And he won't see David Middleton for years, Augusta thought with satisfaction. "Splendid. It's settled, then." Were there any other snags? She remembered Maisie. Did Hugh care for her? It seemed unlikely, but anything was possible. He might refuse to be parted from her. It was a loose end, and it worried Augusta. Hugh could not possibly take a trollop to Boston with him, but on the other hand he might refuse to leave London without her. Augusta wondered if she could nip the romance in the bud, just as a precaution.
She stood up and moved to the door that communicated with her bedroom. Joseph looked disappointed. "I must get rid of that girl," she said.
"Anything I can do?"
The question surprised her. It was not liked him to make generalized offers of help. He wanted another look at the whore, she thought sourly. She shook her head. "I'll come back. Get into bed."
"Very well," he said reluctantly.
She went into her own room and closed the door firmly behind her.
Maisie was clothed again and pinning her hat to her hair. Mrs. Merton was folding up a rather flashy blue-green gown and cramming it into a cheap bag. "I've loaned her a dress of mine, as hers is soaked, mum," said the housekeeper.
That answered a little question that had been nagging Augusta. She had thought it was unlike Hugh to do something as blatantly stupid as to bring home a whore. Now she saw how it had come about. They had been caught in the sudden storm, and Hugh had brought the woman inside to get dry, then one thing had led to another.
"What is your name?" she said to the girl.
"Maisie Robinson. I know yours."
Augusta found that she loathed Maisie Robinson. She was not sure why: the girl was hardly worthy of such strong feelings. It had something to do with the way she had looked when naked: so proud, so voluptuous, so independent. "I suppose you want money," Augusta said disdainfully.
"You hypocritical cow," Maisie said. "You didn't marry that rich, ugly husband of yours for love."
It was the truth, and the words took Augusta's breath away. She had underestimated this young woman. She had made a bad beginning, and now she had to dig herself out of the hole. From now on she must handle Maisie carefully. This was a providential opportunity, and she must not waste it.
She swallowed hard and forced herself to sound neutral. "Will you sit down for a moment?" She indicated a chair.
Maisie looked surprised, but after a moment's hesitation she took a seat.
Augusta sat opposite her.
