A Lady's Virture Read online

  “You are as strong. You just need to find your voice. Not to worry, though. Until you do, I shall speak up for both of us.” Sylvia wished their mother cared more about her daughters’ happiness and less about marrying them off as soon as possible to a rich man.

  Serena ran her fingers along the back of the chair behind Anthony’s desk. “You know, Sylvie, he seems quite taken with you.”

  “Who, Lord Stansfield? Don’t be absurd. He only rallied behind me for your sake.”

  “No, silly, Lord Grafton. Anthony Braighton rarely takes his gaze away from you. He made a point to open the ball with you, and I assume he ran after you when you escaped the ballroom. Though, he was discreet. He returned with the Earl of Marlton, and that will keep the gossips quiet.”

  “We are friends, nothing more. Any further regard Anthony feels for me is only out of some warped sense of duty. He has a notion that he’s ruined my reputation with his regard at the Rochester ball.” Sylvia really had to make sure Anthony saw he need not worry over her. If Serena noticed, soon others would as well. That could lead to a real disaster.

  “Are you sure it’s not more? He looks like a man smitten to me.”

  It was too ridiculous to even hope for such a thing. Besides, she was not good for Anthony. They fought much of the time, and he could do far better than a woman thrown over by a prominent viscount. No. She would go back to Everton’s, and Anthony would find a mistress to amuse him until he decided to marry.

  It was easy to think such things, but her heart contracted with visions of Anthony with random women.

  “Anthony Braighton would no sooner want a woman like me than he would marry one of his actress friends.”

  Serena’s mouth dropped open. “You cannot compare yourself to one of those women. You are a lady, Sylvia. Your situation is completely different. You could still marry, and marry well, if you wanted to. I think if Mother would have been kinder, you would be enjoying a normal season with me this year.”

  “Perhaps, but I’m glad you have suitors, and it sounds as though you really like Lord Stansfield.” It was time to deflect the conversation away from herself.

  “I suppose I had better go back out there. Will you be all right?” Serena patted her curls and brushed out her ivory gown before tugging her gloves into place.

  “I’m fine. I will check on dinner service and be up before everyone enters.”

  Serena kissed her cheek and bounced from the room.

  Hoping for something to keep her away from the ballroom, Sylvia was disappointed and pleased to find the kitchen was in perfect order and the staff prepared for service.

  Back in the ballroom, she watched as Anthony escorted both his mother and his aunt into the dining room.

  “May I have your arm, Miss Dowder.” Miles Hallsmith stood next to her, holding out his arm.

  She placed her hand on his arm. “I would be grateful, and I happen to know we are seated beside each other.”

  “Are you flirting with me?” His voice lilted with silliness.

  “Not at all.” She used the same tone. “How dare you assume such a thing.”

  As neither of them were titled, they entered late, and Sylvia avoided Anthony’s glare. The table shined with crystal and china, and the food was glorious. Silver candelabras placed along the center of the table cast a romantic glow. It was so artful, it would be a shame to devour the sumptuous fare.

  Sylvia forced herself to smile at Sir Henry Parker, seated to her left. “I hope you will enjoy the food, Sir Henry.”

  “I suppose you are responsible for the seating, Miss Sylvia.” His haughty tone sent an unpleasant chill down her back.

  “In my position as a lady of the Everton Domestic Society, I am referred to as Miss Dowder now. However, I did think it might be nice to get to know each other.”

  He pursed his lips and narrowed his gaze. “If you think you can win me over for yourself, I can tell you I would never court any woman in service. You may cease and desist.”

  “Good lord, Parker, you’re just as bad mannered as you were in school. The lady was only being polite, so that she might know the man intent on marrying her twin sister. Must you twist everything to a hateful result?” Miles was like a beacon of light when it seemed the walls were crashing in.

  Henry sat back and put a blank stare on his face. “I was only being certain we understood each other.”

