A Dangerous Debut: A Sweet Regency Romance (Ladies of Mayfair Book 5)

by Wendy May Andrews

  “Not exactly.” Daisy did not wish to dwell on her reasons for leaving her post. “Of which school of thought do you suppose your mother is, my lord? Should I be prim and proper, as Lady Sadbury would prefer?”

  “I think you need only be yourself, Miss Daisy, and you will be a success.”

  “Well, myself is a governess making an effort to get another position. I highly doubt that will be acceptable in your mother’s drawing room.” Seeing the viscount about to object to her words, Daisy hurried to interrupt. “I know what you are saying, though, my lord. You meant I should be natural, right?” At his nod, she plowed on. “That is a relief, my lord, as I suspect it would be difficult for me to prevaricate for an entire week. Now tell me, my lord, what sorts of activities do you suppose your mother has planned for us?”

  Chapter Seven

  “Are you getting nervous at this late stage?” Jasper stared at the lovely lady across from him. He was unsure how to manage the silly chit. She was such a contradiction. If he wasn’t quite convinced that she hated untruths, he would wonder if she was lying to him. It was hard to figure her out. He watched her emotions chase themselves across her face and waited for her answer.

  “Well, of course I am nervous, my lord,” she declared, not bothering to hide her feelings. “I will not know anyone except you and my maid, and I am beginning to feel that we are endeavoring to defraud your parents in some way. I am wondering how I ever allowed myself to be talked into entering this charade.”

  Jasper grew concerned as his companion looked to be on the verge of tears, but then his admiration for her grew once more as she regained her composure. He watched in fascination as she pulled her tattered feelings back into herself and she offered him a tremulous but warm smile. “I apologize, my lord, I promise not to fall apart on you,” she laughed. “But yes, I am a trifle nervous.”

  “You have every right to your feelings, Daisy. I can understand your being nervous. I will admit to you that I am a little nervous myself. I have a lot hanging on our success. But I am fully confident that we will be a smashing success. My parents are going to love you — I am sure of it. And if they love you, they will be quite willing to part with some of their blunt in order to aid me in my efforts to set up a proper life for you.”

  Jasper knew he had gone too far when he saw her tilt her head in that adorable way she had when she wanted to analyze him further. He held his breath, knowing her inquisitive questions were to follow. He didn’t have long to wait.

  “How are they going to react when no relationship develops between us?”

  “We already have a relationship of sorts,” Jasper argued.

  Jasper had to bite his lip to contain his grin as he watched her roll her eyes in exasperation. “You know what I mean, my lord,” she huffed.

  “I suppose I do.” He laughed at her for a moment. “You mean, how will they react when they do not read any interesting announcements in the paper, correct?”

  “Exactly! Will they want their money back, do you suppose?” Daisy worried.

  “It is rather unlikely.”

  “How can you be certain?” she persisted.

  “You are a worrier, aren’t you, my dear Miss Daisy?”

  “I have found it to be a very practical quality, Lord Seaton, I must say.”

  “Now I beg of you, do not go getting all starchy on me, my dear. I did not intend my question as a criticism. I merely think you ought to concern yourself a little less about certain things. I know my parents rather well, and I can assure you, they would never ask for their money back. In fact, if you break my heart, they might be inclined to give me a little more.”

  Jasper had to exercise considerable control over his emotions not to burst into laughter at the serious scrutiny she subjected him to. “I am beginning to wonder if your entire family is quite daft, my lord.”

  “No doubt we are, Miss Daisy. Be sure to have a care, although I doubt it is contagious.”

  Daisy began to giggle. “Mayhap it is, my lord. Very well, I will leave you to concern yourself about your parents. I shall exert myself to enjoy the experience to the fullest, whatever the marchioness might have planned for us.”

  Jasper was left wondering for a few moments what was going through her mind as he watched her follow Kate’s gaze out the window to the passing scenery. She brought one more concern to him. “You do not suppose there is any chance your mother might have invited the Sadburys, is there?”

