Page 6 of The Viscount's Daring Cinderella
“She already costs me quite enough, and I will not add new clothes to the list of expenses. You are quite fortunate that we felt pity and took you in, or where would you be now?” Lady Ellsworth asked, and not for the first time.
Beryl did not have an answer to Lady Ellsworth’s question, and she did not want to think of it. Everything had happened so fast that she barely had enough time to grieve for her father, let alone think about her future. She tried to remain generous and humble. Beryl knew that she could not change their feelingstoward her, so the only thing that she could do was protect herself from their miserliness and snide remarks. She did not argue, and she tried to remain inconspicuous.
“I am most grateful for what you have done for me, Lady Ellsworth,” Beryl said.
“Hmm,” was all the response that Beryl got.
She cast her gaze down and took a sip of her tea. If there was one thing she could say about her cousins, they were not hypocrites. They were as nasty behind her back as they were to her face. Grace’s envy caused her to treat Beryl as if she was dull-witted, but nothing could be further from the truth. Her father had retained the services of a governess, and Beryl was well educated. She enjoyed reading, and she read quite widely. Neither Grace nor Estelle was interested in reading, but Beryl read every day and especially enjoyed it before she went to bed. Beryl was jolted from her thoughts when Lady Ellsworth spoke.
“Grace will debut this season in London. Her gowns have already been ordered, and Madame Lena will arrive shortly to ensure they all fit perfectly. Estelle will be with us in London but will not attend the events. You will have your own season all too soon, Estelle.”
“I do look forward to it, Mama,” Estelle said with a wide smile.
“You will be coming with us, Beryl,” Lady Ellsworth said in a matter-of-fact voice.
Beryl’s gaze flashed up from her plate. “Me, to London?”
“Yes. You will act as a chaperone to Grace,” Lady Ellsworth announced.
Grace cast Beryl a withering glance. Beryl did not know why because she was just as surprised by the news.
Grace’s brows were furrowed when she turned her gaze to her mother. “Are you sure about this, Mama? Why can you not be my chaperone?”
“If I am to chaperone you, then I will not be able to enjoy the season. I am sure Beryl is quite capable of carrying out this task. She can show her gratitude for my generosity,” Lady Ellsworth said pointedly.
Beryl wondered if there would ever be a day that they did not remind her of how she came to be at Chalfont House.
“Now, Beryl, you are a young lady in society, so I need not explain the importance of being a chaperone. This will be your primary duty while we are in London. Be warned. You are not attending the engagements for your own merriment. Grace is the priority. You are far too old and you have no dowry. Being old and penniless is not attractive. Do you understand?” Lady Ellsworth stared at Beryl and spoke to her as if she was a child.
“I do,” Beryl confirmed as she summoned a small smile.
She was not particularly keen to go to London. Riding in town was not quite the same as in the countryside, and she would miss the lake. Yet, instantly, she recognized the possibility. Her heart started to pound, and she clenched her hands into fists in her lap.
All her life, she had intended to have a family and be the lady of her own house. Life had other plans. Now, this opportunity had presented itself quite unexpectedly. It may be her only chance to secure a respectable match, even though she had no dowry. Her prospects were diminished, but she would not give up. She wanted this, and she would give it her best efforts. Beryl felt a spark of optimism she had not felt in a long time.
They had all finished breakfast when the butler announced that Madame Lena had arrived. Grace and Estelle were so excited that they jumped from their seats, pushing back the chairs.
“Girls!” Lady Ellsworth admonished. “Madame Lena will tend to you first, Grace,” Lady Ellsworth announced as she stood.
“I would like Beryl to be there when I try on my gowns.” Grace lifted her lips into a smile that did not warm her eyes.
“Certainly,” Beryl said, although she knew it was not necessary for her to be there. Ever since arriving at Chalfont House, her time was not hers. There would be no point in saying she did not wish to do it.
Beryl stood and followed her cousins from the drawing room. She saw the staff taking several trunks upstairs. Beryl knew that her cousin could afford for her to have a new gown or two. Beryl was certain that if it were Grace or Estelle in her position, she would not have treated them so. She ascended the stairs and followed Grace to her room, where two trunks were already open.
A woman, who Beryl assumed to be Madame Lena, took one of the gowns and placed it on the bed.
“Madame Lena, I am so happy you are finally here,” Grace greeted her.
Grace spun around and commanded Beryl, “Help me to undress.”
The wordpleasehad gone amiss.
“Certainly.”
Beryl comforted herself.This will not be forever. Not if she had anything to say about it. Beryl remembered her good fortune because being Grace’s chaperone could not be more fortuitous. It was the perfect time for her to set her plan in motion. When Grace turned her back toward Beryl, she loosened her dress. The gown that Madame Lena laid on the bed was a beautiful pale-yellow silk.
“This gown will be perfect for you, my lady,” Madame Lena said, and she helped Grace to dress.
