Along with Sebastian’s driver. Gabby restrained her irritation. “Hello, Daniel. I thought you were with Sebastian.”
He shot her an unabashed grin. Her brother’s driver had known her long before her days at Miss Greensley’s. He’d even assisted her in some of her more tame escapades through her early years. “He took his own mount today.” He stood next to the hack.
“Daniel, Lady Huntley and I would greatly appreciate your discretion on taking public transportation today,” Rebecca said.
His shrewd gaze went from Rebecca to Gabby, stopping on Mabel. “Will your destination put you in danger?”
“Absolutely not.” Gabby’s and Rebecca’s voices sounded in unison.
“How long will you be?” he inquired. His tone was all that was polite.
“Approximately an hour,” Rebecca said quickly.
“I shall give you an hour and a half.” He opened the door, where a putrid smell permeating the air wafted out.
“Thank you.” Rebecca took his hand and got in. Mabel went next.
“The same goes for discretion regarding Huntley,” Gabby warned him. She could make Daniel’s life miserable. “We won’t be long, and there is no reason for Huntley’s interference.”
“Ninety minutes, milady.” But his eyes sparkled with mischief.
The door latched behind her. “Wait for the ladies,” he said to the coachman, then banged on the side of the hack.
It jolted into motion.
The drive to Hope House didn’t take long at all. They could have walked faster than it would have taken through London’s horrendous traffic, but walking just wasn’t done, and the point of this juncture was in not drawing unwanted attention. The hack drew close to a large aging brownstone then down a short drive. They drove past the large oaks and a few elms that framed the portico around to the back. Rebecca led Mabel and Gabby up the stairs to the servants’ entrance where they were met by an older woman. “Your Grace.” Her voice was heavily accented. Scottish. Gabby loved the Scots.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Keir.” Rebecca handed off her cloak, indicating Gabby and Mabel do the same. “May I present my sister-in-law, Lady Huntley, and our charge, Miss Mabel Clark. We require a quick tour of the premises. We shall also need a chamber prepared for Miss Clark. She hails from the theater. Is that correct, Miss Clark?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Her voice came out a whimper. Gabby grabbed her hand and squeezed.
“We’ll have tea in the parlor following our tour, Mrs. Keir.”
“Very good, Your Grace.”
“Any luck finding a cook?”
“Aye, she’s done taken over the kitchens.”
“Excellent.” Rebecca led the tour.
The large house showed it needed plenty of work, and that much of the work was already underway. There were three levels, all with the usual chambers: ballroom, large dining hall, and plenty of smaller rooms that had once served as servants’ quarters. Those were being renovated for classrooms. Rebecca turned to Mabel. “Do you have any particular skills that could be used to instruct others?”
“I read French and Latin quite well.”
“Excellent news, Miss Clark. You should fit in quite nicely, should you choose to stay.”
“Are others living here?” Mabel’s eyes were huge as she surveyed their surroundings.
“A couple, but you are among the first, my dear. A house such as this has long been a dream of Lady Huntley’s and mine,” Rebecca said softly.
“The house is perfect, Rebecca,” Gabby said. “Let us retire to the parlor to talk. We have questions for you, Mabel. Nothing quite so painful,” she added quickly, at the instant wariness that covered her face.
Rebecca put her arm through Mabel’s, leading the way.
“Lady Huntley is going to acquire a seamstress, so you should soon have a new frock or two to wear.” Rebecca took them through a long, winding hall. “I understand you are in the family way, Miss Clark. I wish to reassure you that there is no hurry for you to leave. Should you want to stay, you are more than welcome. If staying is not to your liking, we are confident we can locate another place—situation, if you will—for you. One in the country even, should you prefer. But I’ll reiterate, there is no hurry on deciding along those lines.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. But how is this possible? It takes blunt to eat and live… I-I have neither.”
