True but also how could someone like Mr Dalton possibly like a woman of her background? With a commoner father? Surely he only taught out Ms Pendleton for her matchmaking skills. That's kind of what the author is going for here with the London nobles. Birth played so much. Of course now that people know she has been there since her grandmother's passing, maybe they will start to see the truth

Honestly... nope. It's understandable that she may have jumped to conclusions, but to essentially make a rumor go so far as for all of London society to think as true. If anyone truly paid attention to his actions in London, I feel like it wouldve been obvious that he had feelings for Miss Pendleton, even if they all would write her off for not being true nobility.
Now she's gonna get the shock of a lifetime & probably throw a fit.
Now... i feel like she might go for her friend's brother though after finding out he's rich