They’d reached the parlor and found the housekeeper waiting. Mrs. Sorley appeared to be in her forties. She was of medium height with light brown hair and gray eyes. Her mien was pleasant but sober. Woe to the child who muddied her floors. Still, Dotty liked her instantly.
Mrs. Sorley curtseyed. “Miss, I’m pleased to meet you.”
Dotty held out her hand. “As I am you, Mrs. Sorley. Shall we begin?”
The housekeeper took two of Dotty’s fingers and released them. A grin split her long narrow face. “We’ll start with the upper floors and work our way down if that suits you.”
“It does indeed.” It appeared Mrs. Sorley thought as Dotty did. “Most particularly the nursery?”
“Yes, miss. Precisely what I was thinking.” She handed Dotty a pocketbook and pencil. “I’ll take notes, but you might want to do so as well.”
Dotty followed the housekeeper to the main hall then up three levels of stairs before they reached the nursery. As she expected, the house was clean and neat, but could use some redecoration in areas. Lady Merton hadn’t spent a great deal of time here. After having seen the Stanwood House schoolroom floor and the plans for the one at Worthington House, Dotty was full of ideas for remodeling. Although she hoped never to have eleven children. Twelve, if one counted Grace.
In the schoolroom, Tom was busy reading with Sally, the temporary tutor, and asking her questions. “But, Sally, I don’t understand this part.”