  “Most kind,” Sylvia said before turning her attention to Miles. “Are you always so forward?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve known Henry all my life.” He leaned closer. “I sincerely hope your sister does not become Mrs. Henry Parker.”

  “I shall tell her you said so.”

  Serena’s giggle drifted across the table. Something Lord Stansfield had said amused her and she blushed.

  “Mr. Hallsmith, do you know Lord Stansfield’s first name?” It was terrible, but Sylvia couldn’t remember it, or perhaps she’d never known it.

  “If I’m not mistaken, it is Rutledge. Rutledge Haversham, Earl of Stansfield. He’s terribly wealthy and has an enormous farm somewhere in the west, though I don’t know where. I do know that he rarely gambles, drinks in moderation, and can be quite amusing once he gets to know a person. His only flaw is that he is not easy with strangers and often misjudged because of his stoic tendencies. I think your sister could do far worse.”

  Sylvia recalled the name and the moment she’d heard it before. Her face heated. Having just been thoroughly kissed by Anthony, she must have been addlebrained to have forgotten.

  Lady Collington sat to Anthony’s left but spoke loudly enough for the entire party to hear her. “The table is the most beautiful I have ever seen, my boy. Even my dear son never put on a fare such as this. You have done right by the family and elevated the Grafton title to new heights. I’m prodigiously proud of you.”

  Since Anthony spoke in a normal tone, they couldn’t hear his response. His gaze fixed on Sylvia, and she tingled with his regard from her head to her toes.

  His favor for her would only lead to disaster. Hers for him, in heartbreak. It had to be stopped. Looking away, she tried to decide what to do. She had a job to do, so she couldn’t stop seeing him.

  “Miss Dowder, are you all right?” Concern formed in small creases around Miles’s eyes.

  Perhaps the answer was right in front of her. She leaned an inch closer to him and smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Hallsmith. I assure you I am fine.”

  He studied her. “I can’t decide if you’re flirting with me or trying to make Anthony jealous.”

  Was she that obvious? “I am most certainly not trying to make anyone jealous.”

  A lazy smile spread across his handsome face. In the candlelight, his red hair shone warm with shades of red, bronze and gold. He was pleasant and intelligent, so why didn’t he stir the same feelings in Sylvia as the unsuitable Earl of Grafton. “Then I shall assume you are flirting with me. How delightful.”

  “Are you teasing me?” She forced a sharp bite into her voice, but he was too charming to garner any real anger.

  “Of course. What else is there to do when you are the last person I would ever expect to flirt with me?” He glanced over her shoulder.

  Sylvia refused to look at Anthony even though she could feel him staring at her. “Why do you say that? I am as apt to flirt as the next lady.”

  He leaned his elbow on the edge of the table, his chin on his hand, and made green doe eyes at her. “Not true, but let’s get back to the flirting.”

  Unable to help herself, she giggled. “You really are the most charming man.”

  Lady Pemberhamble cleared her throat from across the table. She gave Miles a sour look, though it was hard to tell, as her regular expression was rather bitter.

  Sitting back, Miles gave her a nod then turned back to Sylvia. “I am all charm and no substance, and I’m su
re you recognize that.”

  “What I see is a man who would have everyone think that is true, but you are observant and thoughtful. Your sister was with the Everton Domestic Society, was she not?”

  Taking a bite of game pie, he closed his eyes with appreciation. “Delicious. Yes, Phoebe was very successful at the Society before her marriage to the Viscount of Devonrose. She enjoyed the work very much. I wonder if you enjoy it, Miss Dowder.”

  She hadn’t really until she started her assignment with Anthony. Perhaps she should ask Lady Jane for more of the same type of assignments. “I find the work occupies the day well enough. I am useful and not under anyone’s control. I like that quite a lot.”

  “And you feel marrying would put you under your husband’s thumb?” He finished his pie so quickly one might think he’d not eaten in a week.

  Sylvia tasted it and had to agree the tender bits of meat were well cooked and spiced to perfection. “As I’m sure you know, I nearly made it to the altar, and thus my experience with men is less than complimentary.”

