Thea went straight to the girl. “Don’t be afraid, we’re not going to hurt you. Can you help me take some broth and a bit of bread to the women upstairs?”
The girl nodded. “Yes, my lady. Cook should still be in the kitchen. Don’t think anyone’s thought to look down there.”
Much to his surprise, the kitchen was well appointed and clean. Several pots were on one of the new closed stoves and a large, rotund female was giving orders to two maids.
The cook finished stirring one pot, before glancing up, then spearing the poor maid with a fierce look. “Lucy, what do you mean by bringing Quality down here?”
Thea stepped in front of the girl. “I told her I needed to speak with you.”
The cook’s hands went to her ample hips. “And just who are you?”
Thea stiffened and raised a brow. “I am Miss Stern. My betrothed, Lord Merton, and I found the women who were drugged. As soon as they are awake, they should be fed. Is there a housekeeper in residence?”
The cook eyed Thea suspiciously. “Where’s the mistress?”
“The Bow Street Runners have restrained her.”
The cook made a sign of the cross. “Thank the Lord.”
Dom put a hand on his forehead, unable to believe what he was hearing. His uncle had always told him people picked their lives. Yet the women above clearly had not and now the cook seemed happy to be rescued as well. None of this made any sense.
One of the scullery maids peeped up at him. She couldn’t have been more than fourteen or fifteen and very pretty. “Am I safe now, Mrs. Oyler?”
The cook smiled at the girl. “Mayhap ye are, sweetie.” Mrs. Oyler’s gaze switched to Thea. “I’ll get the soup ready, but I don’t like my girls going through the house. It’s too dangerous.”
“It’s all right now, ma’am,” Lucy said. “Ain’t no one in the parlor, and I’ll help.”
“Here, miss, sit ye down.” the cook said to Thea. “I’ll get you and his lordship a cup of scandal broth. I’m Mrs. Oyler.”
Thea took the chair offered, as did he. Once they were given tea and fresh bread with butter, Thea indicated Mrs. Oyler should sit as well. “Tell me why you are here.”
“After my man died, it was hard for a Papist to find a job. Mrs. Spencer took me in and gave me a position. This was a respectable lady’s house before that Miss Betsy got her hands on it. Acted like a fine lady, she did, and bought it from my old mistress’s heirs. I thought about leaving, but without a reference it’s hard to find work. Then I found my calling. Some of the girls brought in were young. Younger than May over there.” She pointed to the pretty girl. “I started finding them apprenticeships and helping them escape. I think Miss Betsy caught on, because that’s when she started with the opium.”
It didn’t take much imagination to figure out the rest. Once the women were dependent on the drug, they’d do anything to have it again. After that, they would have nowhere to go.
“Miss,” Mrs. Oyler asked, “what do you mean to do?”
“Rescue the women who wish to leave.” Thea sipped her tea. A small crease appeared between her brows. “First of all, we must have clothes and clean chemises for the women Lord Merton and I found. I’ll discuss where they will live with Lady Merton and Lord and Lady Worthington. I am sure we’ll think of something.”
The cook folded her hands on the table. “I’d be glad to help.”
Thea nodded thoughtfully. “I have a feeling we’ll need all the assistance we can get. This turned into a much larger undertaking than I had imagined.”
That was the understatement of the Season. Dom stifled his groan. If he didn’t get control of her soon, his lot in life would consist of following her around on her missions of mercy just to keep her out of scrapes. His uncle would have apoplexy if he could see Dom now. He was just amazed she hadn’t suggested that he buythishouse. However, the day wasn’t done. She had plenty of time yet.
Mrs. Oyler heaved her bulk up and set about giving orders for bowls of soup and bread to be prepared and taken upstairs.
Thea rose. “Thank you, Mrs. Oyler. I’ll come back down before we leave.”
He’d stood as soon as Thea had, then followed her back up the stairs. “Why do you need to see the cook again?”
“Why, to reassure her she has a position. We can’t leave her without a job. After all, there is no point in saving people from one bad situation only to put them in another.”
Two more servants at least and a few houses; he should never have let Worthington talk him into allowing Thea to keep her own money. It would all be spent on charity. “You have a point.”
She stopped one step up from him, cupped his cheek, and lightly put her lips to his. “Thank you. I didn’t mean to make so much trouble for you.”
Slipping his arm around her, he teased her mouth open. Her tongue tangled with his as he tried to keep his desire under control. He must be going mad. All he could think was that this was worth every penny. “No trouble at all. We had better see how everyone else is doing.”
