Lisa sighed with frustration and glanced back toward the gate. She had been almost relieved when Mrs. Morgan had suggested in her letter that she come alone. Christiana had been rather difficult about her friendship with the woman, asking if she was the one who had given her the banned book about Fanny, and suggesting she may not be the kind of friend Lisa should acquaint herself with. Going alone had seemed simpler than trying to convince Christiana to accompany her. But Lisa supposed she shouldn’t really go alone altogether. It was more proper to have her maid accompany her anyway. The only reason she hadn’t considered it to begin with was . . . well, she supposed she’d been caught up in the whole adventure and simply neglected to consider taking the girl. Now she decided it may be the best way to handle the matter all around. Gentle ladies simply did not travel unescorted in London.

Sighing, she finally nodded. “Very well, you may accompany me.”

“Thank you,” Bet said dryly and fell into step beside her as soon as Lisa began to move. “Now, where are we going?”

“To visit a friend,” Lisa answered, a smile slowly claiming her lips. Now that she was on her way, she was actually looking forward to the visit. She had found Mrs. Morgan’s company stimulating and entertaining in the country and expected it would be the same in the city.

“Is it far?” Bet asked with interest.

“No. Mrs. Morgan promised to have her carriage wait around the corner,” Lisa admitted, biting her lip.

“Mrs. Morgan?” the maid asked with a sudden frown. “Not that lady what had her carriage break down at Madison Manor back three years ago? The one the men were all goggling over until his lordship had them take her and her carriage into the village to be repaired?”

“Yes,” Lisa answered, her chin rising in response to the maid’s obvious disapproval.

“Are you sure we should be visiting her?” Bet asked with a frown. “Mrs. Simms said Mrs. Morgan wasn’t proper company for young ladies when she was at the house. She said—”

“I’m not interested in Mrs. Simms’s gossip,” Lisa said with a frown, wondering why the housekeeper would disapprove. She didn’t know the woman had given her the banned book. In fact, Mrs. Simms had barely met Mrs. Morgan in passing when her carriage had broken down on Madison land and been brought to the house.

“But—” the maid said with a frown.

“Hush. There is the carriage,” Lisa murmured as they reached the corner and she spotted the black carriage with the dark drapes at the windows. “Come.”

Leaving the maid to hurry behind her, Lisa rushed to the carriage.

“Lady Madison?” The driver asked, moving to open the door even as he asked the question.

Lisa smiled and nodded, then quickly climbed into the carriage.