  Nodding, he signaled for the footman to refill his wineglass. “No one will complain about the food or wine tonight. You have done an excellent job here.”

  “Thank you, but the cook and Lord Grafton are responsible for those items. I only assigned the menu. I did not cook it.”

  “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Miss Dowder. However, before we get too far off topic, let me say that your experience is skewed by one man’s thoughtless act. We are not all cads, you know.” The lamb was served, and he dug in with enthusiasm.

  “You may be right, but it is all I have to go by. Men think of themselves first, and so I must consider my own needs without regard to them.”

  After he sipped his wine, he stopped and held it in the air a moment before carefully placing it on the table. “I disagree. Take my friend Anthony Braighton as an example, if you would?”

  “You have lost me, sir.” Her heart pounded, and surely everyone around her could hear it. It drummed in her ears like a military march.

  “Anthony thinks of everyone before himself. He worries about his mother, his sister, the servants, and his new tenants. I’ll admit he has enjoyed some aspects of his new title and salary, but it has come to him at a cost. If you watch him now, you will see he has not taken the first bite of his sumptuous meal. Instead he asks the people seated near him how each course is and how they are enjoying it. He also watches you quite a lot.” Miles shoveled in a piece of lamb and chewed.

  Sylvia chanced a glance at Anthony. He spoke to Lady Collington, who told him the lamb was exquisite.

  Anthony’s head snapped up and he met her gaze, smiled, and raised an eyebrow in question.

  Unable to help herself, she smiled back before turning away. “Yet even Lord Grafton takes his own pleasure where he can find it. He’s become a notorious rake these last six months.”

  Miles shook his head. “I would say that was true until a couple of months ago when he stopped seeing any of his previous ‘friends’ and began to pay exclusive attention to a certain Everton lady.”

  “Don’t be absurd. I work for him, nothing more.” Her heartbeat tripled. Much more of this conversation, and she would faint in her pudding.

  “Yes. I can see by your charming blush that it is nothing more.”

  She took a deep breath and calmed her nerves. “You may think what you like, but his lordship is not the right man for me, as there is no right man. I am an Everton lady, and that will not change. If he has any regard for me, he will shuck such nonsense when our association is finished. In fact, I predict that in a month’s time when we meet for his house party, he will have found a nice widow or opera singer to attach himself to.”

  Frowning seemed out of place for Miles, but there it was. He whispered, “You think of him too meanly, Sylvia. He is a man of deep feelings.”

  Serena called to her and diverted her attention with delight over the sweets, and for that Sylvia was grateful.

  Dinner broke up and the partygoers made their way back to the drawing room and ballroom.

  Overhearing a dozen compliments about the dinner, Sylvia smiled. Anthony would be the talk of London just as they’d planned. His mother would leave him to his cavorting, and he would be happy. An ache started deep inside her. It was what she wanted. She just had to convince her heart of that fact.

  The music resumed, and she danced with Miles then Mr. Tucker before retreating to the corner and watching the revelers. Serena danced once with Sir Henry, but it was cool and polite, if her expression was to be believed. She accepted two more dances with Lord Stansfield and appeared far more engaged and happier. Mother might think herself disappointed, but once Serena was happily a countess, she’d be delighted. It was just a matter of having Stansfield propose before Sir Henry.

  Between dances, she found Serena and pulled her to the outskirts of the ballroom, where they could speak in private. “I have an idea.”

  Serena clapped her hands. “What is it?”

  “I think we need to keep you away from Sir Henry until Lord Stansfield works up his nerve to ask for your hand. Let’s get Mother to agree to a short vacation at the country house. Then you and I will go to Lord Grafton’s house party. Mrs. Horthorn can chaperon both of us unless Mother is determined to go. Either way, I will make sure you and Stansfield have time together, and hopefully he will propose before we return to London.”

