“I am – Lady Charis Langley,” Alecia managed to say, “and I think there is a Mrs. Belton waiting to see me.”
“Yes, indeed, my Lady,” the proprietor said, rubbing his hands together appreciatively. “If your Ladyship’ll come this way. I’ll show you to the private parlour.”
He went ahead and Alecia followed him.
When he opened a door, she saw to her relief that Mrs. Belton was quite a homely-looking woman with a pleasant smile and clothes that were in good taste, if not particularly expensive.
“Oh, here you are, Lady Charis!” Mrs. Belton exclaimed. “I have been worrying in case anything should delay you and we would be too late arriving at Dover to catch the ship. Mr. Hunt tells me that it goes out on the tide.”
Alecia looked enquiringly at the man who had risen at her entrance and reali
