A Lady's Virture Page 10

  Standing her ground, she craned her neck to meet his gaze. “Do you think so? I thought it rather well written and to the point.”

  He gripped her chin firmly but without harming her. “How can anyone so beautiful be so aggravating? You know what I mean. I do not treat my mother like a child. I adore her and worry about her. I will not have some lazy sot ruining the rest of her life.”

  Staring up into his eyes, she saw every fleck of gold, brown, and even some streaks of green. The moment hung between them, and he leaned in the slightest inch, as if he might repeat the kiss they’d shared.

  It took a force of will to step away from his touch and to ignore his compliment. “I had the impression Mr. Condon was rather wealthy, and he was certainly charming.”

  He threw his hands up in the air and turned away. “You know what I mean.”

  “No, Tony. I have no idea what you mean or think anymore. I thought I did. I thought we were friends, and you liked the changes I made to your house with your tastes in mind. You seemed pleased with the result of your dinner party. Then without warning, you turned on me like a viper. As a result, Ann Wittman, a very smart, nice lady, will be taking my place as your Everton lady. You will like her, and she will do a fine job for you.”

  “How do I make you understand?” He spoke to himself, low and with his eyes cast down. He fiddled with a vase from the small table near the divan.

  “There is nothing for me to understand. I was in your employ, and you did not wish for that arrangement to continue. Luckily the Society has another lady available for you.” The knot in her throat threatened to push tears into her eyes. She fought them back with all her might.

  Sorrow crept into his eyes as he tugged on his coat. “You think I’m some kind of monster who orders the women in my life about like chattel.”

  “Why should an earl care what a servant thinks?” It was time she remembered her place and he his.

  “You are not a servant, and we are friends.” He raked his fingers through his hair, further disheveling his look.

  The guilt returned. How could she not feel bad seeing how distraught he was over a few written words that would be forgotten in a day or two? “I have never thought you a monster, just a bit high-handed.”

  “I don’t treat my mother like a child. She is my responsibility. I must see to her happiness. I have people who depend on me. Workers whose families will starve if I don’t do my job. People in America who will suffer if I can’t be the man my father was. Of course, you don’t understand. How could you? You are a woman with no one depending on you for more than a few months. You do your work, make everything pretty, then walk away. It’s so easy for you to judge me.” His knuckles were white where he gripped the back of the chair.

  Maybe he was right. Had she been callous in her judgment? Obviously, he had worries that she had not even thought about. “I did not mean to hurt your feelings, Tony. Well, maybe I did. I’m sorry you are upset, but I don’t think anything I wrote was untrue. Your mother is grown and brilliant. She can decide her own fate without you manipulating her and picking her friends. I would suggest you not spend so much time worrying about the fate of others. You work hard. There is no reason to believe any harm will come to those in your care.”

  He shook his head. “Let’s discuss you coming back to work for me.”

  “I don’t think that would be wise.”

  Lady Jane spoke loudly from the hallway. “Ann, I want you to meet his lordship while he’s in the house.”

  Sitting, Sylvia waited for the ladies to enter.

  Anthony stepped away from the chair and forced a bland expression. It did not really work, but she admired his effort.

  Lady Jane and Ann entered the parlor, making the room overcrowded. Jane made a curtsy. “Lord Grafton, since you are here, I wanted you to meet your new Everton lady. Miss Ann Wittman, the Earl of Grafton.”

  Ann made a pretty curtsy before pushing her spectacles up on her nose. “A pleasure to meet you, my lord. Miss Dowder has given me all the details of the ball, and I will come by tomorrow to discuss things. I would have come today, but Lady Chervil will not be available until tomorrow to act as my chaperon.”

  The silence dragged on for several uncomfortable beats, but Sylvia refused to run back to him. He had decided, and she didn’t know his reasons. If he wanted her to come back, it would take much more than admitting he’d lost his temper. That had been obvious. Besides, Ann had been pulled off another client’s contract to accommodate him.

