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“I do not know. My father is also not known for any good things. He is a character. We never know what he will say or what exactly is on his mind.”

“We shall still make this a short ordeal, then. Before your father determines he has had enough of your absence.”

“I hardly think he noticed until something came up to make him recall. I did see he said there was a delicate matter on the home front, and I shall need to be there in person in order to learn of the details. I haven’t gone since there did not seem to be any urgency. I thought I could get away from the better part of a year without being noticed. Seems that is not the case.”

“I certainly hope it was not your father who sent a killer after you. He may not have known how far the men he hired would take their mission.”

Abram shook his head. “He is not that type of arsehole. He has plenty of terrible qualities, but to hire a person to end my travels? He would never. To make such a fuss would only draw attention to me, which would embarrass him.”

“One less suspect, yes?”

“Indeed,” Abram said. He had not considered his father, partly because it would have been entirely out of character. While there were very few who knew where they were in the world, his father loved him, after all. At least there was one truth to which he could cling.

“Dinner is served,” Dorchester said, arriving at the door in time to save Abram from delving too deeply into his estranged father and their relationship.

He followed the viscount and viscountess, though he should have gone ahead with Mrs. Gray so she could advise him of his dinner companion. He hoped for Orris, but he did not dare to dream.

Once they arrived, he found he was seated next to the Viscountess Fredericks, but directly across from Orris Gray.

Bullocks. He would have to make an effort to keep his eyes off her all evening. It was a battle he feared he would lose.

Chapter Nineteen

There was Orris at the table, sitting next to her mama like a hothouse flower. Next to her was Samuel. All she had wanted was to sit next to Abram. But that would have been too good to be true. How was she to help him if she never had an opportunity to be near him?

No matter, for she had a plan to remedy the situation later that evening.

Turning to face Samuel, she tapped his hand to get his attention. “What of our friend?” She winked at him, hoping he would catch the gist. Samuel had never been daft, so hopefully she would not have to spell it out for him.

He just blinked for a moment, then slowly, realization started to take hold. “Oh, um… she is looking into the correspondence now. We shall know of intentions later.”

“Whose correspondence?” Now that Samuel had caught on, Orris had no intention of allowing him to get away without telling her every delectable detail.

“That of her father’s and news from home,” he replied, taking a sip of his wine.

“Does she think she will need help or assistance? I would be happy to help her write responses.”

This garnered Mama’s attention, as she cleared her throat. “Of whom are you speaking?” Mama asked. “It all sounds so clandestine.”

“Um, Orris has taken an interest in my stepmother’s affairs. She’s in need of a secretary and has not been able to locate one who has been adequate,” Samuel explained, his cheeks glowing red under the pressure from Mama. The embarrassment was plain even under the dim lighting of the dining room. He had never been able to stand up to her scrutiny.

“Oh, Orris. There’s no time for you to work as the dowager viscountess’s assistant. You are expected to be courting. Entertaining suitors. And besides, women of our class do not work.” The snicker Mama let out just as she took a drink from her goblet gave proof of her disapproval.

Violetta intervened. “It would not be actual work, Mama. It would only be volunteering to lend her hand while she sorts out her late father’s titles and lands.”

Orris had to wonder how she had so quickly caught on.

“Is that not your job, dearest?” Mama asked Myrtle.

Myrtle also smoothly played her part. “Of course. But, Mama, I am busy with the household these days. We have only returned for this season, but once I go back to the countryside, I will be expected to handle so many things. It would be a great help to us if Orris could assist.” Everyone in the room’s eyes swung to Orris.

Instead of replying, she fussed with the napkin in her lap. It would seem, she too struggled under the weight of Mama’s intensity.

“Well, as long as she is still available to attend all of the events for this season, I guess there is no harm in it. But remember, Orris. This is not a job. This is… rather, something to keep your hands from being idle. I had not considered how much of a change it would be moving from Texas to London. And it seems as if you have been taking the transition the hardest.”

“Yes, Mama,” Orris said. Now there was an excuse for any of her upcoming absences in which she would be helping Abram out. Sometimes, she truly underestimated those sisters of hers.

Relief at the thought flooded Orris; a slow smile crept across her lips. Without warning, heat bore into her skin. The weight against her flesh familiar and warm. Welcomed.