by Fanny Finch
If they were arguing, it could only be about one thing. Or one person, that is.
She immediately felt guilt layer the surface of her previous joy. The man she loved had come calling on her, a sure sign that she would soon be just where she wanted to be in life.
But her choice to become a companion could have put her reputation in jeopardy, as well as Leander’s and possibly Lady Eugenia’s because everyone would realize she let her companion take a husband before she did.
A servant was not to step over the master or in this case, mistress.
It was not as though she had done it on purpose. It was an accident. She had bumped into the man of her dreams…literally.
The corners of her lips twitched as she remembered how it felt to brush against his sleeve when they danced, how the touch of his hand sent pleasant tingles down her arm and into her chest. She found his presence to be so masterful and comforting, yet she was nervous and aware each time they were close enough to touch.
She held her breath when she distinctly caught her name being hissed by the Viscount of Culross. A feeling of dread swept over her. He had not said her name in a nice way. That was not a good thing. It cast a sense of foreboding over her and she looked into Lady Eugenia’s eyes.
Her friend reflected back a look of worry.
Once again, Lady Eugenia sprang to her feet. She held out her hand to Hestia, who took it and rose to stand next to her.
“We will go and see what is being said. I think it is the only way we will get the absolute truth.”
“I do not know if I want to do that.” Hestia stayed back a bit. She did not like confrontation with Lord Callow. He was normally a very jolly man. But Hestia had seen him perturbed once or twice and it was not a pleasant thing.
His normally pale face turned a bright red. It almost looked like the big man might explode into a million pieces when his temper was at its worst.
Hestia was glad she had only experienced that anger from him a handful of times since her arrival.
“But they are talking about us,” Lady Eugenia sounded offended. “I want to know what is being said. It is only right that they tell us what they are saying. It is wrong to hold back and not speak the truth to someone’s face.”
“I think your father has objected to Lord Price coming here to talk to him about me instead of the daughter of the house.”
Lady Eugenia frowned slightly. “Yes, I think you are right, Hestia. As much as I do not want to admit it. I think we should stand up for Lord Price, do you not agree? I am willing to confess my part in this scheme. After all, I am the one who promised you I would help you win over Lord Price.”
She smiled, patting Hestia’s arm. “You see, my dear, I set up everything to go the way it did so that you would have some time to speak with Lord Price without any pressure. I knew your mother would be late. I planned it that way. She was to be delayed so you could have the first dance with Lord Price.”
Hestia tilted her head. “But what if Lord Price had not asked for the first dance with me?”
Lady Eugenia snorted softly. “Do not be a silly girl. Of course he would choose the first dance. He is not going to place himself second, will he?”
Hestia’s grin spoke volumes. “He should never place himself second to anyone. Least of all for me. But that shows the humility of the man. That is an admirable trait.”
“Ah, love,” Lady Eugenia teased, sticking out the tip of her tongue. “We see so many admirable traits in the beginning. But what is developed in time is what a woman should put her hopes in. That is what my mother has always said.”
“Your mother is very wise. I will take that advice to heart and remember it.”
Hestia looked at the closed door of the parlor. “What about Miss Drusilla? Will Lord Price’s father agree to a union between him and me?” She lost her smile, casting a worried glance at Lady Eugenia. “My family money woes may cause him to object.”
“I wonder if Lord Price would be here if he knew his father would object?” Lady Eugenia looked out in front of her thoughtfully, staring at the chandelier that hung over the balcony.
Hestia did not know the answer to the question so she remained quiet.
“I have nothing to say to that, Lord Price,” the Viscount of Culross’s voice came through loud and clear. The girls looked at each other.
Hestia felt a rush of adrenaline. His voice did not sound happy. Lady Eugenia’s face reflected Hestia’s worry.
Oh no, Hestia thought. He is unhappy Leander came here without the intention of courting Eugenia.
She twisted her hands in her lap, rubbing her fingers together nervously. What would happen now? It seemed there were so many obstacles placing themselves between her and Leander. Miss Drusilla being the most obvious. But now Leander had humiliated himself and hurt his reputation by asking to court the companion of a lady, an employee, a servant.
Hestia was dismayed. She felt like crawling into a corner and disappearing. She had not intended to ruin Leander’s reputation in society. It appeared that was what she had done by showing her attraction to him.
She took Lady Eugenia’s hand. “I do not want to be here right now, Eugenia. Let us find somewhere else to wait until the men are finished talking.”
“If we go to our rooms or outside, we might miss him when he leaves. We should stay close.”
“Perhaps. But I do not want to stay here. I want to go somewhere that is hidden from view when he comes out, not in plain sight.”
“Come with me, Hestia.”