  “Thank you, Miss Wittman. I look forward to our meeting.” Anthony bowed and bid them all good day before seeing himself out.

  “That was very odd.” Ann sat next to Sylvia.

  “Indeed,” Jane said. “Is there something you should tell us, Sylvia?”

  “No. I told you what happened. He thought I had tried to matchmake his mother and lost his temper. I tried to explain I had not done any such thing. I’m sure this will all work out. Ann will handle it, and I will see that Roberta Fletcher has a marvelous first few balls.”

  “Well, then it’s all settled.” Jane rose, and Ann followed her out.

  “Ann,” Sylvia called out before Ann cleared the threshold.

  Smiling, Ann turned back. “Did you need something, Sylvia?”

  “You said Lady Chervil is back home?”

  “She arrived home yesterday but had some calls to make and said she would rest most of today.”

  Once Ann left, Sylvia went up to Lady Chervil’s room and knocked.

  “Come in.” Honoria Chervil’s voice sang out from within.

  Peeking around the door, Sylvia found Honoria in several layers of ruby silk, standing on an ottoman with her lady’s maid poking pins in the bottom of what would eventually be a very ostentatious gown. “I hope I am not disturbing you, my lady.”

  “Oh, Sylvia, do come in. I haven’t seen you in an age. Margery, are you nearly done?” Where most of Everton House was distinctly masculine, Honoria’s room was covered in lace, silk, and every possible shade of pink. It was an explosion of femininity that was shocking at first glance.

  “One more pin, my lady.” Poor Margery groaned as Honoria fidgeted and she moved to the next spot.

  “Well, stick it and get this thing off me before I melt. Besides, our friend looks as if she has a problem.”

  Margery glanced back at Sylvia and smiled. “I’ll just be a moment, miss.”

  “I’m fine, really. No rush.”

  Once the last pin was pushed, Honoria and Margery stepped behind a screen and removed the red silk in favor of a cotton day dress in pale peach with a dozen salmon-colored ribbons flowing from the bodice to her ankles. “Now, if you will excuse us, Margery.”

  With just one rolling of her eyes, Margery slipped from the room and closed the door behind her.

  Honoria sat in one of two pink overstuffed chairs near the window. “Now come and tell me what has put that crease between your lovely eyes, my dear.”

  “I don’t want to trouble you, my lady, but I have no one else to confide in. My sister has her own problems.” Sylvia had met Honoria on her first day at Everton’s, and they had become fast friends. Unfortunately for Sylvia, Lady Chervil had many friends and was away from London quite a lot. However, when she was in house, it was like having a favorite aunt to tell all her secrets to. It was nice to have a confidant. Sylvia and Serena had shared everything since birth. Not having her twin to tell her troubles to would have been devastating without Honoria’s kindness.

  “Don’t be silly. Of course, you should trouble me. Now, I heard you have been removed from Anthony Braighton’s case. Was that his decision or yours?” Of course, she knew the source of Sylvia’s problems. Everyone in the house knew of her failure with Anthony.

  “I think both. You see, he became angry over nothing and went into a rage, but I think it was really beca
use of the kiss.”

  Honoria leaned forward, her eyes bright. “There was a kiss? Where did he kiss you?”

  “In his bedroom.”

  “I actually meant, where on you. However, what on earth were you doing in his bedroom?” Most people would have been shocked, but Honoria grinned and clasped her hands at her chest.

  “I was charged with redecorating. I had made some changes in the master chamber, and we were alone for a few moments when the maids and footmen stepped out. He kissed me on the lips.” The memory of that kiss sent warmth from her toes up, until her cheeks were on fire, and all the places between longed to repeat that spectacular kiss.

  “How was it?”

  “The kiss?”

  “Yes. Of course, the kiss.” Honoria huffed and flopped back against the cushion.

  “Oh. It was wonderful, but I don’t think that’s significant. I have broken rules and been sacked. Well, technically, I quit him. He left me little choice after his outburst.” Sylvia suspected Honoria was lost in some romantic thought.

