Page 67 of Kiss Me Lady One More Time
“Safe?”
“It’s the same risk. The same danger! How could I let such a specter of uncertainty hang over us? What if my climb takes years? How long before you would begin to feel disappointed? Would you begin to resent me? Would I have set myself—and you—up for repeating the same cycle of failure, fury and despair?”
She drew back, horror on her face. “Is that what you think of me? Barrett Sterne, I am not your mother!”
The words struck him like a blow to the chest. He held up against the force of it, only just.
“Miss? Miss Munroe?”
The hiss came from beyond the shrubbery.
They stared at each other.
“Miss Munroe? The countess is asking for you!”
She shook her head. “I have to go.” With one last hurt and withering glance, she whirled and darted away.
Chapter 16
“Are you well?” Hope turned away from her mirror and stood, staring.
Penelope nodded. “Yes. Sorry for the delay. I was in the garden.”
“Are you sure? The countess watched her closely. “What is it, Penelope?”
She put her hands over her flushed cheeks. She didn’t want to tell. If she spoke of it, she would break down. Tears threatened just thinking of it, so she pushed it all away. Down. She would pull it out and fall apart later, after everything was done. “I dashed back, that’s all. Areyouall right? The maid said you needed me.”
“Oh, yes. If you’re sure.” Hope still frowned, but she sank back into her chair. “Yes. I was hoping you could help Lizzie with my headpiece. We had it figured out this morning.”
“Oh, yes. Of course.” Penelope stepped close and helped the maid in securing the tricky piece. “There,” she said at last. “Now you will be the prettiest ammonite Tensford has ever seen.”
“I should hope so,” her friend said with a laugh. “But I don’t think that bar is very high. Now, you go and see to yourself.” She made shooing motions with her hands. “Lizzie can get me into the gown easily enough and I can’t wait to see you in your gorgeous outfit.”
Penelope obeyed. The maid who had been assigned to her for her stayoohedandaahedover the rich colors and beaded accessories of the peacock gown. With careful strokes and more color, she painted her eyes so they would look mysterious when she lifted her feathered mask to her face, and when she did not.
They’d just finished when a knock sounded at the door. The girl opened it to admit Mrs. Caradec, who came in cloaked and carrying a covered basket.
“May I take your wrap, ma’am? Or your basket?”
“No thank you. I won’t be but a moment.” She raised a brow in Penelope’s direction.
“You may leave us, Mary. Thank you for all of your hard work. I’ll ring if we need anything else.”
“Very good, Miss.”
The girl left and Mrs. Caradec stepped all the way around Penelope, admiring as she went. “You look divine.Madameoutdid herself. It should fit me. Though it may be a little short, no one should notice.” She looked up, smiling. “Now, where is the other?”
Penelope retrieved the second costume and bundled it into the basket. “I should write Hope a note.” She did so, leaving it on the vanity table. Standing, she nodded. “I’m ready.”
Mrs. Caradec stepped close and patted her clutched hands. “You can do this. You will be fine. Whiddon knows where to meet us?”
“He does. And I’m fine, it’s just nerves.”
“I would be nervous, if you were not.” The other woman smiled in reassurance. “Everything is ready. My people are set. All will be well.”
“Let’s go, then,” Hope said, before she lost her courage.
They went downstairs, where a footman waited with her cloak. Another stood ready at the door. Several maids peered from the parlor and she thought she recognized a kitchen girl peeking from behind the green baize door.
