by Fanny Finch
She wondered how he was feeling at that moment. She wished he were nearby so she could talk to him. She allowed herself to daydream for just a moment, thinking about a time when she would run after their little boy and Leander would be close on her heels. They would all be laughing and having a good time together. She would have him by her side. Always.
“Hestia has done a wonderful job with me,” Lady Eugenia was saying. “I do not see the problem. Many of the people in London already know Hestia. They know her situation simply because she was a lady of the season last year and was not in that same role this year. She is not disrespected.”
“When rumors spread based on things like this,” her father replied, “they tend to get distorted and it ends up sounding much worse than it actually was. This is something I know that I do not want to know. Your mother has told me some of the most outlandish…” He stopped, shaking his head. “I will not go into this. I do not see this as a good thing for our family.”
Hestia paid closer attention to their conversation. Her heart sped up nervously. She put one hand to her chest as if that would slow it down. She forced herself to breathe steady and slow.
“You must think of the family first, Eugenia,” the Viscount of Culross said. He was not looking at Hestia. She knew that was not a good sign.
“Father, I do not understand what you are saying.”
“I am saying that you must decide between having your companion or finding your own way.”
Hestia frowned. Was the man willing to put his daughter out if Hestia stayed on as her companion? It made no sense to her at all.
Lady Eugenia lowered her eyes to her hands, her brow furrowed in frustration and sorrow.
There was no way Hestia would allow Lady Eugenia to be dismissed from her own home.
“My lord, please allow me to apologize,” she said hastily. She resisted leaning toward him in her earnestness. “I did not mean to create any problems in your family. I love working here and accompanying Lady Eugenia. She and I are good friends.”
“There are duties a companion must resign themselves to, Hestia,” the Viscount of Culross said, sliding his eyes in her direction. “I find that you are lacking in some of the requirements.”
“Please, my lord, I do not wish to leave but I cannot allow you to dismiss Lady Eugenia based on my actions.”
“That is a wise choice.”
“Hestia, I do not want you to leave!” Lady Eugenia was on her feet. She was looking angrily at her father. “My father does not mean what he says. He loves me and he would never let me fall to the wayside. Would you, Father?”
The Viscount of Culross settled his eyes on his daughter. “I do not wish to bring shame to the family in this way.”
“I do not understand you,” Lady Eugenia said in a huff, crossing her arms across her chest.
Hestia watched her fuming. “You are saying that banishing your daughter would not be shameful?”
“There are reasons for everything, daughter. It is best if you leave this kind of thing up to me.”
“What do you mean, this kind of thing?” Lady Eugenia had successfully distracted the Viscount of Culross from his focus on Hestia. “Are you saying that you plan to dictate who I will marry and when?”
“Until you are 21 years of age yes.”
Lady Eugenia balled up her fists and stood with her back straight. “I will marry the man I choose, Father. Whether it is someone you approve of or not. You should be able to trust my judgment when it comes to that.”
“That is sometimes not the best way.”
“Just because it is your way does not mean it is the best way.”
“When it comes to our family, it does.” The Viscount of Culross looked like he did not want to discuss it further. He turned away from them so they could only see his profile. He stared into the fire, which was dwindling away.
Hestia guessed he was not really looking at the fire, or he may have stoked it. He was still thinking.
She looked at Lady Eugenia, unsure of what to do. Her friend was staring at her father, her arms still folded across her chest. She glanced at Hestia and shook her head.
Hestia stood up, not knowing what to do. Should she leave the room? Pack her things? Sit back down?
She twitched, looking down at the chair. She did not want to leave her friend in the lurch. “It will be all right, Lady Eugenia, I will take my leave. I do not want to be in a household that does not want me there.”
“I want you here, Hestia,” Lady Eugenia’s voice was pleading. It hurt Hestia’s heart but she shook her head.
“I do not wish to cause any discord between you and your family. I certainly would not want you to be left out on the streets.”
Lady Eugenia gasped, her hand flying to cover her red lips. “Father! You tell her you did not mean that when you said it.”
She turned back to Hestia. “He would never do that to me, Hestia. You do not need to leave. He will change his mind. I do not want a different companion.”
“I believe it is the right thing to do, Lady Eugenia. And I believe your father agrees with me.”
“I do,” the Viscount of Culross said immediately. Hestia felt hurt by the abruptness of his agreement.
She dropped her shoulders and tilted her head to the side. She let the pain pass through and then shook it off as best she could. “I will pack my things now. If you have the carriage ready for me, I will go home this afternoon.”
“Yes, that would be best. I do wish you luck, Hestia. You are a good woman. I am sure you will make a fine wife, as well.”
The Viscount of Culross spoke generously. Hestia detected a hint of regret in his voice.