  For a moment Honoria peered off into nothing with the most pleasant smile on her round face. With a sigh, she patted her gray curls into place. “Let me see if I understand what has upset you so. You kissed the Earl of Grafton in his bedchamber. Then he requested a new lady to replace you.”

  “I think you are oversimplifying the situation, my lady.”

  Honoria shrugged. “Perhaps, but doesn’t it sound better this way?”

  “No, it makes it sound like I kissed him on purpose and deserved to be replaced.” A horrifying notion.

  “Well, then you had better tell me what really happened when he lost his temper.” She crossed her arms and stared Sylvia down.

  “He was upset because a Mr. Condon flirted with his mother at the dinner party. He accused me of trying to make a match. I had not and said as much but also said that there was nothing wrong with his mother making a new friend. His sister agreed; then things got a bit ugly and we both said it would be better if he had a new Everton lady. He did imply that we could not work together.”

  “It sounds a bit contrived, but I would guess he was taken by surprise by how much that kiss in his bedchamber meant to him. What happened when he came here this morning?” Honoria knew everything that happened within Everton House’s walls.

  “He was upset because I wrote an article about the treatment of widows in England. I admit, I may have gone a bit far without considering his feelings.” Guilt knotted inside Sylvia.

  Honoria giggled. “I quite liked the piece and found it to be filled with truths. How does he know you are Miss Tattler?”

  “He followed me from his house to the Whisper’s office one day and waited in the rain for me. He offered me a secret of his own in exchange for mine.”

  “How intriguing. I don’t suppose you would share his secret with me.” Honoria leaned forward again, her eyes alight with mischief.

  Unable to keep her amusement at bay, Sylvia laughed. “You know I won’t.”

  Sighing, Honoria shrugged. “It was worth a try.”

  “Do you have any advice for me?” Sylvia knew there was no help for her troubles. Still, a little wisdom from a friend would be nice.

  “Did he ask you to return?”

  “He was about to when Lady Jane interrupted and introduced him to Miss Wittman.”

  “Jane has the most impeccable timing.” Honoria chuckled. “I think his lordship is probably in love with you, my dear. How do you feel about him?”

  No words would push out of Sylvia’s clogged throat. “I’m—I worked for him. I like him. He’s a good man. I enjoyed the kiss more than I would have expected, though I suspect it was just a product of the intimacy of the room and new decor. I have tried not to think beyond that. However, I’m sure you are wrong about his lordship’s feelings. He does not love me. Besides, he made it quite clear that his reasons for contacting the Everton Domestic Society were because he did not wish to marry.”

  “I see. Many young men think they do not wish to marry until they meet the right woman.” She plucked at the lace around her sleeves.

  “But how many go to such lengths to make sure they are not available for the marriage mart? After all, he did come to us to act as hostess and prove to his mother that he does not need a wife.”

  Honoria tapped her index finger on her chin. “True. It might be best to keep away from him unless you plan to encourage his affections.” Honoria stood and glided to her mirror, where she added a third necklace to her already bejeweled throat.

  “I certainly will not encourage any affections. He might like to have a mistress, but I am not that kind of woman.”

  “Certainly not.” Honoria clipped on a pair of diamond and ruby earrings that were large and elaborate for any occasion. They were completely inappropriate for early morning at the Everton Domestic Society.

  “Fine, then I shall take your good advice. And since Ann will take over, I see no reason to be in his presence. I shall probably never see Lord Grafton again.”

  Honoria spun to face her. “Oh, my dear girl, you don’t actually believe that, do you?”

  “I see no reason why I should run into him. It’s too bad that my sister will not be able to benefit from my role as his hostess, but that cannot be helped. I will continue as an Everton lady, and Anthony Braighton will be a notoriously single earl until one day he realizes he must produce an heir.” The idea of Tony marrying a young woman in ten years or so made her stomach grip in the most unpleasant way. However, the thought of him alone didn’t make her feel any better.