  “As I have never heard of them, I find it highly improbable,” Jasper offered, thinking to reassure her.

  “That is hardly a noteworthy explanation, my lord. Until a few days ago, you had never heard of me either, and here I am, a guest in your carriage.”

  Jasper gazed at her nonplussed. “I do see your point. However, do keep in mind that my father is the Marquis of Abernathy. While he is not overly high in the instep, I am quite certain that neither he nor my mother will wish to associate with a toad such as Sadbury.”

  Daisy blinked a few times before asking quietly, “Why would you call Lord Sadbury a toad? You just said you had never heard of them, and I have told you nothing.”

  “If they were all that was attractive and good, you would not have left their employ.”

  “They were not all that horrible, certainly not bad enough to call him a toad, since you have never even met him.”

  Jasper gazed at her, his eyebrows elevated. “Then why did you leave them? Since you were at Miss Holstein’s fine establishment hoping for another position, I am fairly certain it was not that you no longer needed the employment.”

  “It is really none of your affair, my lord, and has naught to do with our current adventure.” Daisy’s reply was prim but resolved. Jasper refrained from pressing the subject, although his curiosity ratcheted up another notch.

  Jasper watched in fascination as Daisy pulled a book from her pocket and began to read. He surmised she was done with his questions for now. As she feigned interest in her reading, he studied her curiously, wondering what was going through her mind. He would allow her to evade him for now but was determined to learn her secrets.

  Chapter Eight

  Charlotte was surprised to open the door to her friend’s frantic knocking. “Miss Holstein, do come in, whatever is the matter?”

  “Oh Charlotte, hurry and shut the door. I am quite certain I was not followed, but one can never be too sure.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Charlotte wondered if her friend had taken leave of her senses. “What has happened to put you in such a taking?”

  “Is your charge here?” Miss Holstein ignored Charlotte’s question, glancing around frantically.

  “Do you mean Daisy? I should say rather Miss Pembroke?”

  “Yes, yes, is Miss Pembroke here? Hurry and call her, this is quite an urgent matter.”

  Charlotte grabbed her friend’s hand and pulled her into her small, tidy sitting room. “Sit down, Jane. Should I pour you a cup of tea or perhaps something a touch stronger? You look as though you are going to fall over.”

  “Where is Miss Pembroke, Charlotte? This is important.” Miss Holstein’s fierce tone brought a flutter of nerves to Charlotte’s stomach.

  “She is not here. What is this about?” Now Charlotte was torn between fear and amusement. “Have you found her a position? She was quite anxious to speak with you, but you were not in your shop when she called around. I did not think you even knew she was looking for another post.”

  “I found out this morning by different means,” Miss Holstein replied, her tone ominous, her face nervous and pinched. She took the offered seat and smiled faintly at her friend as Charlotte poured her a small glass of whiskey. “Thank you, my dear, perhaps that is just what I need.”

  Charlotte waited with barely restrained impatience as her friend gathered her composure. “Are you ready to explain what has you in such a taking? And how is it connected with Miss Pembroke?”

  Miss Holstein placed the now empty glass on the table be
side her chair, took a fortifying, deep breath, leaned toward her friend, and declared in a fierce whisper, “Your dear Miss Pembroke is in some sort of danger and must be warned immediately.”

  Charlotte’s initial reaction was to laugh at her friend’s strange dramatics, but seeing how earnest she was, she quelled the impulse and strove for logic. “Why ever would you say that? She is perfectly safe. What sort of danger do you think she is in?” Charlotte had her misgivings about Daisy’s decision to accompany Lord Seaton, but she begged leave to doubt that he posed a threat to her, besides the fact that as far as she knew no one was aware of her scheme to accompany him.