“You go ahead upstairs if you want, Hestia,” Lady Eugenia said in a wobbly voice. “Do not leave until I have spoken with you again. Do you hear me?”
Hestia nodded, her eyes damp. Lady Eugenia was very upset about her leaving. She turned and went to the door with quick steps. The sooner she got out and up to her room, the sooner she would be able to let out her emotions.
She stepped out into the foyer and closed the door behind her. Instead of immediately walking to the stairs, she held the door behind her and rested her head back against it. Without meaning to, she caught the conversation Lady Eugenia started as soon as the door closed.
“Father, how can you be so cruel to Hestia? She has always been loyal to this family, even though her own is so disloyal to her.”
“Lord Price damages his reputation coming to see Hestia here, Eugenia. If he wishes to further damage it, he can do it another way. If Hestia is not working here, he is free to speak to her as a lady. As long as she works here, she is not worthy of him.”
“But Lord Price’s father may object to it all. That will leave Hestia out in the cold.”
“I know that you are fond of the girl, Eugenia. But she is not my daughter and therefore, not my concern. She was employed here as a companion to my daughter. Nothing more.”
“She is our social superior,” Lady Eugenia pointed out. “Her father is an earl.”
“A lot of good that gets him!” the Viscount of Culross snapped. “To have a daughter choose to work for money rather than find a husband to help the family. That is a shame on him. It exposes him as the sham he is. He cannot make a successful business deal to save himself or his family.”
“I thought you liked Hestia, Father.”
Hestia was touched by the sound of sorrow in her friend’s voice.
“I do like her, Eugenia. She has a great deal of gumption and willpower. She is a strong young woman. But she has made her decision to leave and I think it is a good one. I do not wish to have any reputations tarnished by the constant visits of Lord Price to see my daughter’s companion.”
Hestia had heard enough. She pushed herself away from the door and took the stairs up two at a time, holding her skirt up over her ankles with one hand.
She bolted into her room and closed the door behind her. She crossed the room to the be
d and threw herself face-first on it. The tears were close behind.
Chapter 29
Hestia only let herself cry for a few minutes. She tried to convince herself that leaving her employment with Lady Eugenia did not mean a return to life in the Stalwood mansion would be a horrible thing. She would find different employment… unless Lord Price was able to convince his father that he was marrying her and not Miss Drusilla.
She pushed herself up from the bed and sat up, resting both hands at her sides. She looked around the room. She was a little surprised at how much she had gathered. She did not know it was so much. She would need at least two extra bags from the amount she’d brought with her.
She did not know where her luggage bags were. Moving in was not meant to be permanent but she did not know it would only be a year. She pushed up from the bed and went to the dresser, pulling open her drawers one by one. She emptied the contents onto the bed, carrying it in piles in her hands that she laid gently on the mattress.
She went about putting everything she owned on top of the mattress before going to her wardrobe.
A half-hour went by before she heard her doorknob turn and the door creaked softly as it opened. Lady Eugenia was the only person who came in her room without knocking so she was not surprised when she looked up and saw her young friend standing there.
There were red rings around her eyes and she was looking mournfully at the pile of Hestia’s things on the bed.
“I do not want you to leave!” Lady Eugenia said with a pout in her voice. “I want you to stay so we can have more adventures together. I have had more fun with you this season than I ever could have imagined having.”
“I know, Eugenia, but you will be fine on your own. And just think, if things work out well, you will see me at parties and events anyway.”
Lady Eugenia tried to smile but it was weak and wavering. “But I want to see you every day as I have been. I do not want to see you just on occasion.”
Hestia was touched. Lady Eugenia’s young age was coming out in full force. She looked like a spoiled child who’d had her favorite toy taken away from her.
She went to the young woman and put her arms around her shoulders. They hugged for a moment. Hestia could tell Lady Eugenia was trying not to cry.
“You will be fine, Eugenia. You will. Do not worry about me.” Hestia held the girl out in front of her at arm’s length, looking at her downtrodden face.
“But I am worried about you!” Eugenia cried out, covering her face with her hands. “What will I do if you are left out in the cold by your family? What if Lord Price ends up being a rake and you are hurt terribly? Oh, I will never forgive myself!”
Hestia grinned. “Oh no, Lady Eugenia, that will not happen. Please remember, I am here because I have the will to do whatever I must do. That will not stop now. I will always feel that way. Perhaps you will have me work for you as a nanny for the children you have with Mr. Wake?”
Lady Eugenia gasped, her eyes widening at Hestia. “Oh! Oh, Hestia!”
They both laughed.
“Nevertheless, I am still upset that you are leaving.”