  Leaning against her vanity table, Honoria gave her the most whimsical smile. Perhaps she was thinking of something else entirely. “You will be surprised then, my dear. I’m sure his lordship will find a way to see you, and I seriously doubt it will take him very long. However, you have another assignment, and Miss Fletcher’s coming out into society is equally important.”

  Sylvia stood and pulled her shoulders back. Of course, she must do a good job for Roberta Fletcher. “I should go and prepare to meet her this afternoon. Thank you for listening, my lady. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  With a laugh, Honoria hugged her. “You would manage, I dare say. Enjoy your day and come back and see me whenever you wish.”

  Ready to face a new challenge, Sylvia rushed to her own room and readied herself for her day. No one, not even Anthony Braighton, would keep her from being the best Everton lady she could be.

  Chapter 8

  Miss Ann Wittman was a perfect Everton lady. She had all the arrangements that Sylvia had made neatly written in a small leather-bound book. Anthony wanted to run her out of his house. He searched for reasons to get rid of her, but she did everything right. She always said the right thing and had the most level, soothing voice.

  It was impossible.

  “My lord, will you want to serve a great many refreshments at the ball?” Ann asked.

  “Supper, I suppose, is customary. We can afford to put out a nice spread, Miss Wittman.” His short tone was uncalled for, but he couldn’t seem to help it. Hopefully, she would just assume Americans were all rude.

  “I will speak to your cook and arrange a nice meal. Miss Dowder already scheduled the master of ceremonies and the musicians. It will be a lovely evening.” Ann made another note in her book.

  Lady Chervil sat quietly in the back of his study watching him. She had said no more than the polite hello but smiled and giggled from time to time.

  Her regard made Anthony uncomfortable. “Lady Chervil, what do you think? Is supper necessary? I know some of the bigger balls have done away with nice food and good drink.”

  Raising both eyebrows, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Supper is always a good way to impress your friends and sometimes to make new ones, my lord. If you wish to make an impression, I would encourage you t
o feed the masses.”

  “And the music? Has Miss Dowder done an adequate job in her hiring?” It would have been wiser to stay away from talk of Sylvia, but she was all he thought about. Somehow a skinny brunette had invaded his mind, and she would not leave him alone no matter how hard he tried to wipe her from his life.

  Ann eased back in her chair and watched the exchange. She turned from one to the other with interest.

  “It has been my experience that Miss Dowder does more than adequate work. She is smart and well versed in what society wants and doesn’t want. She has never failed at any of her other assignments. Yours was the first.” Honoria narrowed her gaze, challenging him.

  Had he scarred Sylvia’s career with his hasty actions? Lord, what an ass he was. “I’m sure the failure was mine, my lady.”

  Those expressive eyebrows rose again as Honoria studied him. “Ann, why don’t you go and speak to the cook and housekeeper. I’m sure you have copious notes to share with each of them. I know Sylvia gave you all her lists.”

  Ann looked from one to the other. “Miss Dowder was very thorough. My job is quite easy compared to what she has already done. I’ll be an hour or so. Will you be able to entertain yourself, my lady?”

  Honoria laughed but continued to stare at Anthony. “I shall manage, my dear.”

  It annoyed him the way these women seemed to have some silent communication about him that didn’t include him. Women in general had been vexing for weeks. Once Ann was gone, Anthony sat back behind his desk. “Well, you have me alone, Lady Chervil. I assume you wish to berate me on my bad behavior. There is no need. I have already given myself a sound thrashing.”

  Her mouth quirked up on one side. “What was it like in America, my lord?”

  Taken completely by surprise, he took a moment to process the question. “Um…it’s a bit wild, but in good society there are many rules to live by. The land is very green in Pennsylvania. Why do you ask?”

  “I have always wanted to go to America but have never had the chance. Now I’m too old to make the journey. It is a shame, but a fact nonetheless. I wonder if any young people think about all they will miss if they wait too long to have what they want.”