Page 72 of Dancing with an Enigmatic Duke
“I would never hear of subjecting Caeley to a journey here just for a party. I sent her a letter beforehand, so she would be the first to know.” Emmeline shrugged as she dusted her hands off yet again. It was a hopeless gesture as the grime seemed to be part of her now. “Truthfully, some of the relatives I had to invite are only so in name. I barely recall them. But tradition says they should be invited.”
Jasmine twisted her hair up and slipped the pins into it. “My hair is giving me fits today.”
“It is all this bending,” Emmeline grumbled.
Cook called from the kitchen, “You two sound like a pair of clucking hens fussing at your corn. Come get your tea!”
Emmeline needed no further invitation. They were swiftly back into the kitchen. “Wash up then,” Cook said indulgently as she waved them over to the big sink that housed a bowl of water.
They washed quickly, even as they played and pushed. Cook shook her head at the antics. “You act like children. I thought you were tired.”
“The smell of your biscuits has given us energy,” Emmeline explained, taking an eager seat at the kitchen table where the staff ate.
Cook placed a tray of tea and biscuits in front of them. “Now do behave yourselves and set a good example for the other young ladies.”
“It is so odd to remind myself that others look to me,” Jasmine said in conspiracy.
Emmeline grinned broadly as she nabbed herself a biscuit. “I know that feeling. I never felt like I was someone who had to be above reproach at home. So, when my mother would tell me to set an example, I really had no idea how I was supposed to do that.”
Jasmine sighed as she picked up the teapot. She poured herself and Emmeline a cup of tea as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. “I got called Miss today, and I found it so foreign that I honestly did not even think they were speaking to me.”
“Well, it is customary for your position,” Emmeline ventured.
With a snort, Jasmine agreed, “Sure, but I never used to be called that when Miss Durant was here.”
“I think a lot of things will change. People see you differently now that you are stood all by your lonesome as my lady’s maid.” Emmeline put some sugar into her tea as she nibbled her biscuit with its nutty warm flavour. “Besides, you deserve it. You took charge of cleaning up today rather well. I think you might even be suited to the role of housekeeper.”
Jasmine scoffed as she picked up her teacup. “I wouldn’t go so far as that.”
“Where do you see yourself in the future?” Emmeline was genuinely curious. As helpful as Jasmine had been to her over her months in London, she had not heard the woman express any true desire of her own.
As if she needed a moment to think, Jasmine took a long sip of her tea. When she lowered the cup, she said softly, “I honestly have kept myself from thinking too far ahead. My mother said that ambition can spoil a person, and seeing how it turned Miss Durant into such a beast, I dare say I want nothing.”
“It is a wonder to have a dream, Jasmine. I think everyone is owed at least one good dream in a lifetime.” Emmeline rocked back in the wooden chair and stretched her sore legs. “So, tell me a dream.”
“To be straightforward, Miss, I never even dreamed that I would be a lady’s maid. It is quite a thing for a maid such as me to attain a position as this. I am quite content where I am.”
It was a fair answer. The position of lady’s maid was generally sought after, ranked only by the housekeeper within the female staff. Emmeline inclined her head in acknowledgement of the girl’s words.
Jasmine tapped her teacup as if in thought. “Were you serious about your inclination to have me stay on as your lady’s maid?”
“Certainly,” Emmeline said plainly. “I would not have mentioned it otherwise. Despite what my brother might think, I do not generally do things willy-nilly.”
Jasmine giggled. “I think that His Lordship views anything as reckless. Do you think he will take a bride now that you are well on your way to the altar?”
“Oh, that’s a scandalous question,” Cook scolded.
Emmeline laughed and ignored the cook’s scolding words to show Jasmine she should too. “I think if my brother does not find a lady then I shall be forced to aid him.”
Chapter 13
The engagement party for his family was as swollen and over the top an affair as he had expected it to be. Lady Callum seemed befuddled by the sheer number of people that Nash’s family knew. He was grateful that the guest list had some crossover with the people with whom Lady Callum was acquainted.
He noted she seemed quite content to stay on his arm, not that he minded one bit. Nash rather enjoyed having her by his side. “There is Lord Hawley,” he whispered as they left one group of well wishers and headed toward another.
“I do hope that he will overcome his fear of Dowager Randall enough to see that Lady Anderson is worth the trouble.” Lady Cal…Emmeline, Nash corrected himself mentally, shook her head with a sigh. He found it odd to think the name let alone use it, even if he had been given permission to do so.
Nash shrugged and felt her tense, as though she thought he were trying to escape. He chuckled and put his hand on top of her arm. “Relax, these people are friends, not something to be feared.”
