Page 2 of A Housekeeper for the Earl of Drinkwater
“I certainly will not,” she said. “And how could you even ask such a thing, at a time like this?”
The solicitor looked very flustered at her sudden and fierce rejection. His cheeks flushed, and his eyes flashed, and he sat up, straightening his coat.
“Well,” he said, clearing his throat and setting his jaw. “It is because of thistime,as you say,that I ask you such a thing. Marriage would be a remedy to your predicament, and, I dare say, a good one at that.”
Serena stared at him, still hoping he would suddenly laugh and tell her it was all an attempt to raise her spirits. She would likely slap him if it were so, but it still seemed better than him being truly serious.
But as she studied him, good humour was not what she saw. Instead, his now narrowed eyes suddenly seemed cold, as though he were calculating something distasteful.
Clearly, she had upset him by denying him, but his eyes looked almost sinister. His gaze was so intense that she had to look away. But when she looked back, he was smiling again, though the expression looked far from sincere.
“It is something you should really consider before rejecting it so readily,” he said. The tension in his jaw was apparent as he spoke, and Serena shivered.
“I am sure that your proposal was well intended,” she said, though she was, in fact, sure the opposite was true. “However, I am hardly prepared for marriage, and I cannot fathom thinking of such a thing at this time.”
The solicitor continued to smile, but he began to blink rapidly. Serena grimaced, wholly unnerved by his expression. Could her rejection truly have made him so angry?
After another long, uncomfortable moment, he nodded.
“Of course,” he said. “Perhaps I was too bold with my proposal. Please, forgive me.”
Serena nodded, but she shivered again. Maybe it was just her bereavement, but she thought he sounded more as if he’d said,how dare you think yourself too good to accept my proposal for marriage?
“It is quite all right,” she lied, giving him a tight smile. “Is there anything else we need to discuss today?”
He studied her for another moment, and she tried not to shudder under his gaze. She had not thought it possible after he’d asked her to marry him, but the atmosphere in the room had become even more awkward. So much so that she would have done almost anything to get him out of her house.
“No, Miss Serena,” he said, causing her to shudder again. “I believe everything is in order for now. I will have paperwork for you to see in the coming weeks, and I will be in touch.”
Serena felt bile rise in her throat as he spoke his last words. She should not be so squeamish with her family’s own solicitor, but she was more uncomfortable than she had ever been in her life.
“Very good,” she said curtly. “Then our business is concluded.”
She rose from her seat to punctuate her words. It took the solicitor a moment, but he soon copied her. He reached out his hand to her, but she opted to curtsey instead. Another moment later, he bowed to her, with that same strange smile plastered on his face.
“So it is,” he said mysteriously. “Thank you for your time, Miss Serena. I expect we shall speak again soon.”
Serena blinked, wanting to ask what he meant. But he simply bowed, giving her another flesh-creeping smile.
“Evelyn,” she called, hoping the housekeeper was nearby.
Thankfully, she was, appearing in the doorway within seconds of Serena calling.
“Yes, Miss White?” she asked, eyeing the solicitor carefully.
“Mr. Tate is ready to leave,” she said. “Would you show him out?”
The housekeeper curtseyed, motioning for the man to follow her.
“Good day, Miss Serena,” he said, bowing stiffly to her. “If you need me, do not hesitate to send a word.”
With that, he at last left her drawing room. She waited until she could no longer hear his footfalls in her home. Then, she collapsed back into her chair. Had she imagined the entire uncomfortable exchange between herself and the solicitor?
When Evelyn returned, she hurried over to Serena. Only when the woman hugged her did she realise she had begun to cry.
“Are you all right, Miss White?” Evelyn asked, clearly concerned.
Serena nodded, laughing bitterly.
