Page 39 of Revealing a Rogue
Spinning Bronwyn about by the shoulders, Peyton said, “It’s a good thing I’ve known ye long enough to know that ye hate relying on others. But ye are a lady now and these…” Peyton deftly released the row of buttons and then tugged at the laces on Bronwyn’s corset. “Ye need me to get ye in and out of these contraptions.”
“Aye, Peyton, I needyou.” Stepping out of her dress and into the tub, Bronwyn said, “I’ve always been self-sufficient. Having everyone on hand…waiting on me…watching to see what error I’ll make next…” A jug of water fell over her head and face. Spluttering, Bronwyn turned to glare at her maid.
“Ye are a fool if ye really believe anyone in the Network would be thinking like that. Open yer eyes. Ye’re surrounded by us, those ye have led within the Network. If we are over attentive, it is because we want to see ye happy and succeed. We believe in ye, Bronwyn Cadby Neale, and we couldn’t be prouder to serve ye as Countess of Hadfield.”
Bronwyn’s eyes welled with tears.
Peyton handed her a washcloth. “Ye know, it’s an adjustment for me too. It’s the first time I’ve ever had to sleep in a bed all to meself.” Peyton’s family had lived next door to Bronwyn’s. Four years Bronwyn’s junior, Peyton was one of five children.
“That must be scary, sleeping all alone.”
“Oh, no. It’s not scary. It’s wonderful.” Peyton smiled. “I like not waking up to a foot or an elbow in my ribs.”
They both let out a giggle.
Peyton sobered and said, “Ye know…” Her maid ran the soapy cloth over Bronwyn’s shoulders. “If I didn’t believe in ye, I’d never have applied to be yer maid. Ye are an inspiration to many of us girls. Ye was the first to convince the Network elders that unmarried female members could be contributors and not merely procreators. And ye did so before Lady Theo inherited and proved to all ye were right.”
It was true. Bronwyn had waged war with her dad in order to gain permission to work at Landon’s legal firm. If she could win over the Network elders, certainly she could do the same with the dozen or so guests under Archbroke’s roof.
The clack of heels came to a halt outside Bronwyn's door. As Peyton scurried to see who it was, a note appeared at the base of the door and slid through the small opening.
Her maid picked it up and read it. “Lord Hadfield is awaiting you in Lord Archbroke’s study.”
“Guess I best not make him wait.” Bronwyn placed a hand on the sides of the tub and began to stand.
Peyton shook her head. “Oh, no. I’m going to wash, dry, and brush that hair until it shines. And you are going to scrub your skin clean like we were taught.”
An hour later, Bronwyn stared at the woman in the looking glass. Peyton peeked over her shoulder and winked. The pink silk dress fell perfectly to the ground in simple, elegant lines. Her hands began to sweat in her white elbow-length gloves.
With a deep sigh, Bronwyn said, “Wish me luck.”
“It’s not luck ye will be needing.” Peyton gave her a push toward the door. “A steel will to resist that husband of yours and ensure he doesn’t muss up your coiffure before dinner.”
Over her shoulder, Bronwyn answered, “I’ll be sure to tell his lordship it was you who ordered him to keep his hands to himself.” With a wink, she shut the door.
Practically skipping down the hall, she rounded the corner and quickly checked to make sure no one was about. She shifted a painting of Lord Archbroke’s great-great grandfather and stuck her finger in what appeared to be a knot in the wood paneling, but was in reality access to the latch of the secret passageway. Carefully repositioning the painting, Bronwyn slid into the narrow passageway and closed the entrance door. Thank goodness she wasn’t afraid of confined spaces or the dark. Theo had shown her how to access all the secret passages built into the mansion, informing her that the ones at Hadfield Hall were all similarly located and connected the same rooms. As a child, Theo had loved discovering the false walls and intricate latches, only to be disappointed when she married Lord Archbroke and learned all three PORF family country estates were built in the same fashion. It was all new to Bronwyn, and she reveled in the clandestine nature of the designs.
She pushed on the door that led to the study. As she stepped through the exit, an arm wrapped about her waist, and her back came into contact with the warm, hard chest of her husband.
Landon’s lips landed softly on the crook of her neck slightly below her ear. “I was about to give up waiting and come get you.”
“You—give in? Never.”
Landon chucked and placed another kiss upon her sensitive skin. Bronwyn tilted her neck to allow him better access, but then Peyton’s parting words floated through her mind, and she stiffened and pulled out of his embrace. “Impatient to parade me before the piranhas?”
“I wouldn’t allow any such creatures near you.” Landon’s eyebrows knit together as he moved past her toward the door. “I don’t claim they don’t exist, and we will come in contact with them when we return to London, but here, tonight, you will meet those I consider friends.”
Landon’s cool tone left no doubt she had disappointed and offended her husband. Bronwyn was about to apologize when the door swung open. An attractive lady with dark mahogany hair barreled into Landon. Since it wasn’t Theo nor Mary, Bronwyn ducked behind her husband to avoid detection.
Landon’s hands shot out to steady the stranger, who he greeted. “Lady Grace.”
Ah. The elusive Foreign Secretary.
Slightly out of breath, Lady Grace said, “Lord Hadfield, I apologize.”
Unexpectedly Landon shifted to his right, and Bronwyn quickly drew her skirts closer about her, but she wasn’t sure if she had succeeded in hiding her presence.
Lady Grace said, “I was looking for Matthew.”
