The older woman gasped. “You can’t be serious. You are allowingherto watch my grandchildren? Why, she’s a filthy vagabond.”
Trevor rolled his eyes. “Mother, do you honestly believe I would allow someone uneducated tend to the needs of the children?” He shook his head. “Since Louisa has been in my employ, I have noticed many things about her, and I truly think her skills are best used as a nursemaid for Adam and Amanda. They simply adore her, and she’s such a loving person.”
“Well, if you say she is a good person and capable of caring for the twins, then I trust your opinion.” Her hands twisted a white, laced handkerchief.
“Louisa is a good person, Mother.”
“Has she remembered anything of her past?”
He shrugged. “A few things, and out of those things, I’m led to believe she was raised with noble parents.”
“What things did she remember that made you believe?”
He told her about the dances she knew, and riding like an educated horsewoman. He told his mother how Louisa knew how to speak French, and how there was not one thing in his household that she could do, except care for the twins.
“I do understand.” The dowager leaned toward him. “Is she Lord Danver’s daughter as I suspected when I first met her?”
“No. I spoke to their nephew, Lord Wellesley not long ago, and he said he did have a cousin, but her name was Elizabeth.”
“What happened to her?”
“She drowned.”
“How very sad.”
“Indeed it is, but I’m still wondering who Louisa’s parents could have been. There are so many possibilities I wouldn’t know where to start.” Sighing, he ran his fingers through his hair. “Her parents could have died, and she could have been sent to an orphanage. Or perhaps she was raised with her grandparents, and they passed on. Or, heaven forbid, she could have been kidnapped.”
“Quite right, Trevor. And if it happened a while ago, who knows where she came from.”
“My thoughts precisely. I do not dare ask around, mainly because I would not know what to ask—or whom to ask.”
“So right. And if our search leads us nowhere, that would be very heartbreaking for her.”
“Indeed, it would.” He sat back against the cushioned chair. “Mother, if you will, please listen for any—” he hesitated, not really wanting to request this from his mother—“gossip you might hear that would be beneficial to Miss Louisa’s circumstances. You know how I loathe gossip, but in this case, we need any help we can find.”
“I wholeheartedly agree.” The dowager smiled. “Let’s pray we find something out very soon.”
The butler brought in tea and biscuits and set them on the table.
“Thank you, Bentley.”
As his mother poured, the butler laid some invitations on the table. “Your Grace, these came this morning.”
“Thank you again, Bentley.” She handed Trevor a cup before turning back to the invitations and sorting through them.
“Anything promising?” he asked before sipping his lemon tea.
“A few.” She stopped on one and her eyes widened. “Oh, here is one from Lady Freeman. She’s having a weekend party at herestate.” His mother’s forehead creased. “So I wonder why she’s inviting me?”
Trevor chuckled. “Is the invitation addressed to only you or is Tristan’s name on there?”
She turned over the card then laughed. “Oh, I see now. Yes, Tristan has been invited. I’m certain Lord and Lady Freeman are in hopes of getting their daughter married soon.”
“I would think so. The poor girl has been out five seasons already.”
“Yes, the poor thing. Even with as many people as she’s been introduced to, she still cannot find a husband.” She paused for a moment then suddenly gasped and faced Trevor. “Oh, heavens. I think I have a solution to Miss Louisa’s dilemma.”
“Pray, what could that be?”
