Page 2 of A Lady's Christmas
“I see. You must have shown a gift for numbers for the fifth duke to have trusted you with such a task.” Jane draws a deep breath and stands. Tall and slender, there is nothing delicate about Lady Jane Everton. Her brown eyes are kind and her jaw is strong. As she looks out the front window, there’s the slightest rise of her eyebrows, but she gives away none of what’s going on in her mind.
Gwen’s heart sinks. She’s being put out and will have no choice but to go back to Treadmore and be lorded over by Theo and whoever he hires to chaperone her. Standing, she bites her lip to keep any emotions from showing.
After pulling the cord near the hearth, Jane takes a book from her desk drawer and holds it out toward Gwen. “This isThe Everton Lady’s Companion. I suggest you study our rules and ideals.”
The door opens and a servant enters. She’s a large woman with graying brown hair, light-blue eyes, and a kind expression. “My lady?’
“Ah, Mrs. Grimsby. Will you make up a room for Miss Carter? She’ll be starting as an Everton Lady, and I imagine she’s in need of some rest before dinner. Will you inform Lady Chervil that we have a new Everton Lady who will require a chaperone in the near future?” Lady Jane folds her hands in front of her waist. “Has Lord Rupert returned from court yet?”
Mrs. Grimsby smiles. “I’ll have the blue room ready in a blink. It has a lovely view of the garden. His lordship arrived five minutes ago and has gone up to change.”
“Thank you.” Jane’s cheeks turn slightly pink, which seems out of place, but lovely at the same time.
Not sure what to do, Gwen stares for several moments at the book in her hand. “You’re accepting me?”
“Of course,” Jane says with a hint of a smile. “You’re perfectly suited to the work. I have several clients who will benefit from your assistance with their accounts and general household organization.” She brushes out her skirt and checks her reflection in the glass over the fireplace. There’s a serenity about Lady Jane Everton that is admirable.
“Thank you.” Gwen turns to follow the housekeeper out of the office.
“Miss Carter?” Jane asks. “May I ask why the former duke didn’t bring you out and find you a husband?”
Heart pounding, Gwen should be used to this question, but she never has liked talking about it. “I think he considered me a child even after I’d grown, and in the last few years, his mind wasn’t what it aught be.”
Frowning, Jane says, “Perhaps he needed a woman’s advice on the subject.” She shakes off whatever she’d been thinking, and her expression returns to serenity. “You are still young and if you wished to marry, I believe there are many suitable men who would court you.”
“I’m not interested in being courted.” It comes out too harsh. Gwen adds, “I don’t think I’m suited for marriage, my lady.”
“Many ladies say that until they meet the man who they can love.” If she was going to say more, the door opening stopped her.
A tall man with dark hair and a thin beard that runs along his jaw and merges with a well-waxed mustache enters. His blue eyes survey the room before he grins and bows. “Good afternoon.”
Jane smiles and her eyes light up. “Miss Carter, this is my husband, Lord Rupert.”
Amazed at the obvious affection the two convey in just a brief glance at each other, Gwen is slightly embarrassed. She curtsies. “How do you do, my lord?”
“Miss Carter. Will you be joining our home?” Rupert asks as he shakes her hand.
“Yes, sir.”
“Splendid.” His grin is contagious.
Jane says, “Mrs. Grimsby was just about to show Miss Carter to her room so that she can have a rest before dinner.”
“Of course. Don’t let me keep you.” He moves aside so that Gwen can pass and follow the housekeeper out.
In the foyer, Mrs. Grimsby takes Gwen's arm and leads her up the tall staircase. “You’ll do just fine here, miss. If you’re kind and you work hard, the Evertons will take good care of you.”
“That sounds easy enough.” Gwen clutchesThe Everton Companionto her side as they step into a bedroom with wooden wainscoting and blue wallpaper composed of vertical lines in a slightly darker shade. “I thought they would turn me away.” She turns to give the room her full attention.
The bed is larger than the one she had at home and the pale-blue bedding has a hint of lace at the edges. Dark-blue curtains hang at four posts and match those pulled back at the large window. The fireplace is dark, but an overstuffed chair is placed in a cozy spot nearby. At the window stands a lady’s desk and chair with a light-blue bud vase on the corner. “This is lovely.”
“I’m pleased you think so.” Mrs. Grimsby examines the room. “I’ll have one of the girls come up and make you a nice fire and we’ll get you some paper, pen, and ink in case you have need. Is there anything else I can do for you, Miss Carter?”
“You are too kind. I think I’ll be fine. What time is dinner?” Gwen takes off her pelisse and looks out the window, which faces a garden. It’s grown colder and the flowers are no longer in bloom, but several trees have red and golden leaves. It’s lovely.
“Dinner is at seven and the Evertons are very keen on promptness.”
“I’ll be on time.” As soon as she’s alone, Gwen flops on the bed. “I did it.”
