“Please, have a seat,” Adelia offered, going to the bell pull to request tea.
When she turned back, Miss Moore hadn’t moved a muscle. Sighing, Adelia approached her, took hold of her arm, and led her to the sofa.
“It’s all right, really. Tea is tea, don’t you think? No matter if it is served in a mug or a porcelain cup.”
Adelia had to shove her slightly to get her to sit before taking a seat in her favorite wing chair.
“How did you arrive? By hackney?”
Miss Moore nodded and said nothing further. After Meg brought in the tea tray and served, Adelia decided she’d given Thomas’s so-called friend plenty of time to collect herself.
“Come now, Miss Moore, you cannot be so overtaken by a luxuriously appointed room that your intellect dwindles to the that of a hedgehog.”
That got her attention. The young woman took a deep breath.
“I am sorry. You are right, my lady. But only think, Thomas wants me to live here and be mistress of such. Me!”
“Yes, only think. You!” Adelia tried to keep her tone pleasant, but she was simmering with anger. “And what will your family in Romford think about that?”
“Oh, they will be ever so pleased. Naturally, my mum would be equally happy for me with any man I found who truly loved me.”
Adelia nodded. “And whomyoulove in return. With all your heart.”
“Of course,” Miss Moore agreed.
“And what about Mr. Beaumont? Will he be pleased?” Adelia asked, her tone sharp.
Miss Moore’s enthusiasm faltered, and her expression became guarded.
For goodness sake,Adelia thought.Do not start lying to my face.It would be too much to bear.
The young woman’s cheeks turned pink, and she said, “Mr. Beaumont can go to the devil!”
Adelia knew she heard her right, but why? “I beg your pardon.”
“I know you all think the world of him, and maybe he has done well for Smythe Coal, as Thomas has said, but I don’t trust him.”
“And you know him, do you not? Is he related to you?”
Miss Moore’s eyes widened again. “How did you know?
“I know only that he has ties to Romford, as do you,” Adelia told her. “Why don’t you tell me the rest?”Before I toss you out on your money-grubbing rump!
Miss Moore nodded. “His cousin married my sister. She’s very happy, and my brother-in-law is a nice man. When I came to London to work, Mr. Beaumont paid me a visit.”
Adelia poured the tea, so she had something to do. In her heart, she was dreading hearing the rest. However, after handing Miss Moore a saucer and teacup, she said, “Go on.”
“Mr. Beaumont said he was only looking out for me as family does. Then he told me to go to a particular shop on Bond Street for good gloves and a bonnet. He said I would get farther in the world with both.” She touched her hand to her head, where a plain but stylish bonnet was perched.
“Curious of him,” Adelia said, noticing Miss Moore had neglected to remove her gloves as was customary.
“He…he gave me money,” she confessed.
Adelia had feared as much. “To do what?” Her voice was brittle, and her throat was dry as autumn leaves.
“To buy the bonnet and gloves,” Miss Moore began, staring into the cup of tea. Finally, her gaze rose to Adelia’s. “And to stay in the shop until I saw your brother and spoke with him.”
All the air left the room.Poor Thomas. Duped and swindled by this woman and her brother-in-law’s cousin!
