Page 52 of A Lord's Bet of Desire

Diana thought about it long and hard. “Become his mistress.”

“Diana!” Laura threw her cloth, and it hit Diana on the shoulder.

“Why not?”

“You have a terrible mind.” Laura coyly tilted up her nose. “I never think such thoughts.”

“Oh, my dearest friend. If your feelings for Edward Pembroke are as amorous as I think they are, you’ve certainly had those thoughts!”

The two girls couldn’t help breaking into the most refreshing laughter. And although the exchange was humorous, Laura had to admit to herself that her feelings for Edward did not merely come from the mind. They were sensory. When one truly had affection for another, there was the desire for touch. Smell. Even taste. The very thought of these natural desires brought a flush to Laura’s cheeks. Yes, she wanted all of that with Edward, even though those desires were entirely unrealistic.

There was the crash of thunder, and Laura and Diana walked over to the window. “Poor Frederick,” Laura said.

“If you ask me, I think he enjoys doing his job in the rain.”

They both watched as Frederick continued to trim a hedge as the downpour washed him clean. “Why do you say that?”

“He’s the kind of man that thrives when he’s soggy.”

“You say the most amusing and ridiculous things, Diana.”

“How else are we to entertain ourselves?”

Both girls stood dreamily in front of the window, one tilting her head to the right and the other tilting her head to the left. Laura felt calm breathing in her chest. It seemed like an eternity since that morning when she strolled with Edward. Would there be more mornings like that? Deep down, she wished that every morning would be like that. Perhaps Edward would promote her from lowly maid to head Shakespeare reciter. That would be a dream.

Diana said, “We must get back to work.”

Laura let out a cough. “Ermengarde was not jesting when she said that this piano hasn’t been touched in years.”

“Do you really think the tuning is for Anna Rutley?” Diana asked.

“I wouldn’t be in the least surprised. She’s the kind of lady that gets what she wants rather quickly.”

Diana’s voice was sing-songy. “Must be charming.”

“I don’t think so.” Laura knit her brow. “I’m not sure that that kind of privilege leads to happiness.”

“Would you call yourself happy then?”

Laura had to think about it. “Well … yes, I think I am happy. I have everything that I need. A job to do. Hobbies that I love. Nothing is missing, it seems.”

“Sometimes, I wish I had your views. At night, I dream of diamonds dripping down my throat.” Diana brought a hand to her throat.

“Well, now that you mention it, that would be rather nice.”

Ermengarde returned to the room. “What progress have you made?”

Laura said, “We’re nearly done.”

Ermengarde’s hands were akimbo on her hips. “That’s good because we need to get to work on supper. Lady Anna Rutley will be staying.”

“Ugh,” Diana said, and Laura gave her a fast elbow to the side.

As Ermengarde walked away, she muttered, “I can’t say that I disagree.”

Laura and Diana quickly finished the dusting job and proceeded to the kitchen. There was not the usual hustle and bustle, as supper would only be for two, but Stephen was commanding sovereignty over the stove. “Lamb, mint jelly, new potatoes, asparagus, and lentils for the soup course.”

Laura smiled. She and the chef had developed the habit that once she entered the kitchen, he recited for her what the menu was to be. Laura enjoyed hearing all the dishes spoken aloud, and what’s more, she enjoyed smelling them and tasting them once the time was right. She was almost certain that the lamb would exclusively be served for the master and Anna. But Laura didn’t mind supping on potatoes and garden-fresh vegetables. The lentil soup sounded particularly appealing.

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