He shifted in his stance, looking uncomfortable. “I… uh… was wondering if I could call on you at Miss Ashmore’s townhouse, to ensure you are all settled in.”
“I would like that very much.”
“Very good, then.” He held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary before saying, “Good day, Miss Lloyd.”
Georgie kept her gaze on the empty doorway, wondering what had just transpired. Lord Grenton must hold her in some regard if he wanted to call on her at Miss Ashmore’s townhouse. Or perhaps she was reading too much into his kind gesture?
William sat at his desk as he read through his correspondence. He had many hours of work ahead of him, but he found his thoughts kept straying towards Miss Lloyd. He couldn’t believe he had spoken to her about his sister. He rarely spoke about Eleanor; it was much easier that way.
So why had he brought her up to Miss Lloyd, someone who didn’t even trust him with her real name?
He knew he could be standoffish, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t help a lady in need. The fact that he hadn’t fired Miss Lloyd proved just that. He had every reason to, yet he couldn’t bring himself to do so. He didn’t want her gone. He enjoyed her company. She was lively, stubborn, and quick to smile. Furthermore, she cared deeply for the girls at the orphanage, and she advocated for them. He had never met a young woman like her before.
Although, he meant what he had said before. He was not a patient man. He refused to sit back and wait for Miss Lloyd to tell him the truth. He would root it out on his own.
His butler stepped into the room and announced, “Mr. Mason has arrived, my lord.”
“Send him in.”
A moment later, Mr. Mason stepped into his room with a satchel over his arm. “Good afternoon, my lord. I received word that you wished to see me.”
“Yes,” William said, motioning towards the chair in front of his desk. “Please have a seat.”
Mr. Mason sat down and set his satchel near his feet. “I brought the documents that you need to sign.”
“We will get to that, but first I need to speak to you about something important.”
“Which is?”
William leaned forward in his seat. “Do you know Miss Lloyd’s real identity?”
Mr. Mason’s face blanched. “I do.”
“Will you kindly tell me her name so we can end this ruse?” William asked.
“I cannot do that.”
William lifted his brow. “I beg your pardon?” he asked. “Do I need to remind you that you work for me, Mr. Mason?”
“I know, and I am grateful for this job, but I can’t betray Miss Lloyd’s confidence.”
William knew he needed to switch tactics to get Mr. Mason to reveal the truth. “Pray tell, did your sister tell you about the ill treatment that Miss Lloyd received at the hand of her brother?”
Mr. Mason nodded. “She did. She was convinced that Miss Lloyd’s brother would kill her if we didn’t intercede.”
“I understand that she also left to avoid an arranged marriage.”
“You seem remarkably informed.”
“Miss Lloyd has confided some things to me, but she won’t tell me her real name,” William said. “I want to help her, but I am unable to do so without knowing the whole truth.”
“It might be best if you left things the way they are.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that because her brother wants her back. He has hired a Bow Street Runner to bring her home, by any means necessary.”
“I hadn’t realized.”
“The Runner broke into the orphanage last night and tried to abduct her,” William shared. “She was able to scare him off with her muff pistol.”
