Page 8 of A Lady's Past
With a clap, Honoria stood. “Yet. You have none yet. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.”
Unable to help herself, Diana laughed. “Are you always so optimistic?”
“I’m not a fool. I know that bad things happen, and I have seen some terrible things happen to good people. I’ve also seen some remarkable recoveries. I am constantly amazed by the adaptability of the human spirit.” She gave her head a shake. “I am generally of good spirit.”
Wanting a friend and deserving one were at war within Diana. She couldn’t risk anyone’s safety for the sake of her own comfort. Diana stood and folded her arms across her chest. “Lady Honoria, while I appreciate your goodwill, I’m in need of nothing. I shall not stay here long enough to retain friendships and my life is too complicated in any event. Please forgive my rudeness, but would you be kind enough to leave me in peace?”
Honoria’s eyes widened for a moment before her expression settled back into a state of well-being. “I understand.” She rose and floated to the door.
The knot in Diana’s stomach tightened to the point of pain, but she didn’t waver. This kind lady didn’t deserve the consequences of being close to her.
With the door open, Honoria stood at the threshold. “You are wrong about one thing, Diana.”
Another pang of guilt. “What is that?”
“You have already been here long enough to have acquired a friend. Two, if Lady Jane’s descriptions of you are to be taken into account. You would do well to trust in Everton’s. No matter what type of trouble you have, this house will keep you safe and make the journey with you.”
Diana’s resolve cracked. “What if it is this house’s safety I am concerned with?”
Honoria stepped back inside, closed the door, and frowned. Studying Diana, she leaned against the door. “Are your problems of that dangerous a nature?”
She’d said too much, but the temptation of friendship was too good. She’d trusted Mother and Father and now they were both gone. Since then, her life had been reduced to bartering for what she needed. “Perhaps—or maybe I left it all in the past. I can’t really be sure. I’m not willing to take the risk.”
“Lady Jane and Lord Rupert have a great many friends. Not to mention that several of our Everton ladies have moved on to marry influential men. I think you might consider staying on.” Her expression softened in contentment, or whatever Honoria thought about when she looked content. She held up one finger. “I’ll just see to those toiletries.” And she was gone, the door closing behind her.
It occurred to Diana that everyone at Everton House might be insane. Why else would they want to help a stranger who would only bring disaster down on them?
* * *
On her fifth day at the Everton Domestic Society, Diana walked the gardens. With the proper outerwear and boots on, the crisp air felt good. Continuing along the path winding through the garden, she admired the garden’s detail. The trail meandered past the hothouse, potting shed, a large round fountain that was empty for the winter, and several benches. She wished for warm weather so she could smell the roses. It had been so long since she’d been able to breathe in their sweet scent.
The comforts of the Society already lured her in, and it was dangerous for her and for them. She had met several of the ladies and found them all kind and quick witted. It was a remarkable gathering of young women who worked as Everton ladies and older women who were called dowagers. Their role was to maintain propriety when the ladies took longer assignments. It was fascinating. Lady Chervil was one of the dowagers. As good as her word, Honoria had returned with an assortment of combs, creams, soaps, ribbons and lace. No matter what Diana said to refuse, it was useless.
From the bench with the best view of the rose garden, she saw only brown, thorny shrubs, but she didn’t want to look at the forced flowers in the hothouse. She’d had enough of manipulation for a lifetime. Closing her eyes, she imagined what the garden must be like in summer.
If only Jacques was here to sit with her, it would be perfect. A dangerous notion, and she tried to squash it. Yet his warm scent and strong arms persisted in their invasion of her thoughts. Stupid, since she would never see him again. He was handsome and wealthy with friends in high places. He had no use for a woman of no worth who was followed by trouble. Jacques Laurent wouldn’t give her a second thought, and she should forget him as well.
Light footsteps sounded on the stone path. “Am I disturbing you?” Lady Jane’s hands were folded inside her dark blue cloak. As usually seemed the case, her eyes were kind while her mouth was drawn in a serious line.
“Not at all, my lady.” Diana stood.
With a brief smile, Jane nodded toward the bench and they both sat. “If you are interested, I have a potential assignment for you.”
“For me?” It was always best to hide her emotions, but shock and excitement pushed forward before she could rein herself in.
Jane took a deep breath and sat impossibly straighter. “I’m reasonably sure you would be safely out of harm’s way. I will, of course, send both a dowager and a footman with you, just in case.”
“Won’t the client think it odd that I have an entourage?”
A genuine smile lit up Jane’s face. “To be honest, this particular client might not even notice. I will, however, inform his staff.” She sobered. “It is something in your field of expertise and out of the public eye. Do you think you might be willing to try life as an Everton lady?”
The idea of having something useful to do was tempting. Even if it only kept her mind occupied with anything but her imminent capture, she would be grateful. “I will try, my lady. But if I sense the least danger to the client or his staff, I will take myself away, and you will not even receive a note. It’s better you not know where I’ve gone if French spies have discovered me.”
“Yes, I suppose that’s true. Though we will likely come looking for you.” There was that smile again, though it didn’t touch her eyes this time. “Come to my office and we shall look over the contract. Then you can decide if it interests you and when you feel well enough to begin.”
Stepping back into the world of London society was not an option, but perhaps she could hide in plain sight. It had worked before. She could pass as almost anything. She’d even managed a three-week ship voyage in which she posed as a boy, mopping decks and cleaning the privy. She could stay out of sight or become whatever she needed.
She took a deep breath and followed Jane into the house.
