“Yes. I’m sure you’ve heard the name. Everyone who is anyone in London among the ton knows her name. Even among young girls making their debuts, who should never know about such things, Mrs. Danforth’s name is whispered in ladies’ retiring room.”
Lottie stood and paced in front of Addie. “The most well-known courtesan in London is my mama.”
“But why must you leave Bath? You have friends here and a business.”
Lottie snickered. “Do you honestly believe the parents of the girls I’ve been instructing on how to conduct oneself in Polite Society will continue to allow me anywhere near their daughters? My living is gone. I must move again to where no one knows me, nor will ever know me.”
With those words and the stunned expression on Addie’s face, she fled the house with the full intention of packing her belongings and taking the first rail out of Bath.
To where she had no idea.
9
The next morning Lottie was interrupted in her packing by a knock on her door. Mr. Everson, the man who guarded the front door to her building, stood there, looking a tad uncomfortable. “Miss Danvers there is a gentleman and lady awaiting you downstairs. They insist they must speak with you immediately.”
Exhausted from no sleep the night before, she was a bit confused. She frowned and placed her brush, comb, and small mirror in her satchel. “Did they give their names?”
“Lord Monroe and his daughter’s governess, Mrs. Temple.”
His lordship and the governess! Lottie’s stomach cramped and her heart sped up. It was truly amazing how fast bad news could appear on one’s doorstep. “Tell them I will be there momentarily.”
She pulled the mirror back out of her satchel and examined herself. She looked pale and scared; the few freckles scattered across her nose standing out. There was no way out of this. She took a deep breath and left her flat.
“Good morning, my lord. Mrs. Temple.” She had met the governess when his lordship had engaged her to groom his daughter for her presentation to Society. Now the woman sat on the dark brown sofa, glaring at her.
They both rose.
“I’m afraid it is not a good morning, Miss Danvers.” Lord Monroe looked uneasy as he addressed her.
“I will come right to the point,” Mrs. Temple said. “I have been lovely Lady Edwina’s governess for years. I have protected her from the more sordid things in life. She is a sweet, innocent, young girl. However, it appears you had no hesitancy in speaking with one of your paramours while having tea with my charge.”
Lottie sucked in a breath. Although she certainly had something to hide, she could not let that remark pass. “I am sorry Mrs. Temple, but first of all the gentleman—she almost choked on the word—who spoke with me yesterday was not, has never been, and will never be, my paramour. I have done nothing to be ashamed of, nor would I ever expose a young girl to the part of life to which you refer.”
“Do you deny that your mother is a well-known courtesan in London?” Lord Monroe asked.
Well, then. Let’s get right to the point, shall we?
“No, I don’t deny that since it is true. However, I see no reason to continue this conversation.” She turned to leave, but Lord Monroe said, “You are dismissed. I no longer require your services.”
Since Lottie was planning on leaving today anyway, she was about to notify all her student’s parents. She had hoped—apparently unsuccessfully—that they would not find out the real reason for her abrupt departure.
“I understand.” There wasn’t much more to be said about that.
“Have you no honor, Miss Danvers?” Mrs. Temple pointed her finger at Lottie. “I cannot imagine why you would take young girls as your charges when you come from such a sullied background.”
Close to tears, Lottie said, “I am sorry you feel that way, Mrs. Temple, but I do not have a sullied background. I was raised in a private girls’ school in France. I have done nothing to warrant your disdain.”
“Your mother is a whore!”
Lottie’s shame turned into anger at the ugly word. “How dare you! My mother took care of me all her life. She paid for an exclusive girls’ school and even made the trip from London to France to see me twice a month. You know nothing about my mother.”
“I know all I need to know. She paid for that school with ill-earned money.” Mrs. Temple waved her finger. “You are a disgrace. You should not be allowed near young girls.”
Lottie waved at the doorway. “Please leave. You have said what you need to say.” Before they had a chance to go, Lottie stalked from the room and raced upstairs.
She entered her flat and leaned against the door. She took in huge gulps of air, attempting to keep the tears at bay, but lost that battle and slid down the door to sit on the floor. She pulled her legs up to her chest, leaned her forehead on her knees and sobbed.
Two hours later, she looked around her flat, making certain she had removed all of her most important things. It was impossible to pack everything she had accumulated in her time in Bath. Some of the lovely decorations she’d found at the vintage store would have to remain. As well as all her books.