She took Hestia’s hand and they both stood up. Lady Eugenia led Hestia around the corner of the small hallway and around to the front foyer. It was large and spacious. On one side, a tall bookshelf was filled with books of all sizes.
“I know you have seen all these and probably read some,” Lady Eugenia said. “But there is no harm in looking to see if there are any new books.”
Hestia drew her eyebrows together, giving Lady Eugenia a curious look. “What do you mean? I always know when…”
Lady Eugenia lifted her eyebrows, tilting her head. She pursed her lips. “Come now. Are you sure about that? It might take you a while, but you could look to see if there is anything new.”
Hestia realized her friend was telling her to pretend to examine the books as they waited for Leander to come from the other room.
“Oh,” she said. Lady Eugenia laughed and they both turned to the bookshelf, staring blankly at the many titles.
Chapter 26
“It is good to see you, Lord Price,” the Viscount of Culross stood up when Leander entered the room. They bowed to one another and the viscount held out one hand in the direction of a chair near him. “Please have a seat.”
“Thank you, Lord Callow.” Leander sat, moving the tails from behind him so that he did not sit on them. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.
“I trust you enjoyed the party?”
“I did, yes. I am impressed with what you’ve done in the garden. I hear Lady Eugenia had a hand in that.”
“Yes, she did. My daughter is very creative. She enjoys colorful things.”
“I am sure.”
“She has been raised to take care of a family and to make intelligent decisions.”
“I did want to mention how impressed I am with your book collection, Lord Callow.” Leander swept his hand around the parlor, indicating the bookshelves, one placed against each wall, stacked high with books of all sizes.
The Viscount of Culross turned his head and glanced at them. “Yes, it is an impressive collection. It belonged to my father and grandfather. I have been adding to it for many years but it is not as impressive as what they left to me.”
“Have you read them all?”
The viscount threw his head back and laughed. It made his belly bounce and jiggle. “I have nothing to say about that, Lord Price. I can tell you that Eugenia and her companion do a lot of reading. We do have the library, which you may or may not have se
en at the party…”
Leander nodded. “I did see it. You also have several more bookshelves in the foyer, do you not? There are books in every room of the house?”
The two men laughed. “It is a possibility,” the Viscount of Culross said with amusement. “There is always a chance someone has left a book in the kitchen or a bedroom.” The large man turned his head and barked out a name, making Leander jump. He grinned at himself and waited for the footman to come through the door.
“Alexander, go fetch Lady Eugenia please.”
“Yes, my lord,” the young man bowed at the waist and backed out. The door closed and the Viscount of Culross looked at Leander. “I am sure my daughter would like to know you are here.”
Leander nodded. If Lady Eugenia knew he had come, she would surely bring Hestia with her. Chances were good they were together anyway.
He thought about Lady Eugenia and smiled. He had seen her with David Wake while they were dancing and recognized the chemistry between them almost immediately. He was familiar with David, having kept up with both the baron’s sons after the house party.
He had no complaints about the man and thought he and Lady Eugenia would make a good match, should they decide to court.
“I hope so,” Leander replied. “She is good friends with Lady Hestia, is she not?”
Leander was surprised when the smile on the older man’s face faltered. He felt a bit of nervousness slide through him as if he had brought up a bad topic.
“Lady Hestia? You mean Hestia, Lady Eugenia’s companion?”
Leander nodded once. “Yes.”
“She and Hestia are good friends,” the Viscount of Culross rested his hands on his large belly, lacing his fingers together. He gave Leander a close look. “Are you concerned with the way servants are treated? My daughter is very respectful of all servants, no matter their station. She is a free-thinker and will often give the benefit of the doubt where it is not deserved.”
Leander realized what the viscount was thinking. It was like a flame lit in his mind and he sat back instinctively. “Yes. I am quite concerned with how servants are treated. I have no doubt that Lady Eugenia is pleasant to work for.”
The Viscount of Culross thought he was there to see Lady Eugenia. Leander suddenly found himself in an awkward position. He could not tell the viscount he was there specifically to see Hestia. As the companion, she was not the lady of the house. It would create a scandal. It would be considered rude.
And he had done it to himself. He put himself in this situation. He had to think quickly to avoid more.
The door opened and Alexander came in, followed by Lady Eugenia and Hestia.
Leander settled his eyes immediately on Hestia, a smile covering his face whether he wanted it to or not.
“Here she is!” the viscount announced his daughter, pulling himself out of the chair with a mighty heave. He held his hands out to Lady Eugenia, who went to him and kissed his round cheek.
“Hello, Father,” she said affectionately.
“I know you have met Lord Price, have you not?”
