“Sir Matthew?” she asked, standing up from her seat. She clicked her tongue. “I wonder what he could want.” The timing could not be worse. “Is his ward with him?”
“His ward?” Gus cocked his head to one side.
It was funny how she had never noticed how shrewd his eyes could look, Mina thought distractedly, for all they were usually so blue and guileless. “A former pupil of mine named Cecily.”
“A former pupil, is that the tale?”
She looked around from the sink at his odd tone, but he smiled at her expansively, so she dried her hands and hurried to remove the cap which kept her hair out of the way. “It’s unfortunate timing now we’re so busy,” she muttered. “But I’d better go and see him if he has called out especially. Would you be so kind, Gus?” she said, moving toward him and angling her apron strings his way.
“Of course, dear lady,” he obliged. “Nothing could be simpler.”
“Thank you.” She shrugged off the apron and set it down on a bench. “I won’t be long. If you’re still here when I return, perhaps we could take a cup of tea together?”
Gus demurred, claiming he would not dream of distracting her when she was so busy and Mina hurried to the parlor, hoping she did not smell too strongly of onions.
She found Sir Matthew sat with one leg across the other in a seat by the window, his foot wagging irritably. He stood up when she entered the room and bowed. “Miss Walters,” he said formally.
Mina crossed the room to shake his hand. “It’s Mrs. Nye now,” she reminded him and politely gestured for him to be seated. “Will you take some refreshment or—”
“No, thank you.” He hastened to reassure her, and she noticed with relief he still wore his caped greatcoat as though he was intending a short visit only. “In truth,” he hesitated. “I was hoping perhaps you might accompany me for a short drive.” He gestured to the window where he had a curricle waiting. “Perhaps into St Ives.”
“I’m afraid that is out of the question, Sir Matthew,” Mina answered politely. “You find us at sixes and sevens this morning.” She sank gracefully into a chair facing him. “We are readying ourselves for the arrival of a large party imminently.”
He gave a harsh laugh. “I’m sure I would not like to hazard a guess at what sort of parties would descend on such a lonely spot,” he said with a moue of distaste. “Not a respectable one, I’ll warrant.”
Mina sat straighter in her chair, her gaze very level. “As to that sir, I am surprised you think it appropriate to say so, considering you must be aware I am married to the proprietor.”
Sir Matthew glared at her a moment, slapping his gloves across his shiny top boot. “Yes, I am aware. That is what I—” He broke off distractedly. “That is, after you left the other day, I made enquiry and I might add I have never been so shocked in all my life. To hear you now have ties to an establishment such as this by the bonds of matrimony—” He checked himself again, his icy blue eyes ablaze. “In short madam, I cannot think how such a thing came about. I had the utmost respect for your parents. You will have to pardon me, if you find my words unpalatable, but I have made it a habit in this lifetime to speak only the truth.”
Mina was silent a moment before answering him. She remembered how her father had held this man in such high esteem and how bitterly he had been disappointed when Sir Matthew had failed to even reply to any of his letters this past year. “I’m afraid I would know nothing of such life choices, Sir Matthew. As a mere woman, I am seldom afforded such luxuries.”
He turned rather red at that and stood up from his chair, turning his back to her as he stared out of the window. He was silent a moment before speaking. “I will give you the benefit of the doubt and imagine you are unaware of the evil reputation of this establishment,” he said practically gnashing his teeth. “I cannot fathom how a gently raised woman could find herself in such a predicament. In short, madam, I am appalled that a person I once entrusted my charge’s welfare to, that someone who could claim themselves to be a connection, is in any way associated with such a place as The Merry Harlot.” His lip curled over the name of the inn and Mina felt herself inwardly seethe at the pomposity of the man.
“Can you not?” Mina answered, feeling her color rise. “Then allow me to enlighten you, Sir Matthew. My father placed me in my half-brother’s hands on his death. He had little other option after all our benefactors fell by the wayside and our school failed.” She let that barb sink before continuing. “My brother, Lord Faris arranged this match for me. And if he thought it a fit match, then I cannot see why you should question that.”
“Lord Faris?” Sir Matthew wheeled around from the window, an incredulous expression on his face.
“Jeremy Vance, fifth Viscount Faris is my half-brother,” Mina confirmed.
Sir Matthew was visibly stunned. “I never heard of any connection between your two families.”
“Why should you have?” Mina asked coolly. “My mother was divorced, perhaps you were unaware of the fact.”
His expression flickered. Clearly, he had not been aware. “I held your mother in the very highest esteem,” he said stiffly.
Mina remembered how her mother had presided so prettily over those gatherings their governors were invited to. “Yes, I expect you would,” she said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Sir Matthew,” she said rising to her feet.
