I shook my head. I was embarrassed to admit I had paid no attention to where Delia was going to work. “I’m sorry, I just don’t remember. She was to go to work as a domestic in some house in New York that my da had arranged, but I never knew the name.”

“But how would you have contacted her after you both arrived in New York?”

I blushed. “Delia and myself didn’t get along so well.”

Mrs. Shaw pursed her lips but said nothing, though Beatrice said an “mm-hmm” as if to herself. I knew she had been listening. Now I was doubly embarrassed.

“And this Mr. O’Hanlon. Do you have his address?” Mrs. Shaw’s tone was brisk.

I shook my head no. “Delia carried all the papers,” I said miserably. “She was to give them to me when we docked. I’m sure he has taken on another girl by now and, anyway, I’m not sure I want to go there,” I finished stubbornly.

“Have you thought about what you want to do now, Nora?” Mrs. Shaw’s voice was gentler now.

I wanted to tell her I didn’t want to go home, and I didn’t want to find Delia or Mr. O’Hanlon, that I wanted to stay with her, but I didn’t have the courage, so I said nothing.

“It’s all right, Nora, you don’t have to rush your decision. Give it some thought, and when you’re ready we can talk again.” She stood up. “Now, come with me into the library, please.”

Beatrice let out another “mm-hmm” as we left the kitchen.

When we were alone, Mrs. Shaw sat me down.

“I’m going to discuss something important with you, Nora. You know that I have become especially fond of you. In fact, I think of you as my daughter.”

I drew a deep breath.

“I would like nothing more than to see your future secure—financially, I mean. But you should understand that Sinclair, after inheriting from his own father, also stands to inherit this house and all my other assets. You see, my late husband left everything to me as long as I was living, but upon my demise, his will states that what assets remain are to go to his only living relative, Sinclair.”

I winced at the sound of his name.

“So, you see, Nora, I cannot change the terms of the will. However, what I can do is transfer a sum of cash into an account with your name on it.” She paused and laughed. “It’s good we finally know your name. That way I’ll be satisfied you’ll have the means to get on your feet and start on a new path if something were to happen to me.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but she put up her hand.

“I have something else for you, Nora. Something more personal than money.”