“Then why hasn’t he paid his debts?”
“I can’t answer that.”
Evie stepped away from the window and remarked, “You were wise to disassociate yourself from Lord Wakefield. He is not a good man.”
Georgie forced her hand to remain at her side instead of rising up to her cheek as she remembered the last time she’d seen him. “I know that all too well.”
“I think it would be best if you remained at the orphanage until I can throw the Bow Street Runner off your scent.”
“How will you do that?”
“A few well-placed lies should do the trick,” Evie said. “I know people who will help fabricate and spread the story.”
“May I ask how you are associated with these people?”
Evie gave her an amused look. “It would be best if you didn’t know.” She glanced at the closed door before asking, “What of Mrs. Hughes?”
“What about her?”
“Do you think she might have discovered the truth about who you are and tipped off your brother?”
“I wouldn’t put it past her, but I have been careful about concealing my true identity,” Georgie said.
Evie’s eyes grew wary. “I would be cautious around Mrs. Hughes if I were you. There is something about her that I don’t fully trust.”
“Just something?” Georgie asked. “I don’t trust her whole person.”
“Good point.” Evie went to open the door. “Shall we practice your shooting in the courtyard?”
“I think I have fairly good aim.”
Evie laughed. “Perhaps for a drunken bear.”
“Surely I cannot be that bad.”
“You are better than my sister,” Evie conceded. “She doesn’t like the loud noise of the discharge.”
“It does take some time to get accustomed to it.”
“That it does, but perfecting your aim could mean the difference between life and death,” Evie said before departing from the study.
Georgie sat in her chair as she reviewed the ledger. She took a deep breath and listened to the quiet around her. In the distance, she could hear the smallest hint of the girls’ going about their chores.
Wilson stepped into the room and announced, “A Miss Francis Walter is here to see you.”
“Please send her in,” Georgie instructed as she closed the ledger and placed it to the side.
A moment later, a tall, thin woman, wearing a brown, unassuming dress, stepped into the room. She had her hair pulled back into a tight chignon, emphasizing her dainty nose.
“Good morning,” Miss Walter greeted. “I do hope I did not arrive too early.”
“There is no such thing at an orphanage.” Georgie pointed towards the chair that was facing the desk, indicating that she should sit.
Miss Walter sat down, her back rigid. “I am responding to your advertisement for a tutor.”
“I assumed as much.”
Reaching into her bag, Miss Walter pulled out a folded sheet of paper. “I do have a letter from Lord Matthew. He was most insistent on providing me with a reference.”