Lady Eugenia curtsied to Leander, who bowed at the waist. “Lady Eugenia,” he said. “It is good to see you again. I trust you are well today?”
“I am, thank you, Lord Price. You remember Lady Hestia, my companion?”
“I do.”
“Hestia, you may leave.” The Viscount of Culross waved one hand toward the door, looking at Hestia.
Hestia’s eyes flicked to Lady Eugenia, who held out one hand to her father. “I would like for her to stay, Father. Perhaps Lord Price would like to go for a walk in the garden? He expressed some interest in it at the party.”
The viscount nodded vigorously. “That is an excellent idea. How would you feel about that, Lord Price?”
“I like the idea, sir. I would be glad to walk the garden with you ladies.”
“It is settled then. I would be interested in hearing any suggestions and ideas you have to improve upon Eugenia’s alterations, Lord Price.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate your faith in my gardening tastes.” Leander let out a pleasant laugh, making the older man smile wide as he plopped himself back down into his chair. He seemed to dismiss the younger people, picking up his eyeglasses and shoving them on his nose. He adjusted them and picked up the open book on the table next to him.
Leander looked at Lady Eugenia and then Hestia. The three all smiled at each other. He stepped up to them, extending his elbows. They each took one and went to the door.
He opened it and let the women through.
None of them spoke a word until they were out of the house and down on the front lawn.
“Well, that was an awkward thing to happen,” Leander said. “Your father believes I am here for you, Lady Eugenia, but I have come to see Hestia. I am sure you are aware of this?”
Leander raised his eyebrows, his eyes on Lady Eugenia.
“I am aware,” Lady Eugenia covered her mouth, giggling. “Come, I know a path through the maze in the back where we can go and will not be seen.”
The three walked along the stone walkway toward the maze made of tall shrubs.
“I have not seen a maze before,” Leander said as they approached. He looked up and down the shrubs, seeing two other openings on either end. “How hard is it to get lost?”
“It is not hard to get lost,” Lady Eugenia said with a smile. “But it does not take long to find an exit, either. It is only for a bit of excitement and fun. It was not intended to scare anyone.”
The three went down the first aisle into the maze. Lady Eugenia stepped a little faster, turning her head to say quickly to Hestia. “I will show you two the way.”
She hurried up ahead of them, leaving Hestia and Leander behind with enough space in between that they might have a semi-private conversation.
Leander watched her with a grin. “I think she’s trying to help us out again. You have a good friend in her.”
“Yes, she is a wonderful girl. I am blessed to be her companion.”
“I am glad you are her companion, as well.”
Hestia raised her eyebrows, looking up into his clear blue eyes with curiosity. “You are? Why on earth would you be glad? It could be quite an obstacle for us.”
“I cannot help being glad of it, Lady Hestia,” Leander’s voice was smooth when he spoke. “If you were not her companion, I may not have met you. And I would be doomed to a life with a woman I do not love.”
He clasped his hands behind his back in an effort to resist reaching to touch Hestia. He wanted to rest his hand on her lower back or on her shoulder. He wanted to pull her into a warm hug. He wanted to kiss her soft lips.
But he would not. Those were things that would wait until they were married.
The thought of marrying Hestia made Leander’s heart pound like a drum. He thought for a moment she might hear it. The sound was beating a rhythm in his ears. He glanced down at her but she was looking straight forward, her face lit up with happiness.
He loved seeing her that way. When they’d first met, she seemed desperately unhappy. Though he knew she would never admit it, he’d gotten that feeling from her. It was nowhere to be seen now.
She saw him looking at her and turned her head to give him a smile.
He smiled back.
As they turned a corner to follow Lady Eugenia, he looked up over Hestia’s head to the entrance of the maze. Back where the garden started, at the gate, Leander spotted someone. It looked like the footman that had brought Hestia and Lady Eugenia to the parlor. Leander struggled to remember the young servant’s name.
Alexander.
The young man turned when Leander saw him and retreated to the front veranda of the house.
Leander saw all of it in an instant and almost stumbled when his foot hit a rock jutting up out of the ground. He nearly lost his balance but managed to regain control without making himself look much of a fool.
Hestia did not laugh. She reached out and gr
abbed his arm to help stabilize him, looking concerned.
“Lord Price! Are you all right?”
He got his footing and grinned foolishly. “I learned to walk many years ago,” he said, sheepishly. “But sometimes I forget how.”
Hestia laughed. “Oh, Lord Price. I would not laugh but that was funny. I am glad you are unhurt.”
“I think I may have a bruised toe.”
“That is terrible. Is it life-threatening? Shall we dig your grave?”
“It might be necessary.” Leander sighed, slumping his shoulders. “It has been a pleasure knowing you, Lady Hestia.”
