Haddington pulled out a chair and sat down. “We can see that, but it doesn’t explain why you appear to be in a churlish mood.”
William placed his empty glass onto the table. “If you must know, I was thinking about Miss Lloyd.”
“Ah, the lovely headmistress,” Haddington said.
“How do you know she is lovely?” William asked.
Haddington shrugged. “I just assumed, considering the amount of time you have dedicated towards her.”
“I have done no such thing,” William responded. “I am just ensuring the orphanage is running efficiently.”
With a smirk on his lips, Haddington said, “You are in denial, my friend.”
Hawthorne motioned towards a server passing by, indicating they needed drinks. “What did Miss Lloyd do this time?”
William frowned. “She doesn’t trust me.”
“That doesn’t surprise me, since you did dismiss her as the headmistress,” Haddington said.
“But I promptly hired her back,” William contended.
Haddington chuckled. “My apologies. I don’t understand why Miss Lloyd isn’t falling at your feet.”
“I don’t want her falling at my feet.” William glanced at the empty tables around him before he said, “What I am about to reveal must stay in the strictest confidence.”
Haddington and Hawthorne both nodded their heads, their expressions solemn.
William leaned forward in his chair. “Miss Lloyd revealed that she ran away from her brother to escape an arranged marriage and his heavy hand.”
“I find that brave,” Haddington said.
“As do I,” Hawthorne agreed, “but I thought you said Miss Lloyd didn’t trust you. Why would she take you into her confidence?”
William shrugged, then sighed. “I know there is more to the story, but Miss Lloyd remains secretive about it,” he said. “It is very aggravating.”
“What else could she be hiding?” Haddington asked.
“It could be a myriad of things,” William replied, “but I do suspect that Miss Lloyd isn’t her real name.”
“It’s not,” Hawthorne said.
William turned on his friend. “How do you know that?”
“When Dinah went to the orphanage with her sister, Evie recognized Miss Lloyd from last Season,” Hawthorne revealed.
“And you didn’t think that was important for me to know?” William growled.
“It was not my secret to share,” Hawthorne said.
William clenched his jaw. “I suppose you won’t reveal her name to me.”
Hawthorne shook his head. “I’m afraid not, but she isn’t lying about her brother. He was trying to force her into marriage with a scoundrel.”
“How did you discover that?” William asked.
“I made some inquiries.”
William lifted his brow, but Hawthorne merely returned his stare.
