“Very good,” Mr. Brunswick said, as he stepped down and came around to lift Victoria to the ground. “If you must walk him, do so only in a circle to the corner yonder and back to this place. No more than four times. Two times for each of you. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
Brunswick gestured for Victoria to lead the way. Therefore, she straightened her shoulders and strode towards the house’s door. Climbing the steps, she used her key to let herself into the main door. Immediately, Mrs. Taylor appeared in the doorway. “Ah, my dear, I was so worried for you. I was quite pleased to view you coming up the steps.” The lady eyed Mr. Brunswick with interest.
“I have only come for my belongings. A cousin has agreed to assist me and the child,” Victoria said, though she did not approve of lying. However, she understood the importance of keeping her good name. Cassandra had already destroyed most of the family.
“A cousin?” Mrs. Taylor asked in surprise. “I did not know you had a cousin who could afford a servant.”
“I collapsed on my journey yesterday and was quite exhausted. My cousin was summoned. You see, I had his card on my person. He was the one who presented me with the umbrella that day in the rain a month or so back. You recall the large umbrella, do you not?”
“Of course I do, dearie,” Mrs. Taylor said. “And your cousin is a…”
“An earl, but I shan’t be residing with him,” Victoria was quick to say. “He has found me a place with three rooms. He owns manyproperties in London, but I shall stay in this one until he has a need of it or until I locate Cassandra. Like my father, his lordship’s father was also a vicar before the earldom was passed down to him. In fact, one of his associate’s fathers studied at Oxford with mine when they were younger. It is so wonderful to know there is still kindness in this world.”
“We should hurry along, Miss Whitchurch,” Mr. Brunswick prompted.
“Of course, come along, Mr. Brunswick. We cannot ignore our responsibilities on ‘Gracechurch Street,’” she said with emphasis. Though she knew she should not, Victoria was beginning to enjoy this deception. What that said about her character was debatable, but a hint of joy remained.
“Gracechurch Street?” Mrs. Taylor asked. “I never heard of an earl living on Gracechurch Street, at least not for several centuries.”
“Did I say his lordship lived on Gracechurch Street?” Victoria asked with a lift of her brows. “I can guarantee all his family lives in Mayfair.”
As she climbed the stairs, a large smile claimed her lips and a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. It was a nice change to be in charge of her own destiny. At least this decision was hers rather than having her choices be determined by another. Although she knew she was being petty, a feeling of which she was confident her father would disapprove, when she finished her packing, Victoria was happy to present the half loaf of bread and a jar of honey to Mrs. Taylor. Not a crumb was left for Mrs. Holland.
