Page 38 of A Maid's Fateful Courtship
She convinced herself that she had enchanted Ethan against his will, and now she needed to make sure it never happened again. He was the marquess’s oldest son and heir, and she was not fit to believe he could ever consider a woman such as herself.
Patting her hand down hard on a pile of bed sheets, she resolved to change her ways.
You have trusted me with a responsible position in your household, Lord Ellsworth, and I will uphold my side of the bargain. I pray you are never privy to my weaknesses, my lord, and I swear I will ignore my desires and let Ethan go.
She counted out the bedsheets and pillowcases. Reaching to the top shelf in the cupboard, she took down clean eiderdowns to cover the guest beds and then pulled out the heavy feather pillows to change for family members.
This was her lot, and she should be thankful for it. Those from the workhouses never lived long lives. Thanks to the marquess, she would hopefully one day retire by the sea, like Doreen.
How selfish she had been to lead Lord Ethan astray.
Yet, our kiss implied a shared love. You even spoke those very words and told me that you love me. How can I ignore that? I did not force myself upon you, my love. Yet, I am not worthy of you, and—
“The guests are moving the bags from their rooms, Missus. Shall we begin stripping the beds?” It was Nora's voice, one of her maids. Josephine heard the gaggle of upstairs housemaids as they were all arriving for duty.
“Yes, yes. You know the routine. Get about your work,” Josephine snapped. She stopped herself from saying another bitter word to them. It would not be fair if she took her frustrations out on the workforce, so she showed them a friendly smile.
“Let us change the linens and pillows on the family beds, if you please,” she instructed, passing the clean linens on to them. “And open the windows to let the sunshine in. I feel it is going to be a long, long day, so let us get to it.”
Chapter 30
Nothing was going to dampen Ethan’s mood. Lately, he had been a little tired with worry, but after the tryst with Josephine he would have slept like a baby. Taking his seat at the breakfast set out on the garden terrace, he did not even mind sitting next to Lady Matilda. So good was his mood that he cared little about anything, other than when he would next be able to see Josephine alone.
“You look to be in a jolly good mood this fine day,” Anthony called over to him. “Pass me the bowl of bread, would you?”
“Do I?” Ethan said, passing the food across the table. But his brother was quite right, he was in a jolly mood. “I suppose it must be eating outside in the glorious sunshine.”
“I do not see why that should cause you any cheer. We ate outside most of the time abroad,” Cedric said, dampening the mood around the table. “Eating al fresco is much better in Europe, no bothersome British chills there.”
“You are quite right, Lord Ethan,” Lady Matilda agreed with Ethan because she was keen to impress him.
"I am pleased that you think so," he responded to her out of politeness.
"Your feelings of cheerfulness are very encouraging, Lord Ethan,” she continued to praise him. “I may take my painting palette into the garden this afternoon. I like to dabble with watercolours.”
“That is a fine and respectable pastime to enjoy in the sunshine,” Ethan answered, though he had no interest in painting himself.
His mind did not linger for too long on the conversation around him. Ethan was soon distracted with thoughts of his previous evening spent with Josephine. He had declared his love for her, and they had shared a very special kiss. She had felt so perfect in his arms, and he was ready to announce their love to the world.
Although he could vaguely hear his family chattering with the houseguests, he had no interest in what they had to say. Why should he? They would only be discussing tedious gossip and small talk, he had better things to think about.
How was he to go about proclaiming his love for his childhood sweetheart? That was the present problem. It would have to be done sensitively. No doubt that for some it would be a shock and even a disappointment. For his family members though, surely, they would understand how their relationship had blossomed.
“Is that not so, Ethan?” his father’s voice boomed in his ear.
“What’s that?” he asked, annoyed at the interruption of his secretive thoughts.
“Father was explaining that you are to take a wife in the near future,” Anthony relayed their father's words.
“Yes. That sounds like a good idea. Yes, I will be taking a wife, without any doubt,” Ethan said, showing everyone a genuine smile as he thought of Josephine by his side in the church. “Father, I would like to speak with you in the library if I may, later this afternoon?”
“Aha!" Cedric chuckled.
"You know, I recall that as a boy you would ask me to meet you in the library whenever you wanted to discuss a serious matter,” his father revealed, nodding to himself.
“You never wanted to meet me in my study because you said the smell of the books in the library comforted you.”
Light laughter rang out around the table, but Ethan did not care that it was at his expense.
