Page 12 of Impassioned
“I can’t thank you enough, my lord.” She dipped a curtsey, her bonneted head bobbing as she looked toward the ground.
“It is my pleasure to help whomever I can,” Lucien said smoothly. “Now, let us be on our way.” He led Sabrina toward the square, and Charity followed behind them.
“Does Aldington know you did that?” Sabrina asked. “I can’t imagine he has anything to do with the hiring of servants or that he’s even aware when his household needs a new upstairs maid.”
“He does not. As with most men of his station, he leaves that sort of thing to their butlers. I have a network of people who contribute to my cause.”
“Haddock is part of that network?” she asked in surprise.
Lucien winked at her. “Don’t tell anyone.”
She tipped her head to the side and peered up at him. “What is your cause?”
“Helping people with whatever they require. Everyone deserves to have comfort and security and even to have their dreams come true.”
“Is that what you do?” Sabrina found herself smiling. She couldn’t imagine two brothers who were more different. “Fulfill people’s dreams?”
“I don’t know that I achieve that, but I do help where I can. Just as I’m going to help you.” They reached the other side of the square and started along Charles Street. At the second house, he stopped and pivoted. “Here we are.”
They continued up to the door where a rather young, and frankly attractive, man opened the door. Was he the butler?
“Good morning, Foster,” Lucien said cheerily. “We’re here to speak with Mrs. Renshaw.”
Foster opened the door wide. “Come in, my lord. I’ll take you up to the drawing room and fetch Mrs. Renshaw.”
The house was similar to Lucien’s in that it was a small terrace, but it had a distinctly feminine air with the paintings of flowers adorning the walls. They followed the butler into the stair hall and up to the first floor. Situated at the front of the house, the drawing room was most definitely decorated by a woman, with peach and ivory floral wallpaper and an array of furnishings in those colors in addition to russet and a pretty blue that was just a shade darker than Wedgwood. Sabrina had never been in a more stunningly appointed drawing room, and she knew immediately that she would wear whatever Mrs. Renshaw recommended.
A few moments later, their hostess swept into the drawing room. “What a lovely surprise!” Her gaze immediately landed on Charity, who smiled broadly at Mrs. Renshaw’s warm welcome. “Charity, your sister would love to see you. If you go back downstairs, Foster will direct you to the kitchen. That is where you’ll find Delilah presently.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Charity curtsied, then looked to Sabrina who nodded.
She’d no sooner left the room than Mrs. Renshaw approached Sabrina. “You must be Lady Aldington.”
Sabrina clasped her hands, nervous as usual when meeting someone. “I am.”
Lucien stepped closer as if he sensed her discomfort. “She’s here to make your acquaintance and obtain some assistance that you are perfectly suited to provide.” He gave Sabrina an encouraging smile which helped ease her trepidation.
Mrs. Renshaw possessed the most intriguing eyes Sabrina had ever seen. The color of lapis lazuli, they were rounded but turned up on the outside corner, almost like a cat. With her sculpted cheekbones and plump lips, she was a model of beauty Sabrina could never achieve with her too-pale skin and too-sharp chin. Her mother had always said her coppery blonde hair was her best feature, but Sabrina found herself envying the rich russet hues of Mrs. Renshaw’s. Perhaps because there seemed to be some gold and red intertwined with the dark locks, as if she’d been kissed by the sun—which carried over to her skin, for it held far more color and vibrancy than Sabrina’s.
One of Mrs. Renshaw’s dark brows arched as she glanced toward Lucien, making her eyes look even more captivating. “Indeed? I am eager to help however I may. Shall we sit?” She flashed a smile at Sabrina as she indicated a seating area with a settee and two chairs near the windows that overlooked Charles Street below.
Sabrina had to blink and stop focusing on Mrs. Renshaw’s attractiveness. Comparing herself to other women was a bad habit she would blame on her mother, for she had constantly done that during Sabrina’s one and only Season two years ago.
“I’m not going to stay. You don’t need my intrusion,” Lucien said with a smile. He directed his dark gaze at Sabrina. “Tell her exactly what you require and don’t withhold a thing. Evie will know exactly what to do.” He winked toward Mrs. Renshaw.
Mrs. Renshaw’s lips curved up. “I can already tell this is going to be a delightful association.”
After bowing to them, Lucien took his leave. Sabrina went to the settee and managed to sit despite the anxiety teeming through her. It had been difficult enough to find the courage to seek out her brother-in-law, and now she had to do it all over again with a complete stranger. A beautiful stranger, who was gazing at her with kindness and compassion.
Suddenly it was all too much.
Sabrina’s throat constricted and tears welled.
Mrs. Renshaw had sat in a chair opposite Sabrina, but now she leapt up and joined Sabrina on the settee. Putting her arm around Sabrina’s shoulders, she gave her a squeeze. “Cry, scream, rail, do whatever you must,” she said softly but with an edge of steely determination that was perhaps more soothing than anything else she was doing.
“I don’t really want to do any of those things,” Sabrina managed as she wiped at her eyes and drew in a deep breath. Horror rose in her chest. How had she exposed herself so easily—and readily—to a complete stranger?
Mrs. Renshaw patted her back. “There’s no shame, and whatever you say or do here will be kept completely confidential. How can I help?”
