Page 39 of The Paid Companion

“It makes no matter,” Ibbitts shot back. “The thing to remember is that you didn’t get a reference, and we both know that you’d be servicing gentlemen in alleys by now if I hadn’t taken you in. You’re lucky to have any post at all.”

“Please, sir. I’ve done everything you asked so far, and I give you your fee out of my quarterly wages. I can’t do this thing you want. I just can’t. It’s not right.”

Elenora had had enough. She tried the doorknob. It twisted easily in her hand. She shoved the door open with such force that it slammed against the wall and bounced a couple of times.

Startled, Ibbitts and Sally stared at her, openmouthed.

Ibbitts’s statue-perfect features transformed themselves into a mask of rage.

Rising panic bloomed in Sally’s gaze. She put her hand to her throat and made a small, frantic, squeaking sound not unlike a little bird that has fallen from its nest.

Elenora rounded on Ibbitts. “Your vile behavior is unacceptable. You will collect your things at once and leave this house immediately.”

Ibbitts recovered quickly, his fine mouth twisting into a sneer. “Who the bloody hell do you think you are to interfere in my private business like this?”

Now would probably be an excellent time to fall back on the authority that came with her fictitious role as Arthur’s fiancée, Elenora decided.

“I am the future mistress of this household,” she announced coldly. “And I will not tolerate your despicable actions.”

“Future mistress, eh?” An unholy glee leaped in Ibbitts’s eyes. But instead of launching a verbal assault, he jerked his thumb at the hapless Sally. “Get out of here, girl. Go to your bedchamber. I’ll finish with you later.”

Sally blanched. “Aye, Mr. Ibbitts, sir.”

She scurried toward the door, where Elenora stood blocking the exit.

“Beggin’ yer pardon, Miss Lodge,” she pleaded through quivering lips. “Please let me leave.”

Elenora handed her a handkerchief and stepped aside. “Go on, Sally. Dry your tears. All will be well.”

Sally gave no sign that she believed that for an instant. She seized the square of embroidered linen and used it to cover her face as she rushed out of the room.

Elenora was alone with Ibbitts.

He looked her up and down, dismissing her with a degree of disdain that would have done justice to an arrogant gentleman of the ton. “Well, now, Miss Lodge, I reckon it’s time we got something settled here. We both know that you will never be the future mistress of this household, don’t we?”

Her stomach turned over, but she kept her face impassive. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Ibbitts.”

“Just because his lordship managed to pass you off as a fine lady in front of the quality, don’t think you’ve got me fooled. You’re no more than a paid companion. You’re in this house on a temporary basis. When St. Merryn no longer needs you, you’ll be let go just like any other member of the staff whose services are no longer required.”

Elenora’s palms tingled. She had been right when she’d warned Arthur that it would be difficult to deceive the servants. Her only hope was to bluff her way through this confrontation.

“You have obviously been eavesdropping on your employer, Ibbitts,” she said evenly. “A very bad habit, indeed. And as is often the case when one listens to conversations not meant to be overheard by others, you have got the facts wrong.”

“Bah. I’ve got the facts right enough, and well you know it. St. Merryn hired you from that agency, Goodhew and Willis, didn’t he? I heard him tell Mrs. Lancaster about his scheme. He’s paying you a fee to play the role of his fiancée. Do you know what that makes you, Miss Lodge? An actress.”

“Enough, Ibbitts,” she snapped.

“We all know about actresses, don’t we?” He gave a snort of disgust. “Like as not, you’ll be warming his lordship’s bed before you’re finished with this post.”

Ibbitts had known the truth all along, she thought. That explained the thinly veiled contempt she had noticed in his attitude toward her from the moment she arrived. But judging by the way he had sent Sally out of the room just now, it was clear that he had kept the secret to himself, no doubt intending to wait until he could turn it to his advantage.

Disaster loomed, Elenora realized. Arthur would be furious once he realized that his butler was aware of his plan. He would likely conclude that his strategy to have her pose as his fiancée had to be abandoned. If he had no further use for her, she might very well find herself back at the offices of Goodhew & Willis before the day was out.

Well, there was nothing she could do but go forward. Ibbitts was a dreadful man. One way or another, he had to be banished from this house.

“You have half an hour to pack your things, Ibbitts,” she said very steadily.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Ibbitts rasped. “And you’re not going to be giving any more orders around here if you know what’s good for you. From now on you’ll dance to my tune, Miss Lodge.”

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