“She did?”
“Yes; I wouldn’t want to live with rats, either.” Mrs. Carter shuddered. “I can’t imagine the feeling of them crawling over me at night.”
Evie gave her a pointed look. “I told my aunt all about your rat infestation at the orphanage.”
“Yes, we do have rats,” Georgie replied honestly.
Mrs. Carter reached for her teacup on the table. “It must be a relief that the rats remain on the first level so as not to bother the girls.”
“It is most fortunate,” Georgie murmured. It was a ridiculous notion, but she decided it would be best to remain silent on the matter.
Evie pointed towards the teapot on the tray. “Would you care for a cup of tea?”
“I would love one,” Georgie said eagerly. “I haven’t had a good cup of tea since I arrived at the orphanage.”
Mrs. Carter gestured towards a chair. “Why don’t you have a seat so we may become more acquainted?”
“I would like that,” Georgie said as she accepted the proffered seat.
Evie poured a cup of tea and extended the cup and saucer to her.
Georgie took a long, lingering drink, and let out a sigh when she brought her cup down to the saucer. “I have missed this.”
Mrs. Carter gave her an amused look. “Evie was rather cryptic on how you became the headmistress at an orphanage.”
Georgie decided that it would be best to be honest with Mrs. Carter. “I found it preferable to marrying a man of my brother’s choosing.”
“Your brother being Lord Wakefield?” Mrs. Carter asked.
Georgie’s eyes grew wide, and she found that she was at a loss for words.
Mrs. Carter placed her teacup down onto the table. “I should explain that you are quite the likeness of your mother, Lady Wakefield. She was my dear friend.”
Evie shifted in her chair to face her aunt. “I can explain,” she rushed out.
Mrs. Carter shook her head. “I am not a simpleton, dear. I may not be a rat expert, but even I know that rats go wherever they want. They don’t just remain on the lower levels.” She arched an eyebrow. “Something else is going on here, and I would prefer the truth.”
“It is not my story to tell,” Evie said.
“But it is mine, and I believe your aunt deserves to know the truth.” Georgie took a sip of her tea before saying, “I left my home because my brother wanted to force me into a marriage with Lord Ransdale. When I refused, he beat me, and it wasn’t the first time.”
“But you are clearly in mourning,” Mrs. Carter said, perusing her black gown.
“That matters very little to my brother.”
“Do you have no other family you could go to for help?”
“I’m afraid not. They would all turn me over to my brother,” Georgie replied. “In a few months, I will reach my majority and receive my inheritance.”
Mrs. Carter nodded her understanding. “So you are hiding from your brother until you can gain access to your own funds.”
“Precisely; but he has been rather determined to bring me home,” Georgie said. “He was able to discover my whereabouts.”
“I invited Georgie to reside here at night so I can keep her safe,” Evie interjected. “Lord Wakefield wouldn’t dare send his ruffians to our townhouse.”
“What if he brings the magistrate and demands that we turn his sister over to him?” Mrs. Carter asked. “We will have little choice in the matter.”
“That is why no one knows that Miss Holbrooke is here. The household staff will only know her as Miss Lloyd so they won’t have to lie,” Evie said.
