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“It happens to each of us. My natural father refused to acknowledge me, and my mother sold me to a tenant farmer for enough money to escape to America and a new life without me. Therefore, it took me a long time to trust anyone, especially Lady Elsbeth Duncan, though she was the one who insisted that her husband take over my care. Even those not associated with Lord Duncan face trials daily of which we are unaware. The world did not place all the downtrodden under his lordship’s care, though God assuredly blessed the five of us He placed with Duncan.

Generally, people who are suffering simply close the door and no one is any the wiser.

I am not speaking as if your attack is minimal, but rather to say, we must learn to practice empathy for others. ”

He reached across the coach to pat the back of her hand where it rested on the bench. “Assuming our deduction is accurate, you, assuredly, cannot return to Donoghue House, without knowing who to trust.”

Emma reluctantly admitted, “I had a recent memory of eating at the table in the kitchen at Donoghue House. Mr. Palmer, my butler, was upset with my doing so.”

“It is difficult to maintain the hierarchy of a stately home without acknowledging the necessary lines,” he said in factual tones, rather than as a reprimand. “Even so, it must be terribly lonely for you—in such a stately house with no company. When did your governess leave?”

“Five years,” Emma murmured. “It was all so sudden, and I was so young.”

Graham nodded his understanding. “Likely, when this is settled and you return to Donoghue House, it will be necessary for you to set new expectations for all within your household,” he suggested diplomatically.

“The situation you described at the Tower of London was probably a result of what you just shared.”

“Then you think someone from my household did this to me,” she gestured to her bruises, “because I complained about the care of my mother’s lilies?”

Lord Graham frowned. “If a member of your household struck you thusly, surely more than one of the others would have come to your aid.”

“Then where am I to go?” Emma asked. “I would not wish to banish Lord Orson from his family because I returned to Duncan Place. Moreover, Lord Duncan thought to be rid of Mrs. Braylon once I was safely removed from his home. Lord Orson caught Mrs. Braylon listening in on Lord Duncan’s conversation with Mr. Rheem.

Theodora told me so shortly after the confrontation with the nurse.

Lady Theodora was still upset that her father did not send the woman away immediately, but his lordship said he would wait until I was safely removed elsewhere. ”

“I was not aware of the extent of the situation,” Lord Graham said. “I assume those details were discussed with Beaufort, and I was late to join your rescue, for I have been doing government work elsewhere for the last two months.”

He paused before adding, “If we cannot return to Donoghue House and you would prefer not to be set down again at Duncan Place, then a suite of rooms at a hotel must do. I have a former housekeeper whom we might press into service for a few weeks to serve as your companion. Mrs. Ottoway could use the fees, and, believe me, no one will be admitted to your quarters without your approval.”

“Why is the lady a former housekeeper?” Emma asked.

“Mrs. Ottoway was required to step away from her duties when her husband’s health took a downward turn.

The man has since passed,” Graham explained.

“Mr. Ottoway’s poor health carried on longer than either of us were expecting.

So long, I was required to replace her, though I did not enjoy the task. ”

“I am truly sorry for her loss,” Emma said solemnly. “If you think she would join me and appropriate accommodations may be had, I agree.”

“A hotel, it is! You are my cousin. Let us construct a backstory for you.” He paused to think aloud.

“You are my cousin and have, of late, employed a man to complete major repairs to your London house; therefore, you must be out of the way of the refurbishments, for you were, unfortunately, injured when some of the man’s equipment fell upon you.

I will be sponsoring your stay, and your elderly maternal aunt has agreed to share your quarters with you.

Though you have reached your majority and possess some discretionary funds provided by your father, you are cognizant of the hotel’s reputation and will not be entertaining gentlemen in your rooms, including me. ”

“It amazes me how quickly you created this whole story,” Emma admitted.

Lord Graham shrugged nonchalantly. “As one of Duncan’s sons, when executing a task for the British government, I am often required to respond as such.”

“I would never have survived any of this madness if Lord Orson had not brought me to Lord Duncan’s notice. You have all been kinder to me than I could have expected.”

“If we are agreed,” Graham said, ignoring her compliment, though Emma knew it had meant a great deal to him, “then let us stop first at Mrs. Ottoway’s boarding house.”

When she nodded her agreement, Graham opened the hatch to provide Lord Beaufort’s coachman with the directions.

“You may take the woman’s acquaintance,” he told Emma, when he returned to their conversation, “and, later, I will send my carriage back for her. I am thinking of the Mirvat, which is quite exclusive. It has been open only a matter of months. It is in Mayfair, so you should be familiar with the streets, but I would prefer you not go out unless one of the Duncan family accompanies you. No gentlemen will be shown to your quarters; in fact, there is a private sitting room on a separate floor. You would be required to go down to greet them.”

“What of Mr. Rheem?” she asked.

“I will attempt to clear Mr. Rheem with the management, but we may be required to make different arrangements for the surgeon,” Lord Graham stated.

Within a half hour, the carriage rolled to a stop before a respectable-looking lodging house in an equally impressive neighborhood.

Emma knew little of such lodgings, but she knew enough to know that Lord Graham had taken special care of his former employee.

The idea pleased Emma greatly. “Come, Lady Emma,” he said after he had crawled down from the coach and reached a hand back to her.

“I wish you to have the acquaintance of Mrs. Ottoway. After this matter is finished, perhaps you might consider employing the lady. Mrs. Nadine Ottoway would be an asset to any household, and you obviously require someone you may trust.”