  “Lord Sadbury and some weasely faced friend of his visited me at my shop this morning looking for Miss Pembroke. When I expressed my surprise that she was no longer in his employ, he became quite threatening. I had no idea she had left her post with Lady Sadbury’s children and was quite taken aback at the situation, but I had the presence of mind not to mention you. But as soon as they left my shop, I came here as quickly as I could, whilst making every effort to ensure I was not being followed.”

  Charlotte gazed at her visitor with a mixture of horror and admiration. “Did they say why they were looking for her?” she asked cautiously.

  “That is partially why I am so concerned. They could not seem to agree on a reason why they were asking after her. The weasel was insisting that it was a matter of grave importance, while Lord Sadbury merely said the children missed her and he wished to hire her back. When I told them I had no idea she had left their home, Lord Sadbury became quite ugly and began threatening me if I did not tell him her whereabouts. Well, I can tell you I was mighty put out by his behavior, and I made myself quite clear on the subject. He must have realized he was not going to get any information out of me right then because he finally left and took his friend with him, but as he was going he promised to return and declared I had better come up with some ideas where she could be. I hope I have not brought trouble to your door, Charlotte, but I did not know what else to do. I do not know anything about this. Do you know what these scoundrels could want with her? She seemed like a decent young woman when I interviewed her.” Now Miss Holstein, having recovered from her shock of being threatened, began to question her association with her client.

  “She is a decent young woman,” Charlotte declared, fiercely loyal. “I am grateful that you have come to me with this. Daisy came to see you several days ago to tell you she had left the Sadburys and to ask if you could arrange another position for her, but your shop was closed. I can assure you there is nothing unseemly about the situation from her standpoint. While she did not go into very much detail about why she left, I can vouch for her that she is a good person and not up to anything havey cavey. I have no idea why Sadbury would be so fierce or even why he would be looking for her. While I am sure losing their governess made them a little uncomfortable, Daisy’s dealings were always with Lady Sadbury, and I am certain the lady will be able to hire someone else in no time.”

  Miss Holstein looked unconvinced but subsided sufficiently for Charlotte to ask for more details. By the time she had her friend’s ruffled feathers soothed, she had all the information she could get out of her. When Miss Holstein was ready to leave, she took with her Charlotte’s assurance that if the gentlemen returned to question her she was free to disclose Charlotte’s address. She would handle their questions comfortably.

  “Do have a care, though, my friend. They made me highly uncomfortable, which is why I did not wish to direct them to you.”

  “I will have a care, thank you, and I am certain all will be well. I appreciate your concern. I will take care of this matter smartly.”

  Miss Holstein left Charlotte’s small house with a clear conscience and a lift back in her step, free of the concerns that had sent her scurrying there barely an hour earlier. She left a worried Charlotte in her wake.

  Charlotte nibbled the end of her pen as she wondered how to word the missive she would send to warn Daisy about her pursuers. There was no guarantee it would not be read along the way, and she did not wish to give away Daisy’s secrets. She could not write that her former employer was seeking her.

  Dear Miss Pembroke:

  I hope this note finds you well. I wished to inform you that acquaintances from your former residence have been looking for you with some rigor. Please advise.

  Sincerely, Charlotte

  Charlotte reread the note. She was not quite satisfied with it, but it was the best she could do. Daisy would have to make of it what she did. If the girl was not so ridiculously independent that she kept all her secrets to herself, perhaps she would not find herself in this strange predicament, Charlotte thought rather fiercely. Perhaps this will be a lesson to the girl to let her friends care for her a little more than she would usually allow.

