“I am honored,” William said with a slight bow to the matron.
Miss Ashmore reached for the teapot on the tray. “May I offer you some tea, my lord?”
“No, thank you,” William replied. “I do not intend to stay long.”
“That is a shame,” Miss Ashmore responded as she released the teapot.
William turned his attention towards Miss Holbrooke. “I came to ensure that you have settled in.”
“I only just arrived a short time ago,” Miss Holbrooke said, “and I have been getting acquainted with Mrs. Carter.”
“I’m sure it’s been a pleasurable use of your time.” Lord Grenton took a step closer to her. “Will you be at the orphanage tomorrow?”
“I intend to,” Miss Holbrooke confirmed.
“Wonderful.” Why was he feeling nervous? There was no need, yet he felt like a blubbering idiot.
Miss Holbrooke looked expectantly at him. “Can I expect you at the orphanage tomorrow?”
“I will be there.”
“I shall have something to look forward to.” He doubted she had meant to say those words out loud, because a flush formed on her cheeks.
William didn’t want to embarrass her, so he decided it would be best to change topics. “How did the girls respond to the tutors?”
“Very well, my lord.”
He bobbed his head in approval. “I shall have to witness this for myself when I visit.”
“I would expect nothing less from you.”
William’s eyes briefly roamed her beautiful face, and he noticed a wayward piece of hair had slipped out of her tight chignon. He had the errant desire to step forward and tuck it behind her ear, to see if the skin of her cheek was as soft as it looked, but thankfully sanity prevailed. “Well, I have business I need to see to. I shall bid you a goodnight.”
“Allow me to walk you to the main door,” Miss Holbrooke offered.
“I would appreciate that.” He tipped his head at Miss Ashmore and Mrs. Carter as Miss Holbrooke approached. He offered his arm to her and was pleased when she placed her hand on his sleeve.
They walked out of the drawing room in silence, and William knew he only had a few minutes alone with Miss Holbrooke. He needed to use the time to his advantage.
Leaning closer, he said, “I know your secret.”
Her gaze remained straight ahead. “Which is?”
“I discovered your name.”
Miss Holbrooke withdrew her hand and turned to face him. “May I ask how you did so?”
“It doesn’t matter, now, does it?”
“I suppose not.” In a voice barely above a whisper, she asked, “Now that you know the truth, what do you intend to do with it?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
She pressed her lips together. “You must promise me that you won’t go anywhere near my brother. He is a bad man, and he will use you to get to me.”
“I am sure that your brother can be reasoned with, Miss Holbrooke.”
“No. He once killed his own horse because it reared up and upended him,” Miss Holbrooke fervently shared. “He was so furious that he took out his pistol and shot it.”
