“He left London the morning after he called on you.”
“What do you mean? I thought he was staying in London for the season.”
“I believe that was his original plan, but . . .” He let the statement fade.
“But after he was treated so poorly—”
“After he saw you with the Duke of Severton, George knew he had lost and he decided to leave London, his dignity intact.” He let out a sigh. “I’m thinking about following suit.”
Alarm filled my heart. “You can’t leave, too.”
“I cannot stay.”
“Why not?”
“I have no purpose here. I’ve met with everyone I needed to and there is nothing left for me to do”—he turned away, and I almost didn’t catch his last words—“but watch you fall in love with Severton.”
Pain pressed against my chest as I let his comment go unanswered. What else could either of us do?
“Please,” I whispered. “Don’t leave me here alone with Aunt Maude and all these strangers. Will you at least stay until I find my mother?”
He was silent for a long time, but finally, he nodded.
Relief washed over me. “Thank you.”
He didn’t let his gaze leave the window as rain washed the dusty streets and turned everything to mud.
I held my locket as we pulled up to a two-story brown-brick home in Islington an hour later. The house was substantial and well-built, with arches over the windows on the main floor and white cornices at the top. The shrubs in front were trimmed and white curtains hung at the windows. It was a beautiful home.
Not at all where I had pictured my mother living while I was growing up in the slums of New York City. I’d assumed she couldn’t afford to care for me and that was why she’d given me away.
“Would you like me to wait here?” Alec asked.
I shook my head, not wanting to do this alone. “Do you mind coming with me?”
“Of course not. I would prefer not to send you into a strange house by yourself.”
He stepped out of the carriage and then offered his hand for me to get out.
It had stopped raining, but everything was still wet as my foot sank into the mud.
Alec helped me around a puddle as I lifted the hem of my pink day dress and then he escorted me up the front walk.
Nerves bubbled in my stomach as I stared at the door, wondering what I might encounter.
Alec waited patiently as I pulled my courage together.
Finally, I lifted the knocker and rapped it three times before lowering my hand to my side.
Alec laid his hand on my lower back, offering me a gentle smile of encouragement before removing it.
The door opened and a young maid stood before us. She was pleasant as she said, “Good morning. What can I do for you?”
“I’m here to call on Mrs. Farmington,” I said, my voice shaking with my nerves as I handed her a calling card. It was white with my name,Clara Day Hill, embossed in gold.
The maid took the card and said, “Won’t you come in? I’ll see if my mistress is at home to receive you.”
We stepped over the threshold, and I was struck by the simple elegance of the foyer. The two-story room had a table in the center with a vase of fresh-cut flowers and two beautiful paintings on the wall going up the stairs. As the maid showed us into the front parlor, souvenirs from around the world decorated the space in a tasteful manner. There were ivory statues of animals that looked like they were from India, postcards on a table from Africa, a Chinese lantern hanging from the ceiling, and—I paused in surprise as I noticed a painting of New York City hanging on the wall, like those I once saw for sale near Central Park.
