Lord Graham shrugged nonchalantly. “As one of Duncan’s sons, when executing a task for the British government, I am often required to respond as such.”
“I would never have survived any of this madness if Lord Orson had not brought me to Lord Duncan’s notice. You have all been kinder to me than I could have expected.”
“If we are agreed,” Graham said, ignoring her compliment, though Emma knew it had meant a great deal to him, “then let us stop first at Mrs. Ottoway’s boarding house.”
When she nodded her agreement, Graham opened the hatch to provide Lord Beaufort’s coachman with the directions.
“You may take the woman’s acquaintance,” he told Emma, when he returned to their conversation, “and, later, I will send my carriage back for her. I am thinking of the Mirvat, which is quite exclusive. It has been open only a matter of months. It is in Mayfair, so you should be familiar with the streets, but I would prefer you not go out unless one of the Duncan family accompanies you. No gentlemen will be shown to your quarters; in fact, there is a private sitting room on a separate floor. You would be required to go down to greet them.”
“What of Mr. Rheem?” she asked.
“I will attempt to clear Mr. Rheem with the management, but we may be required to make different arrangements for the surgeon,” Lord Graham stated. Within a half hour, the carriage rolled to a stop before a respectable-looking lodging house in an equally impressive neighborhood. Emma knew little of such lodgings, but she knew enough to know that Lord Graham had taken special care of his former employee. The idea pleased Emma greatly. “Come, Lady Emma,” he said after he had crawled down from the coach and reached a hand back to her. “I wish you to have the acquaintance of Mrs. Ottoway. After this matter is finished, perhaps you might consider employing thelady. Mrs. Nadine Ottoway would be an asset to any household, and you obviously require someone you may trust.”
