A white glove rose, stopping her. The man stood aside so she could enter. He carried over a salver. She opened her reticule and pretended to search it.
“I am sorry. I left my calling cards at home. How careless of me,” she said. “Just tell them it is the landlord’s daughter.”
Unimpressed, the servant walked away.
Padua sat on a leather bench in the reception hall. There were several along the walls. She thought it a rather masculine way to decorate an entry.
The servant returned. His white glove beckoned. She followed him.
He took her to a chamber set up like an office, with desk and chairs and bookcases. She guessed it was the butler’s pantry. She hoped the servant had not fobbed her off on the staff. She really wanted to speak to the tenants.
She sat in the chair the glove indicated. He left her alone. The house seemed very quiet for midday. Perhaps the family was not in residence.
She waited a good while. Finally the door opened. A woman walked in, wearing a lovely morning dress of gray wool with black embroidery. The color complemented her red hair. Padua judged her to be aroundfifty years in age. Not the housekeeper, if she wore dresses like that.
“Miss Belvoir, I am Mrs. Lavender. I believe I can help you, if anyone can. Forgive me for the delay. I had not dressed yet.”
“I apologize for the intrusion. It is kind of you to see me.”
Mrs. Lavender sat in a chair near Padua’s. “You told Hector your father is indisposed. He is not ill, I hope.”
“No, not ill as such. Just having a spell. I confess I came here partly out of curiosity. I did not know my father owned London property.” She looked up at the ceiling. “It is very large.”
“We find it comfortable. The rent is reasonable, but fair, if you are concerned someone has taken advantage of Mr. Belvoir. He is, I know, not the sort to inspire confidence in his business sense.”
“You have met him, then? I thought perhaps it had been let through an agent.”
“We were here when he inherited. We have been here a good long while, you see.”
“I suppose any children are grown, then.”
Mrs. Lavender just looked at her and smiled.
“Would it be possible to see the house? I know it is asking a lot, but—”
“But it may be yours soon, so you are curious.”
“Yes. Very curious.”
Mrs. Lavender narrowed her eyes. Her hesitation was obvious.
“Not every chamber,” Padua said. “I do not want to interfere with your family’s day.”
“I will show you every inch if you want. However, this is not a family’s home, Miss Belvoir. Not in the normal sense of a family. Young ladies live here.”
“Is it a school?”
“Not in the normal sense that word is used, no.”
Padua’s head turned blank. Mrs. Lavender watched her closely.
“I don’t understand.”
“Of course you don’t. Miss Belvoir, this is a place of business. My place of business. The young ladies provide services for which gentlemen—”
“Oh.”Padua felt her face heating. “You mean, this is a—a—”
“Yes.”
