“And what?”
He grinned. “The lady’s feet were tiny things, but not the three-inch ones that they prize. That’s why she was tossed out of China, you know, because her feet were too large. But she made up for her larger feet with skill.” He blew out a breath and leaned back as if in remembered ecstasy. “It was a sight to behold, I tell you, but no amount of money would convince Easterly to allow us a go for the night. And believe me, we offered staggering amounts.”
Finally, something he believed. Lerwick was free with his money for all manner of lewd things. He also enjoyed a lavish lifestyle thanks to his proximity to the Prince Regent. That was, after all, how he came to be in Daniel’s carriage. But Daniel could not credit the entire tale, at least not without talking to Li-Na, and yet the entire conversation left him furious. Either Li-Na was a master seductress or her name was impossibly sullied throughout all of London. Either case was insupportable to him. But he could not escape the confines of the carriage, or the elaborate tales of sexual exploits Lerwick detailed for the next several hours.
By the time he finally deposited Lerwick at the inn, he was thoroughly incensed. He refused to spend one second more with the man. Fortunately, the repairs to the manor home had finished and his sister-in-law had returned home. He directed the carriage there and breathed a sigh of relief at finally having silence in his carriage. At least until Stefan grew bold enough to ask questions.
“Isn’t Li-Na Chinese? Do you think she knows this Abacus Woman? And do you think what he said was true?”
Damnation. The boy had been only faking sleep. “You are not to repeat a word of that nonsense, do you hear me?”
“You think he was lying?”
Yes. No. Not about everything.“I think a lady deserves the benefit of the doubt.”
Stefan frowned. “But if what he said is true, then she’s not a lady, is she?”
Daniel grimaced as he searched for the right way to explain things to his young nephew. “Why were we in London?”
“So that I could sign a document that says I want to stay under your guardianship.”
“And have it witnessed by powerful men.”
Stefan nodded.
“But your grandfather says you want him as your guardian, that your mother has damaged you, and that he knows what is best for you. He has people who will swear to that.”
“But it’s not true.”
“Are you sure? You’re awfully young to be an earl. Maybe you’re not—”
“I know who I am and what I want!” the boy snapped, outrage in every bone in his body.
“So who knows if Miss Li-Na is a lady?”
The boy frowned. “She does?”
“And only her. And until she says differently, we will treat her as a lady. Do you understand?”
The boy did. Sadly, his mother did not. Fifteen minutes later, the countess had kissed her son hello and sent him off to a bath only to round on Daniel with a full list of Li-Na’s crimes.
“All day!” she exclaimed. “She spent the day helping to rebuild a pig wallow. Can you imagine?”
No, he could not. “How do you know about this?”
“Everyone was talking about it. Mrs. Hocking took her to the event, and she spoke with anyone who would talk to her. Asking all sorts of questions.”
“What questions?”
“Well how should I know? Just that she was asking, and everyone was talking about it. Really, Daniel, must you expose my children to such people? You need to keep your mistresses hidden—”
“She’s not my mistress!”
“She’s not a bookkeeper if she’s talking to people while they’re remaking a pig wallow.” She pierced him with a hard glare. “What else are people to think if she’s living with you? Decent women don’t do that.”
“Those are the only possibilities then? Bookkeeper or mistress?”
“Or witch.” Nessie sighed as if Daniel were the greatest lackwit. “We all understand your fascination with the foreign, but it really must stop at the art pieces. You cannot collect women just to have them wander the village asking things. It disrupts everything and people start talking.”