Page 34 of The Secret Life of a Lady
Betty shook her head. ‘Oh, no, miss. I’m sure he meant no harm. A lad as handsome as him is probably used to all the girls fawning. But I set him right. I told him I was too smart to let some man tie me down. I don’t answer to anyone except you and Lady Philippa, and that suits me just fine.’
Hannah didn’t miss the way her maid’s lips curled in a smile at the memory.
‘So, this stable boy is handsome, is he?’ Hannah couldn’t resist teasing.
‘Handsome won’t buy you eggs in the winter. That’s what my mum always told me.’
‘She sounds like a very bright woman.’
Betty’s voice grew soft. ‘She was. A right gem was my mum.’
‘Oh, Betty. I’m so sorry. I didn’t realise…’ Hannah could have kicked herself. How stupid for her not to know such a personal detail about her maid. The girl knew the most intimate particulars about Hannah’s life, yet she knew nothing in return.
Betty turned to the wardrobe and pulled out Hannah’s grey evening dress, laying it on the bed. ‘No need to apologise, miss. Mum would have been proud of me, working in such a fine house, with ladies as brave and wonderful as you and the duchess.’ She turned back around, all business. ‘We’ll get you out of your traveling clothes and ready for dinner, miss. You look wonderful in any dress, so it won’t matter if yours is plainer than the others.’ She bit her lip.
Hannah was saved from a response by a knock on her door.Betty rushed to open it, and Philippa swept in wearing a stunning evening gown of cobalt overlaid with black lace.
‘You aren’t dressed yet.’
Betty’s hands shook as she unbuttoned Hannah’s dress. ‘That’s my fault, Your Grace. I’ll have her ready in a trice.’
‘Don’t rush, Betty. A late entrance is so much more dramatic.’ Philippa perched elegantly on a rose and gold chair in the corner of the room as Betty bustled around Hannah. ‘Shall we review our strategy for the evening?’
Hannah lifted her arms, and Betty removed her brown travel dress. Hannah waited until the dress cleared her head before she answered. ‘Certainly. We know Lord Cavendale, his son, and eldest daughter, Miss Ivy Cavendale, are in attendance. Miss Millicent Whittenburg will also be here. And of course, Lord and Lady Bradford. Philippa, you mustn’t say anything about the man’s moustache.’
Philippa laughed. ‘Well, certainly not to his face, but you can’t expect me to stay completely mute on such a ridiculous subject.’ She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. ‘Delacroix was able to find out from Ivy Cavendale’s maid that Lord and Lady Hastings are also in attendance with their daughter.’ Delacroix was Phillipa’s lady’s maid and was skilled at discovering information from the servants’ quarters. ‘Apparently, Miss Annabelle Hastings is pursuing Alfred Cavendale. Or at least, her mother is pursuing a son-in-law with Cavendale’s pedigree and purse.’
‘Quite the gathering. Which suits our purpose. It’s always easier to disappear in a crowd.’ Hannah stepped into her grey gown, and Betty began the arduous task of fastening the buttons along the back. Hannah shimmied her shoulders to help Betty adjust the dress. It was high-necked, terribly unfashionable, and far less revealing than the silver dress she had worn to accompany the duke. At least she could move her arms freely.
‘I heard there’ll be another gentleman in attendance. St George something-or-other.’ Betty finished the last button and ushered Hannah to a chair so she could attack her hair with a brush.
Hannah cocked her head. ‘Lord Franklin St George?’
Betty broke into a wide grin, her eyes flashing. ‘That’s the one!’
Betty dismantled Hannah’s hair and brushed it out to begin anew. ‘According to Sam, this St George character is best friends with Alfred Cavendale.’
Hannah caught Betty’s gaze in the mirror. ‘And who is this Sam? He wouldn’t happen to be a handsome and cheeky stable boy, would he?’
Betty’s mouth fell open for a moment before she snapped it closed. ‘He, um, well, he sat next to me at dinner, you see.’ Her hands flew over Hannah’s hair. Deft fingers braided, curled, pinned and tucked the strands into a silky masterpiece. ‘He had all kinds of funny stories. Kept the whole table in stitches, miss.’
Philippa shared a glance with Hannah. ‘Just mind he doesn’t charm you out of anything you want to keep, Betty.’
Nodding her head while her hands kept busy, Betty bit her lip.
‘If you’re quite finished, dear, we must head to dinner. You did a wonderful job with Hannah’s hair. Elegant.’
Betty’s cheeks flushed, and she carefully placed the last pin. ‘You look ever so lovely, Miss Simmons.’ She dropped a quick curtsey.
‘Thank you, Betty.’ Hannah smiled. ‘Do keep your ears open for any word amongst the servants about a lady’s maid who would have been employed here a few weeks back. Sarah Bright. Don’t make it obvious, but if you find anything out, please let us know immediately.’
Betty nodded. ‘Of course, miss.’
‘Right, shall we make our entrance?’ Hannah ignored thesudden flush of heat at the thought of seeing Killian. She rose from the chair and waited for Philippa to precede her.
Philippa opened the door leading the way down the stairs to the drawing room, where the party was gathered for drinks before dinner.
Hannah noticed Lord Killian immediately. He stood next to the fire, sipping what she guessed was whiskey. His sharp gaze caught hers the moment she walked into the room. The left corner of his mouth curled in the hint of a smile.
