Page 2 of A Lady to Reveal (Sherton Sisters 4)

“Was it truly as dreadful as all that?” Graciela asked.

“Worse,” Felicity declared with a grin. “I do think you might have enjoyed it, though. I don’t know what they were thinking to send me. You wouldn’t have minded the talk of fashions and such. You probably would have made friends and had a fine time.”

Gracie smiled. “I was perfectly content to remain here.”

Felicity sighed heavily. “The problem is that I’m not content to remain here. What am I to do, Grace? I’m such a contrarian. I don’t truly wish to remain ensconced here at home, but I don’t want what Mother expects of me, either. I wish it wouldn’t create a scandal for me to join a university or become a scientist.”

“What would you study if you were to become a scientist? I’ve never seen you do a single experiment. Surely, Father would allow you to set up a small laboratory of some sort. I cannot see how it would be so very scandalous. No one even needs to know.”

Felicity laughed and then sighed again. “I don’t actually even know what to study. I’m just so restless that I cannot settle on any one thing. I want to know everything, Grace, which I know is impossible. But I am completely frustrated with Mother’s expectations.”

Gracie stared at her for several moments before narrowing her eyes at her sister. “You have some sort of scheme that you’re thinking about, but you know it’s outrageous, so you are afraid to truly entertain it. That is why you are frustrated. Mother’s expectations haven’t changed since we were in the cradle. It is you who has changed. So, tell me about it, and we’ll see what we can do.”

“You don’t understand, Grace. The idea that I have carries a very real possibility of scandal. I don’t care so much for myself, but it could ruin any chances you might have.”

“Do I look terribly concerned about my chances? I might actually embrace the possibility of your scandal forcing me to stay home.”

Felicity laughed. “I suppose you just might,” she conceded. Looking toward the door to confirm it was closed, Felicity edged her chair closer to her sister’s. “The Duke of Rathnelly is seeking a companion for his daughter.”

Graciela blinked, obviously not expecting that to have come out of her sister’s mouth. “And then what?”

“I would like to fill that position.”

Felicity could feel her sister’s stare while she thought over the bold pronouncement.

“Companion for Rathnelly’s daughter? That is a rather strange position. Are there no relatives to keep her company? How do you know about it? Is she sickly? You have never had the most patience for the sickroom. And finally, in my litany of questions,” she added with a smile, “how do you think you could gain such a position?”

“Well, I’m well enough educated to fill it, and surely qualified. Well, perhaps not Lady Felicity Sherton, but I could if I were Miss Felicity Jones. As to how I know about it, I had a letter from Lady Pembroke. She mentioned in passing that His Grace had asked her if she might know of anyone.”

Felicity again waited while her sister pondered her words. “You’ve thought of a plan, haven’t you? But you’re afraid it might not work. And that has you chafing under Mother’s expectations. And why you didn’t enjoy visiting Vigilia nearly as much as I thought you would.”

Felicity grinned at her sister. Despite their very different temperaments, they were remarkably attuned to one another.

“If I tell enough falsehoods, I could probably pull it off.”

“You’d have to tell a great many falsehoods, to be sure. How could you explain your absence? And how could you correspond with the duke? Is it likely he will engage you without an interview? And didn’t you meet Rathnelly at Vicky’s wedding? Surely he would recognize you if you were to show up on his doorstep?”

“Did I meet him? I cannot say that he really stuck in my memory as I was highly uncomfortable on that occasion.” Felicity’s cheeks heated as she admitted, “I have already written to the duke, expressing my interest in the position and explaining my credentials. If everyone thinks I’m somewhere else, no one will miss me. It’s too bad I was just at Vicky’s house. I cannot claim to be there. But I can tell Mother I’m going to help Rosabel with her children. I would actually like to do that anyway, so that should be believable and would be an acceptable way to avoid any more talk of making my debut for at least a little while longer. I might not actually have to tell anyone else anything, as long as I have help in keeping up appearances. I will have to write from time to time. Since Rosabel is such a terrible correspondent, Mother might never realize I’m not there. If she were to start to suspect, I will claim to have gone elsewhere. I had thought it might be best to tell Bel I’m with Hilaria and tell Hilaria I’m with someone else. What do you think? I’m not sure which is more complicated. If everyone thinks something else, that might be harder to notice that I’m not where I’m supposed to be. But there will be more stories I’ll have to keep track of.”

“I’m certain you would be very able to keep track of whatever tales you come up with.” Gracie tapped her chin, deep in thought. “I think you ought to tell as many tales as possible to muddy up the waters. I couldn’t do it, but I am certain you could. I will help however you think is fitting, but you will have to tell me what to do.”

Felicity stared at her sister. “Are you certain, Grace? A part of me wants to selfishly accept your offer outright, but I need you to be absolutely certain. If I get found out, there is a real possibility of a scandal, besides the trouble you’ll be in with the countess if your involvement were to be found out.”

“If you can convince Rathnelly to give you the position, I have no doubt you can manage all the rest. While I will miss you terribly, I look forward to reading about your adventures in your frequent letters.”

Felicity threw her arms around her sister. “You are the very best, Grace. Thank you so very much. I know you can understand a little bit why I can’t just fall in with Mother’s plans for me. But I just can’t convince any of them to let me do something more interesting and useful with my life than just producing some nobleman’s next heir. I have every confidence that if I can make a success of this plan I will finally feel content with my lot in life.”

“I know, Felicity. And I think, even if you can’t manage this, you’ll feel better if you have at least tried.”

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