Beresford grinned. “The Earl of Canbury does not own a house in London. When Parliament is in session, he stays at an inn near Carlton House. As such, he does not have room to house his daughter. Lady Adele has an aunt, the earl’s sister, who is not at present in London. Lady Adele has just been offered a position in the household of the Marquess of Winchester but has not officially accepted yet. For the time being, she is still at the Earl of Sweeney’s house, but he’s made inquiries about selling his house and intends to decamp back to his estate in the country as soon as possible.”
“Why the rush?” asked Lark.
Beresford whistled. “He must sell his house to settle his debts.”
“Of course,” said Lark.
“What sort of position?” asked Hugh.
“What?” said Lark.
“With the Marquess of Winchester. What sort of position was Adele offered?”
Beresford frowned. “As governess to Winchester’s youngest child.”
Hugh shook his head. He had no doubt Adele would excel in such a position, but it bothered him all the same.
“There’s something you’re not saying,” said Lark said to Beresford.
“I presented you with the facts. The rest is rumor and innuendo.”
“Let’s have it,” said Lark.
“Well, the inn is just across St. James Park from Westminster, which is only logical. Canbury has only to walk a short distance to be at Lords. He has a more or less permanent room reserved there, but again, it is only a room and does not leave space for Lady Adele.”
“But?” said Hugh, growing impatient.
“But it is also around the corner from a well-known molly house where the members are known to don the clothing of the opposite sex. Now, you know I think the rumors of Canbury being caught in public in ladies’ clothing are all made up by his political enemies, but if he’d been seen near that molly house, that might explain why the rumors have persisted.”
“Is Canbury amemberof this molly house?” Owen asked.
“I have not been able to determine that,” said Beresford. “There are rumors, but it’s hard to sift through what’s true and what is just nonsense made up by his rivals. And let me assure you, Canbury has a legion of enemies who likely sit around half the day wondering what nonsense they can make up to destroy him.”
“Could you not go into the molly house yourself and inquire?” asked Lark.
“I wouldnever,” said Beresford, though he was grinning. “Anyway, it doesn’t signify. The rumors are what they are.”
Hugh was still stuck on the position Adele had been offered. “She is anearl’s daughterand yet she is being made to work.”
“I know, but her options are few. Canbury has spent the last thirty years spending faster than he earns money and doesn’t have enough left to support his daughter. And so, if the Earl of Sweeney wants her out of the house, he has to find another place to put her.”
“She should stay with me.” The words were out of Hugh’s mouth before he could think it through, but the idea had merit. Why, he’d go down to the Sweeney house tomorrow morning and tell her to pack. If Sweeney wanted Adele out of his hair, Hugh would take her.
“What are you going to do?” asked Lark. “Have her stay with you as a guest?”
“That is a good way to get the scandal mill going,” said Beresford.
“My mother lives with me,” said Hugh. “What scandal?”
“You can’t just keep her in your house indefinitely,” said Lark.
“Then I’ll marry her.”
Everyone groaned. “You don’t know this woman,” said Owen.
“I know her well enough. I know that she is good and caring. I know she wants children even though she has essentially become a spinster. I know she can play chess. I know she reads a great deal and is intellectually curious and we have many things to talk about. This is more than most gents know about their wives when they marry.”
“Just make sure you are thinking through your decision,” said Fletcher.
