“Miss Bronson!” Joan hushed her, even as her heart pounded at the thought—rather the hope—that she’d scarcely let herself dwell on. “That’s gossip.”

“That’s what anyone with eyes saw last night. Do you know, when he danced with me…” She lowered her voice and Joan leaned in. “I actually asked him if he was distracted.”

“No, you did not,” Joan said, shock rocking her to her core.

“Yes, because while he is an excellent dancer, I thought he might run into me because his eyes weren’t on anything but you.”

“I was on the edge of the ballroom.”

“I know,” Miss Bronson said with gleeful emphasis. “And beside your brother, who, I might also add, is a delightful dancer. It was very kind of him to ask. Is he attached?”

Joan’s forehead pinched at the sudden shift in topic. “Er, no. He’s not… Well, it will be some time till he takes a wife, I’d imagine.” Joan thought over his work, work that could be of the dangerous sort, and thought Morgan was disinclined to add any woman to that equation.

“That’s a pity.” Miss Bronson sighed. “He’s enchanting and quite handsome.”

“He has his moments,” Joan allowed, still not fully ready to forgive him.

“You’re his sister. That’s quite a different perspective, I’d imagine.”

“Yes,” Joan said, her focus on the opening door as Corinne stepped out and welcomed them.

“Good morning, ladies! I’m so pleased you could come today. We had several new arrivals and two ladies who will meet with prospective employers later this week, so it’s quite an eventful day.”

Joan answered with confidence. “I’m sure you’ll find us equal to any task, Corinne.”

“Yes. How shall we begin?” Miss Bronson inquired.

Corinne led them into the building and paused at the hall. “I’ll need one lady to work with the girls who have interviews, and I have some research to do on a potential family member for a young lady.”

“I’m happy to do any research,” Joan offered.

“Then I shall help with the interview preparations,” Miss Bronson volunteered.

“Excellent.” Corinne clapped once. “Joan, could you meet me in the library? I’ll first take Miss Bronson to the parlor where the young ladies are waiting. I’ll meet with you shortly.”

“Of course.” Joan answered as the other two made their way down the hall toward one of the hospital’s parlors.

Joan started toward the library. The doors were open and welcoming, so she stepped through and studied the shelves of registers, ledgers, maps, and a section with books on various topics. She took a seat at a circular table and looked to the tomes lining the shelves beside her.

The names were all in alphabetic order, listing all the shires of England: Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire…

“Thank you for waiting,” Corinne said as she entered.