The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,3
may be directed at you. I know you were raised a lady, and I have heard you even had a season in London, so I have no doubt you are capable of behaving properly, even if you have adopted unladylike habits.” Her eyes took me in with a hint of disdain. “It is the perfect plan, really. You could never draw the attention of any gentleman even if you threw yourself at his feet. In this case, you must do all you can to avoid his notice and return home with me at the end of the spring, at which time we will inform my parents that the noted gentleman simply selected a different lady from among the party.”
I shook my head, hardly aware of the small movement. My feet were rooted to the floor, my heart hammering. With a hard swallow, I found my voice. “I am employed by your parents, miss. Please understand that I cannot do something so defiant as that, even with your guidance.”
Sophia’s face colored, her nostrils flaring. “You are my maid. You must be loyal to me and obey all of my wishes.”
I took a step closer, lifting my hands in front of me in an attempt to calm her. “The consequences would be dire for both of us if the scheme was discovered. Even if it was not, you shouldn’t trust that my behavior will reflect well on your name. I—I am not a lady any longer.” I tried to keep my voice even, but it did not seem to be working to dissuade her. My courage slipped a little faster at the frustration that overtook her expression with new force.
“Our plan will not be discovered.” She leveled me with her gaze. “You are entirely capable of acting the part of a proper lady. I knew you before. I watched you. I am confident you will have no problem at all once you are dressed in something less dull and have a proper hair arrangement.”
When had it become our plan? And when had Sophia shown any confidence in me before? She was three years younger than me, and we had lived in the same neighborhood our entire lives, but I had never known her to notice anything I said or did until I became her maid. I took a deep breath. “I still don’t think it’s wise, miss.”
Her eyes flashed. I had spoken too frankly. I bit my lip, wringing my hands together behind my back. “It is a clever idea, indeed, but—but it is not possible to execute without mishap.”
Sophia’s face shifted, a calmness washing over her features that only unnerved me further. “My parents trust me entirely. They will trust when I say I am staying with this matchmaking woman in Bibury, and they will trust when I say I did not attract the gentleman’s eye. They would also trust if I told them that you had spread rumors about me below stairs, or that you had stolen some of my possessions and sold them in town.” Her eyebrows lowered. “Do you value your position at Sedgwick Manor?”
My jaw hung slack for a moment, and my heart sickened with dread. “Yes.” My voice was a strangled whisper, not nearly as confident as I had wanted it to be.
“Then you will do as I say.” Sophia had never demonstrated such manipulation before. She had always been rather rude and condescending, but I had wondered if that was simply my new perspective, speaking to a lady as her maid rather than her equal, that had given me that opinion. But there was no questioning the threat that gleamed in her eyes. “I will train you over the next week to ensure you are up to the task. You will go to Bibury and fill my place until I am expected at home. I will enjoy my long-awaited visit to Hampden Park, and Mama and Papa will be none the wiser. Nor will this matchmaker, and nor will Mr. Hill.”
My face blanched—my pulse thrumming against my ears. “Mr. Hill?”
“Indeed.” Sophia scowled.
“Do you know anything about this Mr. Hill?”
“I know that if he comes recommended by this strange woman, then I have no interest in courting him. I would much rather enjoy time with Anne at Hampden Park. I have always dreamed of visiting, you know, and I refuse to let my one chance be stolen away by the ridiculous conspiring of this unknown relative of mine and my parents.”