“The man who attacked me at the market said he was there to take me home, that he’d been hired by my brother,” Miss Lloyd replied.
“How did you escape?”
“Evie pointed a pistol at the man and made him release me.”
Uncrossing his arms, William asked, “What would have happened if he’d tried to take you while you were here? Do you not suppose that your actions put this orphanage at risk?”
“That was never my intention. I was just trying to get as far away from my brother as I could,” Miss Lloyd said. “That’s why I accepted this position.”
William let out a frustrated huff. “I’m sorry your brother is a scoundrel, and as a gentleman, I feel it is my duty to help you. But how can I do that if you are not honest with me? You lied to me. How can I ever trust you?”
“I never lied to you,” she said. “I just didn’t tell you the full truth of the matter.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” he demanded. “Did my solicitor know, or did you withhold the truth from him, as well?”
Her eyes grew downcast. “He knew.”
“I shall deal with him later,” William said. “As for you, I don’t know what I am to do. You are not the person I thought you were.”
“I am the same person.”
A clearing of the throat came next to the door before Wilson stepped into the room with a piece of paper in his hand. “Pardon the interruption, but Mrs. Hughes provided the address for Mr. and Mrs. Willis.”
William waited until Miss Lloyd met his gaze before saying, “We shall continue this conversation when I return.”
“Yes, my lord,” Miss Lloyd replied.
William turned towards the butler and held his hand out. “The address, please.”
As Wilson placed it in his awaiting hand, he asked, “Would you care for me to accompany you, my lord?”
“I will see to this myself.”
William departed the orphanage and headed towards his coach, handing the address to the driver before he stepped inside. The vehicle merged into traffic, and William found himself growing increasingly annoyed. Miss Lloyd had lied to him, deceived him. How could she have not told him the truth?
She put the orphanage at risk, and that was unacceptable. The orphanage, his mother’s wish, was all that mattered to him. He would need to dismiss Miss Lloyd—again. But could he turn a blind eye and ignore Miss Lloyd’s plight? He meant what he’d said about being a gentleman. That meant something to him.
Blasted woman. He could no more turn her out than he could go on pretending that he didn’t hold her in some regard. What was he to do? Pretend that her lying did not affect him? He would need to have a frank conversation with her and root out the truth. He wouldn’t make a decision until he was presented with all of the facts.
The coach came to a stop in front of a townhouse. As he approached the main door, it opened, and he was greeted by a short, balding man.
“Good morning,” the butler said. “How may I help you?”
“Is Mr. Willis home?” William asked, extending his card.
The butler accepted it and replied, “I will see if he is available for callers, my lord.” He opened the door wide to let him enter.
William waited patiently in the modest entry hall as the butler disappeared into an adjacent room. He appeared a moment later and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Willis will see you now.”
William tipped his head in acknowledgement and headed into the drawing room. Mr. Willis was sitting near his wife, and they both wore bemused expressions.
The white-haired Mr. Willis rose and said, “To what do I owe the great honor of your visit, my lord?”
William stopped near an upholstered armchair. “I have come in regard to your new scullery maid, Sarah.”
Mrs. Willis frowned. “What did she do?” she asked, turning towards her husband. “I knew we should never have hired someone from an orphanage.”
Putting his hand up, William said, “I’m afraid you misunderstood me. I would like to collect her so I may return her to the orphanage.”
