Page 87 of The Muse of Maiden Lane

Again, both her friends spoke in unison.

“You could never be a burden!” Julia cried.

“Did your brother say that to you?” Evie demanded.

“He did,” Stella admitted. Daniel’s unkind remark lingered in her heart, a pernicious bruise that refused to heal. It didn’t just sadden her. It made her doubt her worth.

That was the power of words. Especially harsh words from someone you’d once loved.

All Stella could do was ignore the pain. Ignore the doubt.

She lifted her chin. “It doesn’t matter anymore. That part of my life is over. I must make my own way now, and I’m resolved to do it. It only remains for me to find a suitable employer.” She gave Evie a hopeful look. “Might Mr. Malik know of someone?”

Evie’s brows knit. “He does have rather a lot of wealthy old widows patronizing his shop at present. I could certainly ask him if any of them might require a companion.”

“And I suppose I could ask my parents,” Julia said, rising to the occasion. “They know every medical man in the city, and have countless invalids among their acquaintance. There must be one among their number who’s searching for a companion.”

Stella was both grateful and humbled by her friends’ efforts to rally around her. “Thank you,” she said. “Both of you. You’re splendid, truly.”

Julia brought Cossack up closer to Stella. “Are you sure it’s what you want?”

“It is,” Stella said, more confidently than she felt. Locket pranced beneath her, blowing out air from her trembling nostrils. She sensed Stella’s secret anxiety. There was no way of hiding it. Stella stroked the mare’s neck to soothe her. But only a gallop would suffice.

Hephaestus tossed his head in a wordless expression of agreement. Cossack seconded the sentiment with a swish of his tail.

“Shall we let them have their heads again before it gets too crowded?” Stella asked.

She didn’t wait for her friends to answer. Leaning forward in her leather sidesaddle, she set her left heel lightly against Locket’s side. The mare responded to the cue like a lightning strike from the sky. Any thought that Evie and Julia had about interrogating Stella further about her uncertain future was drowned out by the thundering of hooves as their horses, too, sprang into action.

Teddy arrived at Brown’s Hotel on Albemarle Street on Monday afternoon at two o’clock precisely. He wore a loose-fitting melton wool driving coat over his dark waistcoat and trousers. He’d driven straight there from Half Moon Street and, on arriving, had left his wagonette in the charge of one of the hotel footmen.

Brown’s was a luxurious establishment—rather like a richly understated country house—all dark paneled walls and elegantly carpeted floors, with fashionable people drifting through the halls. Jennings held the door open for Teddy as Teddy wheeled his chair into the hotel’s public drawing room.

Stella awaited him there, perched on the edge of a lavishly upholstered hotel chair. She wasn’t alone. A lady and gentleman waited with her, seated beside each other on the settee across from her. Stella’s hosts, presumably—Captain and Mrs. Blunt.

Mrs. Blunt was a young woman—blue eyed, raven haired, and petite. Her husband towered over her, dark and forbidding. He had a jagged scar across his face.

Catching sight of Teddy, Stella’s face betrayed a flicker of relief. She stood as he came to join them, smoothing a self-conscious hand over her carriage dress. It was made of plain, tobacco-colored silk, trimmed in a modest flashing of black velvet.

Captain and Mrs. Blunt rose from the settee to stand alongside her.

“Miss Hobhouse,” Teddy said, with an inclination of his head.

“Mr. Hayes.” Stella dropped a brief curtsy. “May I present my friends, Mrs. Blunt and her husband, Captain Blunt?”

“Mr. Hayes.” Captain Blunt bowed.

“Mr. Hayes.” Mrs. Blunt regarded Teddy with frank curiosity. “How do you do?”

“Captain. Ma’am.” Teddy gave an approximation of a bow. “A pleasure.”

Mrs. Blunt stepped closer. “You’re an artist, is that correct? And have come all the way from Paris.”

“By way of Devon,” Teddy replied. “I was lately on the coast visiting friends.”

Captain Blunt frowned. “You’re staying with Mr. Finchley in Half Moon Street?”

“I am, sir,” Teddy said. “I often do when I’m in town. My sister’s husband is something like a brother to Mr. Finchley.”