Hestia was glad to see her friend was looking a little more chipper. She went to the bed and reached underneath. She knew there were at least two cloth bags pushed under there. She remembered putting them down there when she moved into the room. She dragged one out and set it on the bed in a free space.
She began to fill it with her personal items. Lady Eugenia watched her. She lifted her eyes at one point and looked directly at Hestia.
“I would offer to help but I do not want you to leave so I will not help you do it.”
“Oh, Eugenia. You are a silly girl.”
“I am not being a silly girl.” Lady Eugenia shook her head, her face solemn. “I am being serious. I do not want you to go. I keep thinking of all the adventures we could have, even after we are married.”
Hestia laughed. “When we are married, we will be free to do what we want. We can still have adventures. Hopefully, we will both be married soon and will not have to worry about what others think.”
Lady Eugenia sighed, folding her hands in her lap. She fluttered her eyelashes at Hestia, looking pretty in her anguish. “My mother says we will always be restricted in society’s eyes, held captive by the common beliefs and practices. She says the more things change in life, the more they look the same.”
“I agree with that. But I am much younger and have more to experience. It is nice to hear your mother’s bits of wisdom.”
Lady Eugenia smiled. “She is a wise woman. But I still will not help you pack your belongings. I do not want you to go.”
“You have said that already.”
“And I will continue saying it!” Lady Eugenia insisted, sticking out her bottom lip. “I do not see why you must go. Father says it will be better for everyone but I fail to see how losing you as a companion is good for me.”
“You will continue to grow. Besides,” she sat on the edge of the bed and looked across at Lady Eugenia fondly. “You have a suitor now. I know you will soon be on cloud nine and you will forget all about me.”
Lady Eugenia closed her eyes and shook her head. “No, no. I am sure that will not happen. I have come to rely on you. I enjoy seeing you every morning and spending my time with you.”
Hestia laughed. “You will not want to spend your time with me. You will want to spend it with Mr. Wake. Tell me, you already do, do you not? You think about him and wonder what he is doing at that moment?”
Lady Eugenia grinned. “At times. But not all the time.”
Hestia nodded, reaching over to pat her friend’s hand. “That will come with time. The more you spend with him, the more you will want to spend with him.”
“Do you really think so? I will forget about all my friends? Well, my one friend and companion. That is you, Hestia. I will miss you beyond words.”
“I know, Eugenia. I will miss you, too. But we will have time together again. I know we will. And if your father does hire another companion for you, you will have adventures with her, too.”
Lady Eugenia shook her head again. “I told him I do not want another companion. He said someone must accompany me to the balls because Mother cannot do it. I told him if I cannot have you as a companion, I do not want one.”
She giggled, putting one hand over her mouth. “He believes that I will not be able to find a proper husband because I would not be properly introduced.”
“But you have a little secret, do you not?” Hestia nodded in understanding. “You do not need any further introductions.”
“Yes, that is exactly what I mean.”
“I am glad you are happy, Eugenia. I do like to see you smiling.”
“I did not mean to get you in trouble, Hestia. I do hope you know that.”
“I do, do not trouble yourself.”
“And I will not blame Lord Price if he is upset with me.” She looked down at the floor, a sad look on her face. Hestia was surprised at the range of emotions her friend was going through in such a short amount of time.
“Now you must not think that way. A moment ago, you were happy. No one is angry with you, Eugenia. Everyone knows you do what you do out of the kindness of your heart.”
“I do try.”
“It is noticed and appreciated. Now you run along and let me finish. I will say goodbye before I go.”
“I am going to go down and tell Father I will not let you leave.” Lady Eugenia jumped to her feet. Hestia stood up and held out her hands.
“Please do not do that, Eugenia. It will cause a rift between you that I do not wish to happen. There is no need to plead on my behalf. I feel that God is leading me to where he wants me to go. I do have a small amount of savings from my work here. I will try to build on it for a while. Unless the Lord has other plans for me.”
Eugenia stared at her, twisting her small hands together. “Oh, Hestia, I do feel selfish but I know how much I will miss you being with me everywhere
I go.”
Hestia moved around the bed and took Eugenia’s hands in hers. She squeezed them warmly. “We will always be friends, Eugenia. And I do not think either of us will be lonely for much longer. I have faith. So should you.”
Lady Eugenia nodded. “I do, Hestia. I do. I will remember your words of wisdom, too. I suppose I will go downstairs while you finish here. I do not wish to see my best friend packing her things to leave me.”
She turned away from Hestia dramatically and strode to the door. “I will see you before you go, little Hestia.”
Hestia was amused by the young woman’s flamboyant departure. She also liked the fact that though the parting might be one of the last ones she and her friend would have, Lady Eugenia still left her smiling.