  Charlotte worried herself into some fidgets, but she could not come up with any explanation that would have Lord Sadbury searching for his former governess. She forced herself to set the concerns aside with a mental shrug. If Miss Holstein sends them to her, she will have the opportunity to question them herself. In the meantime, she should hurry to post the letter to Abernathy.

  ~~~

  “A letter has arrived for you, Miss Pembroke.”

  Daisy was surprised to hear the softly modulated voice of the Marquis of Abernathy addressing her as she crossed to the stairs.

  “For me, my lord? How exciting. I do love receiving correspondence, and I did not think to receive any while I was in residence.” She kept a friendly smile on her lips while her mind was whirling with questions. The only person who knew her location was Charlotte, and she strongly doubted her old governess would risk her charade by writing to her.

  The marquis looked almost reluctant to pass the missive to her. His intelligent eyes, so like his son’s, searched her face before he handed it over. Daisy smiled as cheerfully as possible, hoping it masked the guilt she felt over their deception.

  She was having a lovely time whenever she was able to forget that she was there under false pretences. Mind you, she had difficulty putting that troublesome thought from her mind most of the time, but she really was enjoying herself quite immensely. The difficulty her conscience insisted on causing her was a small price to pay for this brief glimpse of what might have been.

  The marquis looked at her expectantly as she took the paper from his hands. Unsure what he was waiting for and hoping he did not wish for her to read the note in front of him, she glanced at the writing on the front, verifying for herself that it was indeed Charlotte’s hand.

  “Oh, how delightful, it is from my very dearest friend. Thank you so much for ensuring it got to me, my lord.” Daisy hoped that was sufficient as she turned to continue on her way up to her chamber. It was nearly time to prepare for the evening meal.

  The marquis’ voice stopped her once more as her foot was about to reach the bottom stair. “If you have any need of assistance, I trust you will come to me,” he began, as his piercing gaze again appraised her intently. “My wife has taken it into her head to be quite attached to you, and I do not trust that my son would have the wherewithal to be able to help, should you be in any kind of trouble. So you are stuck with me to assist you, should you have the need.”

  Daisy looked back at the marquis with her own assessing gaze. She felt a multitude of emotions vying for her attention at his words. She was gratified by the thought that the marchioness liked her, but her pleasure was negated by the obvious fact that the marquis did not share his wife’s joy at her company. And she could not abide his opinion of the viscount.

  She hoped her tone would remain polite, even though she heard the coolness in it as she said, “I thank you for your hospitality, my lord, and I will keep in mind your offer of assistance should I be in need, but my friendship with Lord Seaton will ensure that it is to him I will turn first, should I find myself in trouble.”

  Daisy was surprised to see respect flare in Abernathy’s eyes as he continued g
azing at her steadily. He bowed slightly to her and left the room on a soft tread. Shaking her head over the vagaries of the nobility, Daisy began the climb to her room. She knew the marquis would never admit to how alike he was to his son. She wished she could see some way of bridging the obvious gap that existed between Jasper and his father. Pushing such thoughts from her mind, she turned her attention back to the paper in her hand. She didn’t know why, but just looking at it made her nervous. She hurried up the stairs, determined to open it in the privacy of her room.

  Staring at the few, sparse words Daisy felt the bottom drop out of her stomach. The worst she had feared was about to befall her. She really ought to have changed her name and found another post. But it was obviously a little late to have such thoughts at this point and she set her mind to determining the best course of action. She was still sitting at the dressing table, staring off into space, when Kate arrived to help her get ready for dinner.

  Kate entered the room babbling away, so excited to be in the privileged position of lady’s maid to the honored guest of the heir of the house. After a moment, she realized her mistress was not attending her. “I’m sorry, miss, is my chatter boring you? You seem troubled.”

  Daisy shook herself out of her troubled thoughts. “No, no, Kate, I love hearing your chatter. I am delighted to know you are enjoying yourself as much as I am. I am merely finding the rigors of a house party to be more tiring than I had expected.” Plastering a convincing smile to her face, Daisy asked the maid, “What do you think I should wear this evening?”

  Kate was easy to convince to return to the duties she was apparently enjoying so much. Daisy laughed despite her worries. “You certainly look as though you do not mind being my maid, Kate. Are you sure you are all right with all of this?”

  “Oh miss, I am more than all right. I am enjoying myself immensely. I’m hoping that when you don’t need me anymore I’ll be able to get another position in a house like this. Even if I’m a chambermaid, I think it will be great fun.”