Page 77 of The Sound of Seduction
Position and Responsibilities
Miss Gwendolyn Folsham shall, in her capacity as Director, have the full authority to oversee…
Wendy’s eyes skimmed to the bottom of the page, and she saw that Pippa had signed her name.
“You mean… you want me as the director?” Her voice trembled slightly, the enormity of the proposition tightening her throat. “But I’m a woman! I’m just a nurse!”
Nick stepped forward, his broad form grounding her. “Yes, and you are the best,” he said softly. “But this position suits you better. It’s what you’ve been doing already in so many ways—organizing, caring for patients, handling what we can’t. Wendy,” he added, his voice full of warmth, “you are the force that drives our practice. I’ve watched you grow every step of the way, from a headstrong girl to the woman standing before me now. There’s no one better suited. Alfie, Andre, and Felix agree too.”
Pippa handed her another paper. “Here is their affidavit of support.”
But Wendy couldn’t read it; tears were forming, blurring her vision.
Wendy’s hand shook slightly as she gripped the papers, the line between disbelief and elation blurring within her. “But—” Her words faltered, her throat tightening further. “But this would mean I’d need to live there. Full-time. Wouldn’t it?”
Pippa, now smiling, gently took Wendy’s hand in her own. “You don’t have to leave us if you don’t want to. Stay as long as you like, and if you wish to spend a night there, you’ll have your own chambers. I’ve also arranged for an office to retreat to when life becomes—”
“Busy,” Nick interjected, his grin evident beneath his composed exterior. “When life becomes busy,” he corrected with a wink that made Pippa smile.
Wendy looked between them, her heart caught in her throat. The love and faith in their eyes—the belief that she could take on this role, that she was already capable—made her chest ache with overwhelming emotion. She’d never expected this, never imagined they would see her as more than the little girl thrust into their lives, the third wheel.
“I don’t know what to say,” she murmured, tears unwelcome but forming, nonetheless.
“It’s a business proposal, of course,” Nick said.
Ah, a proposal. Wendy sighed.
“A counter-offer to the life of Stan’s wife?” she mumbled.
Nick swallowed and paused before he spoke. “I realize that I reacted rashly when Stan first offered for your hand.”
He offered for me twice. Wendy’s heart swelled with pride and something deeper that filled her chest and energized her body.
“If you need time to think,” Pippa said softly, “take all the time you need. But Wendy, I’ll ask you as a personal favor… consider it.” Her eyes crinkled with mischief as she added, “Not that I’ll accept no for an answer.”
Wendy laughed quietly, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She met Nick’s warm, steady gaze and found herself nodding before she could stop. “I’ll think about it.”
“Take your time,” Nick replied, pride unmistakable in his voice. “But know this—whatever you choose, you will always have your place with us.”
Wendy launched herself at Nick, her arms encircling him so tightly that it knocked the breath from his chest, her cheek pressed against the crisp fabric of his coat. Without letting go, she reached for Pippa, pulling her into the warmth of the embrace, their shared laughter muffled as it spilled into the folds of his coat.
“You’re just not little anymore, little sis.” Wendy squeezed Nick tighter when he said those words.
And with that, the weight of the papers in her heart wasn’t quite so heavy anymore.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Stan traveled tothe ball with the Langleys. The carriage creaked to a stop in the circle drive, its wheels crunching faintly on the gravel. Stan tugged at his cuffs and shifted to allow Henry to exit first. The Earl’s silhouette paused in the lamplight spilling from Lady Ashford’s house as he turned back toward Violet.
“Are you certain about this?” Henry asked, his voice low but firm. His hand hovered protectively near Violet’s forearm, his concern evident in the sharp tension of his posture.
“I am,” Violet replied, her tone soft but unwavering. She lowered her gaze to her belly for a moment, brushing her gloved fingers across the fabric of her gown as though to reassure both herself and him. Then she looked directly at her husband, a small but determined smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “After tonight, I will yield to all your concerns and remain in confinement. But you know as well as I do—this evening is not one to miss.”
Henry hesitated, then released a slow sigh, threading her hand through his arm. “Very well.”
Stan stepped down from the carriage behind them, tugging his coat straight as he followed toward the glowing entrance. Ahead, liveried footmen opened the wide double doors, and the instant they entered, the grandeur inside caught him off guard. He’d visited Thea at Lady Ashford’s house when she’d moved in there a day ago but with the decorations of the ball, it looked even more splendid. Inside, the light from an enormous crystal chandelier spilled across the hall, casting a golden sheen overpolished marble floors. An opulent staircase curved gracefully up to the next level, its balustrade gleaming with intricate carvings. The walls, covered with silk panels and adorned with heavy gilt frames, showcased portraits of ancestors whose expressions seemed to watch the evening unfold.
Nothing new.
