The next question had to be asked, because the answer would decide whether Matilda stayed on or gathered Tommie up and returned to her frigid basement.

“You don’t… That is… Your former livelihood doesn’t overlap with your current duties?”

Mrs. Winklebleck laughed heartily, the sound filling her little parlor. “How fancy you talk. I’m done with all that. Whorin’ is a young woman’s game. A few years of that here in the capital, and a girl can take her coin and go back to the village. She’ll lie about being in service or working in a shop, but nobody will mind, and some lad will be glad to find a wife with even a small dowry.”

Harry had posited the same theory many times: A man or woman of enterprise could simply hop on the next coach, travel fifty miles, and take up life in any market town with nobody the wiser about his previous affairs. Too late, Matilda had realized that Harry had spoken from repeated experience.

“And the maids, Jessup and Jensen? They aren’t expected to… extend favors to the men?”

“They are not. I suspect Jensen is sweet on Amos Tucker, but Tuck hasn’t even regular wages, so how could he take on a wife? They might rub along well enough on Jensen’s wages for a time, but then the children arrive, and somebody has to pay for the coal.”

Matilda sipped her tea rather than comment on that observation. “What, in your opinion, would the men most like to learn if they’re to better their prospects?”

“You’ll have to ask ’em. They like good food and plenty of it. They’ll tidy up a churchyard or some fancy toff’s garden, if his lordship says they ought. For Major MacKay, they’ll muck out a stable. For Captain Powell, they will try to spin straw into gold, though I haven’t met the man myself. I’m too busy beatin’ the rugs and makin’ the beds to bother about what else the lads might be fit for.”

That wasn’t exactly what Matilda had asked about. “Who is Captain Powell?”

“Major MacKay’s cousin, married to Lord Tremont’s sister, Lady Lydia. Get his lordship to draw you a family map. More tea?”

“No, thank you. I left Tommie building a card castle in our sitting room, but he cannot remain unsupervised for long. If you are free this afternoon, might you tour the premises with me?”

“I do love how you talk, missus. Once we get the nooning behind us, thee and me’ll make a thorough inspection. The house is in good repair, thanks be. I cannot abide the rising damp. Wrecks a place from inside the very walls, like giving a dwelling the French pox.”

Matilda was torn between bewilderment and the urge to laugh. The analogy was effective, but…