Lord Grenton met Georgie’s gaze. “I have hired Miss Lloyd as the headmistress, and I will respect her decision.”
Mrs. Hughes tossed up her hands and declared, “You are going to ruin this orphanage with all of your grand notions.”
“I disagree,” Georgie said. “You will not send any girl away from this orphanage without my permission.”
“But…”
“No arguments,” Georgie declared. “Now, go retrieve the Willis’ address.”
With a huff, Mrs. Hughes departed from the room, not bothering to say another word.
Lord Grenton looked at her with questions in his eyes. “May I ask why you are retrieving Sarah?” he asked.
“I made her a promise,” she replied. “You should have seen the way Sarah’s eyes lit up when she learned that she was going to learn to read. I can’t just abandon her now.”
“But she is employed.”
“There will be other jobs.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Once she learns how to read, she will have greater opportunities than becoming a scullery maid,” Georgie insisted. “You must trust that I am doing right by these girls.”
Lord Grenton watched her for a moment before saying, “I do, but my patience does have its limits. Eventually, these girls will need to get jobs and leave the orphanage.”
“We are of the same mind, but today won’t be that day for Sarah.” Georgie came around the desk and asked, “Did you come by way of coach?”
“I did.”
“That is good,” Georgie said. “We should be on our way.”
ChapterTwelve
William saw the determined look in Miss Lloyd’s eyes, and he knew that she was in earnest, but what she was implying was preposterous.
Putting his hand up, he said, “I will go and retrieve Sarah.”
“Without me?” Georgie asked. “I think not.”
“It is entirely inappropriate for us to ride in the same coach,” William pointed out.
“Then I shall take a hackney.”
William lowered his hand. “Hackneys do not operate in this part of town. Furthermore, no hackney drivers would be foolish enough to pick up a woman as a fare.”
“There must be a way for me to accompany you.”
“I’m afraid not,” William replied. “You may not care a whit about your reputation, but I must think of mine.”
Miss Lloyd’s shoulders slumped slightly. “How do I know you will do everything in your power to retrieve Sarah?”
“You must trust me. I will explain the situation to Mr. Willis, and I have no doubt he will release Sarah to me.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Sarah is not their prisoner. Although I would be remiss to inform you that I will not force Sarah to return to the orphanage, either. If she would rather stay, then so be it.”
“Why would she?”