  Serena’s eyes misted. “Do you really think so? He is nice, and I like him so much more than Sir Henry, but he is not terribly loquacious. How will I ever win him?”

  “Serena, he must win you, not the other way around. If you like him, he will ask.” Sylvia pulled her in for a quick hug. “All will be well. You just tell Mother that you are tired and would like a fortnight in the country, and insist I come too. I will tell Lady Jane that I will be away. The house party is all prepared, and the final items, I can take care of before we leave or when we arrive at Riverdale.”

  With her head tilted, she put her finger to her chin. “I would prefer to avoid Sir Henry. I will do as you say, and we shall hope for the best at your earl’s estate.”

  “He is not my earl.”

  Serena smiled with a wicked glint. “Oh, I think he very much is.”

  * * * *

  The last of the guests left, and Sophia found her staring out the veranda doors to the dark garden. The torches had all gone out hours before.

  Sophia took a deep breath. “It was a lovely ball. You’ve made my brother look every bit the earl he aspires to be. You should be very proud of yourself.”

  “Thank you, my lady. I think it went well. Are you and his lordship leaving now?”

  “Yes. Mother went to bed, and Anthony has disappeared. Would you like us to take you home?”

  A pang of regret shot through Sylvia as she thought of what woman Anthony might have disappeared with. “Thank you, but the Everton carriage is waiting for me, as is Mrs. Horthorn. I am well protected.”

  Sophia’s smile was warm as she leaned in for a sisterly hug. “Then I bid you good night. I look forward to seeing you at Riverdale.”

  “I have a wonderful week planned,” Sylvia said.

  “I’m certain you do.”

  “Sophia, are you ready?” Lord Marlton called from the door. He held her light blue wrap over his arm.

  “Yes, Daniel.” She walked to her husband, and he waved good night to Sylvia.

  Once the front door closed and she was alone, she knew she should find Mrs. Horthorn and go home, but she stepped into the cool night air.

  She felt him before he spoke. “I thought they would never leave.”

  “Didn’t you enjoy the ball?” Maybe she had gone overboard with the food and drink, but everyone had a good time and his next invitation would be coveted.

  The guttering light from the ballroom cast him
in romantic shadows. “It was all perfect. I couldn’t have asked for anything more except to have you alone. And here you are.”

  “I will be leaving shortly.”

  “But not yet.” He ran his fingers along her upper arm.

  A chill filled with promise and delight flowed through her from everywhere his skin met hers. “What are you doing, Tony?”

  “Wishing I hadn’t been such a fool where you are concerned. Praying it’s not too late.” His breath tickled her cheek.

  “Too late for what? We are friends. You are my employer. There is nothing more between us.”

  More of the candles in the ballroom chandeliers guttered out, until they were left in darkness. “I should have noticed how beautiful you are sooner. Well, I noticed, but I told myself it didn’t matter that you are stunning, smart and funny. I was sure I never wanted what other people covet.”

  Stepping away, she stumbled in the dark. He caught her elbow and righted her, causing her chest to press against his. “I saw you talking to your actress and assumed you would leave tonight with her or invite her to stay.”

  “I have not spent time with her since you became my Everton lady, Sylvie. I have given up my rakish ways with no regrets.” His lips pressed to her forehead.

  She knew she should pull away, but her body betrayed her, and she leaned into the kiss, letting the warm sensuality of meeting in the darkness wash over her. “Miles told me you had stopped seeing her, but I thought he just didn’t know who you’ve begun seeing since.”

  Moving back enough to put space between them, but keeping one hand on her arm, he said, “You spent a lot of time with Miles Hallsmith tonight.”

  “Yes. He is very charming.” It was the truth.

  “Is Miles my competition?” Anger bit into his words.

  “Are we part of a horse race? If so, I want no part of it.” She pulled away from his reach. “I will be going to the country with my family for two weeks. I will drive directly to Riverdale from my family’s home. You shouldn’t worry, all is in order and Serena and I will arrive a day or two earlier than the other guests.”