His words made me feel uncomfortable, but whether it was because it was Alec saying them about another man, or because I didn’t want the duke to pursue me, I wasn’t sure.
It didn’t take long to reach the register office, but they had not opened for the day, so Alec took me to a café across the road, and we had eggs, toast, and coffee. We didn’t talk about the ball the night before, or the plans Aunt Maude had for the upcoming season. Instead, we talked about our childhoods. I told him what it was like growing up in Five Points and he told me about his life in Boston.
“My father was a minister,” he said. “I always felt I was being scrutinized by his congregation, but I didn’t mind too much. There were some good people who surrounded our family and loved both my parents and me. They provided clothes and food when we were running short and made me feel like they valued my father.”
“Clothes and food?” I frowned. “Wasn’t your mother from a wealthy family?”
He nodded as he held his mug of coffee in hand. “My grandfather disapproved of my father and his profession. He warned my mother that if she married him, he would cut her off and that’s exactly what he did. Uncle Edmund inherited everything. But he and Aunt Maude had no children, so he began to sponsor my education and left his business to me.”
“I didn’t realize—”
“That I also grew up poor?” He smiled, though it was sad. “Perhaps not in the same way as you, but we often went without food or heat until someone stepped forward and provided for us. Father wasn’t a proud man, but he didn’t like begging for charity, either. God was—and is—a faithful provider. We neversuffered long and now I ensure that my parents have a monthly stipend that guarantees they are never cold or hungry again.”
“They’re both still alive?”
“Yes. I haven’t seen them in some time, but I write to them often.”
I wanted to meet the people who raised Alec into such a fine young man, but I kept those thoughts to myself and noticed someone entering the records office.
“It looks like it’s open.”
Neither of us moved right away, and I suspected he didn’t want our unexpected breakfast to end any more than I did. But we were running out of time and needed to get back to 7 Buckingham Gate before we were missed.
Alec paid for our meal and then held the door open for me as we stepped onto the Strand and crossed the street.
The General Register Office was large and already busy as we entered. A secretary pointed us in the right direction, and we were soon standing near a desk as we waited for a clerk to gather information for a woman named Nellie O’Day, born approximately 1840.
It took longer than I hoped or expected, but eventually he returned. He was a young man with a mustache and an eager expression.
“I think I may have found who you are looking for,” he said. “We have no birth records for Nellie O’Day, but I found one marriage record for someone by that name. Thankfully, the marriage record has a lot of other helpful information. She was married on June 30, 1865, right here in the register office, to a man named Daniel Farmington. Her full legal name on the record is Nellie Elizabeth O’Day. She was born on May 18, 1837, in Dublin, Ireland, and her occupation at the time of her marriage is listed as actress.”
My pulse escalated. “She was married?”
“That’s how it appears.”
The record said nothing about her being a brothel owner. Perhaps Bernard had been wrong. He’d said it was only hearsay, after all.
“Do you have an address for Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Farmington?” Alec asked.
“I knew that would be your next inquiry, so I took it upon myself to find it for you.” He passed a piece of paper across the desk. “They live in Islington, a suburb of London.”
“She’s still alive, then?” I asked, my mind spinning with so many questions. At least I wouldn’t have to visit a brothel.
“I believe so. I did not find a death record, but that could be registered at a different location.”
“Thank you.” Alec took the piece of paper and slipped it into his pocket.
“My pleasure,” the clerk said. “Come again if you need more assistance.”
Alec offered his arm, and we left the register office.
“May I please see the paper he gave you?”
“No.” He smiled at me as we turned toward Trafalgar Square. “I know you too well. If I give it to you, you’ll try to sneak out again and go by yourself. I will take you there at the first opportunity.”
“Today?”
He gave me a look. “You will be far too busy today.”
