Hugh shoved back his chair. “Gentlemen, it is time that I depart so I can get to work.”
“Again, gambling is not work,” Hawthorne said. “It is a game of chance, and your luck will eventually run out.”
Hugh held his arms out wide. “It hasn’t yet.”
As Hugh walked away, Hawthorne shook his head. “When will my brother learn?”
“He is young,” Haddington remarked. “Give him time.”
“There is so much anger bottled up inside of him,” Hawthorne said. “I worry what will happen when it finally gets released.”
William tossed back his drink. “Sometimes anger is the only thing that drives a man forward.” He rose. “I also have work I need to see to.”
“Stay for another round,” Haddington encouraged.
“I have tarried long enough,” William replied. “I bid you a goodnight.”
ChapterSeven
The alley blocked most of the morning sun, but enough made its way through the window as Georgie sat at her desk, reading through the newssheets. How she had missed this! Charles had banned her from reading the morning newspaper, including the Society page, because he felt she was far too opinionated for a woman. He also removed books from the library if he felt they had questionable content.
Living with Charles had been intolerable. She could finally breathe now that she wasn’t under his scrutiny, or his heavy hand. She had no doubt that her parents would be saddened by Charles’s ill treatment towards her. They had raised her to have her own voice, but Charles wanted to take that away from her, just as he wanted to force her to succumb to his will.
Free of his smothering ways and with a fierce determination to get to know the children, she approached mealtimes with an animated spirit. It had clearly shocked her charges at first, but Georgie crossed the space with easy conversation, and the girls soon became lively, asking questions about what her life had been like before coming to the orphanage and answering a few that she asked in return.
She smiled as she thought about some of the things they had said. Their different personalities had become more evident as they talked, and Georgie could see that they’d all been gifted in different ways. Some of the girls lifted others up, revealing something wonderful about a quieter friend. Others gave helpful instruction in caring for themselves or completing chores. Georgie had even seen one pass the rest of her food to another, insisting that she was full when she noticed the other staring dejectedly at her empty plate.
Wilson stepped into the office, and she was brought from her memories back into the present.
“Lady Hawthorne and Miss Ashmore would like a moment of your time,” he said.
Georgie’s heart dropped at the unexpected news. She wasn’t acquainted with Lady Hawthorne, but she had befriended a Miss Ashmore at a ball last Season. Surely it couldn’t be her; that would be too great of a coincidence. Wouldn’t it be?
“Will you show them in?” Georgie asked, half-hoping that they would turn on their heel and leave the orphanage.
Wilson tipped his head before he departed.
Georgie smoothed down her black gown as she tried to assure herself that Ashmore was a common name and that she had nothing to worry about.
As she watched the ladies walk into the room, the smile on her lips froze, and unease clenched her stomach like a fist.
Miss Ashmore stared at her. “Georgie?” she asked. “Whatever are you doing here?”
Georgie rose. “I…uh… am the headmistress.”
“But I thought a Miss Lloyd was the headmistress,” Miss Ashmore said with a baffled expression.
“She is, I mean, I am,” Georgie rushed out. “But I can explain!”
“I am all ears,” Miss Ashmore said.
Georgie gestured towards the chair as she hurried to close the door. “Would anyone care to sit?” When no one moved, she continued. “I know what you must be thinking…”
“I surely doubt that,” Miss Ashmore stated.
“…but you must know that I truly had no choice,” Georgie continued. “It was a matter of life or death for me.”
Lady Hawthorne glanced between them, a bemused look on her face. “Perhaps we should start from the beginning,” she encouraged. “Why don’t you tell me your real name?”
