Page 81 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
“They’re lovely girls, Lady Wade. All they need is confidence.”
“Just like my Georgie.”
Louisa smiled. “Exactly.”
“And you, my dear, what do you need?”
Louisa opened her mouth, but for a moment was too shocked to reply. “I need nothing, my lady.”
“Well I think we need to find you a husband.”
She gave a choked laugh. “I don’t think that’s part of your duties as my employer.”
“Perhaps not, but in the absence of your mother, I could help with that.”
“My mother was once very determined to see her daughters married.”
“Of course. A mother’s worst fear is that her daughter will not have her own home, her own happiness. You need to meet more young men. I should probably host a house party, but for now I think we should host a musicale. Georgie can play, you and Simon can sing, and of course you’ll all have to practice together for several hours every day.”
Louisa closed her eyes on a sigh. “You must stop trying to keep your grandson and me together, my lady. It will not work. He thinks I’m—” She bit back the words, embarrassed, heartsick, yet already so tired of secrets. She had tried to explain everything to her sisters in a letter this morning, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. It was only fair that this kind lady knew the truth.
“He thinks what, my dear?” Lady Wade asked. “I can tell that he appreciates you.”
“Not for any good reasons,” Louisa said in a low voice. “He thinks I’m…fast.”
Lady Wade straightened with a gasp. “Simon said that to you? Why ever would he—”
“It’s not his fault, my lady. Apparently there have been rumors about me for years that I knew nothing about. He’s been worried about my effect on Georgie’s reputation. That’s why he stayed close to us, why he came to the ball. I should go back to London, before Georgie’s chances at a good marriage are hurt.”
When Lady Wade said nothing, Louisa couldn’t bring herself to look at her and see disappointment or condemnation. She wondered how soon she could pack and leave. Her eyes burned with tears she didn’t want to shed.
“Simon’s first instinct might have been to protect Georgie,” Lady Wade said kindly, “but that’s not the whole truth.”
“My lady—”
“You forget that I know my grandson far better than you do. Your presence has changed him, Louisa, and you must never doubt that. I will not hear of you leaving.”
“But my lady—”
“I’m too old to care what people think. Upon meeting you, anyone who believes such outlandish rumors is not worth our consideration. You have earned our loyalty, Louisa, and I will not abandon you—or allow you to abandon yourself.”
Louisa wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and tried to smile. “You are too good to me,” she said faintly. “But I have to leave sometime.”
“Not yet, please. Give it some thought and promise me that you’ll make no decision until you consult me.”
“Of course, my lady.”
“Good. Now why don’t you read this letter back to me, because my eyes are quite tired today, and I’ve lost my place.”
Louisa humored her, even though Lady Wade’s eyesight was sharp, and she saw too much.
~oOo~
The Chester sisters stayed for dinner, and Mr. Wade charmed them until their faces were red from laughing and blushing. Louisa watched one of the sisters glance repeatedly at Simon, who though quieter than normal, still participated. Perhaps this was what Lady Wade meant by Louisa helping Simon. Was she supposed to make him see that women found him intriguing?
Or had Lady Wade had a third reason for hiring Louisa from the beginning—for Simon himself?
Now that Lady Wade knew the truth, surely she couldn’t believe such a union possible.
