Robert shook his head, sorrow floating across his face. He had always loved his cousin Henrietta, had watched this daughter of hers grow up, and he had promised his cousin he would look after her, knowing that her place in society was fragile and insecure, owing to the open secret of her illegitimacy. After a moment, he asked, “Where on earth did you go?”

“Tommy has a cousin by marriage in Leeds. He took me to her house, but it was in a terribly poor area, the Bank, and I couldn’t stay there for long, or find work around there. Fortunately, a Galway friend of Tommy’s, Finn, came and rescued me and arranged for me to live somewhere more respectable. I’ve been waiting and waiting to learn that you were back in Yorkshire. By great good fortune I became friendly with Blackie O’Neill and I heard from him you had returned.”

Robert heard the French doors close, and then there was a slight cough before Adrian decided to walk down the hall, his footsteps echoing in the stillness.

“Ah, there you are, Adrian,” Robert said, thinking quickly. “Please come and meet Moira, my cousin Henrietta’s daughter!” he exclaimed.

“I would love to,” Adrian replied, moving forward swiftly, struck by this young woman’s beauty. She was stunning, with her silver-blond hair, glossy and shining, and those large, soulful grayish-blue eyes in a perfect face.

“Moira, let me introduce Adrian, Lord Fraser, my best friend,” Robert said to her, calming himself as he spoke, clamping down his fury about Lawrence.

“Lord Fraser, this is Moira Aherne, my late cousin Lady Henrietta’s daughter, and so my second cousin.”

Taking his hand, Moira said, “I am honored to meet you, Lord Fraser.” She spoke softly, pushing aside her pain.

“And likewise, Miss Aherne, and it is my pleasure indeed.” He dropped her hand after a long moment, stunned by her looks, her lilting voice. What a true beauty stood looking at him, her eyes wide and full of expectation, he thought. A knot of tension was settling in his stomach. Suddenly he realized he was just gaping at her, and he moved toward the staircase. “I mustn’t interrupt you both, Robert, Miss Aherne. Please excuse me.” He inclined his head, looking at Moira, and smiled. “Excuse me,” he said, sounding flustered.

“Tea at four-thirty, Addy!” Robert called after his departing friend, who was now mounting the staircase.

“I’ll be there,” Adrian answered without looking around.

Robert took hold of Moira’s hand, and picked up the carpetbag next to the chair. “Is this all you have?”

“Yes. I can only stay one night.”

Robert was startled, and frowned, “Why? What is going on, Moira?”

“I have a job—”

“You’re working?” he cut in sharply.

“Yes, I am.”

“Doing what, for God’s sake?” It was apparent he was taken aback.