Page 11 of A Lady's Curves
“I beg your pardon, my lord?” She stops halfway across the stones.
I bow. “Forgive me. You should go in. I’ll be along in a few minutes. Check on Louisa. She’s danced with every twit in the room, I think.”
Eyes wide, she turns and rushes inside.
How is it possible that after thirty-five years on this planet without meeting a single person of the opposite sex who intrigues me for more than a night, I’ve stumbled upon a woman who muddles my brain? Of course, she’s not for me. No one is for me. Still, I can’t help the fantasy of being the catalyst for joy to fill Ann’s beautiful face each day.
Chapter Five
Ann
Unfortunately, the dowager countess remembered me from my youth, but it’s not the first time and likely won’t be the last. What last night proved is that Louisa is much sought after and that she is not impervious to gentlemanly charm. She liked the attention and the dancing.
Two of the gentlemen from the ball called this morning. However, I don’t think Louisa has any particular regard for either. She was polite, but I detected nothing in her behavior that indicated affection.
As we stroll the park, Mae joins us, making us a foursome. “Two suitors this morning?”
“Yes, Mother.” Louisa’s voice is monotone.
“Men of good standing?” Mae asks.
“Sir Edward Pepperton and the Earl of Stanbridge. They were both very kind to have called.” Still polite indifference with no sign of interest.
Mae sighs. “Clearly, you don’t care for either one, but they are both wealthy and well-respected gentlemen. You could do worse.”
“Yes, Mother.” Louisa waves to a group of young women.
Her mother follows her to greet them and their mothers, but looks back to give me a nod beforehand.
“I think my sister approves of the work you’ve done.” Oscar leans in as we continue down the parade route.
“Your niece is a lovely young woman and from a good family. If she wishes to marry, it shall not be an issue.” I try to slow my pace enough to walk behind as a good servant should, but Oscar won’t allow it, so I give up.
“Is that what happened in your first season, Ann? Did you not wish to marry?”
My heart feels as if someone has wrapped their fist around it. “I wanted to marry but my choice wasn’t approved by my father. The gentlemen my parents chose were not approved by me. After three years, I chose the life I have now.”
“Why didn’t you marry the man of your choice without approval if you were smitten?” He gives no hints of his feelings when he asks such personal questions. Despite his bad behavior on the one occasion, he has been a complete gentleman since.
I can’t help wondering what prompted his outburst. It’s none of my business. All I have to do is my job, and in a few months, we’ll hire a new steward. I’ll return to Everton House and never see Oscar Stafford again. “Why do you want to know about my past, my lord?” I stress the title because he used my familiar name.
His shoulders lift and fall with a deep breath. “Forgive me. I can’t seem to help myself. You have been a curiosity invading my thoughts ever since we met. There are a great many things I’d like to know about you. This seems a good place to start.”
It’s hard to breathe. What is he saying? Why should he becurious about me? Before he left the house, he stated clearly enough that I’m likely a woman of bad character. “There is little to tell. The object of my desire wouldn’t marry without my father’s approval and the dowry that went with it.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispers.
“It was a long time ago.” Yet the memory still cuts deep. I no longer hold any affection for the gentleman, but the words spoken then set my heart to aching when remembered.
“Perhaps your father was correct in not giving that particular man his blessing. If it was the standing and money that he adored more than you.” Oscar’s back is very straight, and his shoulders are pulled back. He walks with his hands behind his back, as is his habit.
With a nod, I say, “I have concurred with that in the years since. Father may have refused due to the man’s lack of title, but he saved me from a marriage where I would have been the only affectionate party.”
“Have you seen your parents since taking employment?”
“From time to time, my mother and I have tea. Father refuses to see me, so we meet elsewhere. She doesn’t approve of my working, but she says she admires my bullheadedness.” I laugh. “And now you know all there is to know about me, my lord. There is no reason for your curiosity to continue.”
He grumbles something under his breath, but I can’t quite make it out. “You undervalue your allure.”
