Page 69 of Indecently Employed
He laughed, and Susanna felt everything was perfect. How they had managed such happiness, she could not say. She hurried upstairs, but conceded to vanity once in her room and took the time to wash up and change her dress, donning the blue and gray striped silk and readjusting her coiffure. Once she felt she looked the part of a beloved betrothed, she began gathering her meager possessions, marveling at how it hadn’t been so long since she’d packed them all up in the dark of night to flee from the Earl of Clifton’s London house.
Her whole life had opened up before her, a sunny morning following months and months of dreary, plodding afternoons. She clutched the third volume ofEast Lynneto her chest, awed by it all, by him. By how it felt to be in his warmth, to be held at the peak of his regard. A few weeks ago she would have discounted it all, not even entertaining the idea that anyone might care for her. That she might be loved.
And now, it seemed as natural as breathing. Susanna smiled to herself and placed the book in her carpet bag, then took one last look at the room before latching the bag shut.
They had left the house, and Ajax was handing her up into the carriage, when Orville Felstead came into view, walking up the lane. Her heartbeat picked up, and she wondered if this was what eloping felt like. She’d read about it so often in her novels, and it was as thrilling as the authors had made it out to be. But none of them had mentioned any of the other, more mundane things that can happen when there’s no grand ceremony toprepare for. Like how her day had largely passed much as any Tuesday in November might, with the added bother of having to mop up a spilt jug of milk. Or the time that her rescuer had passed with her in the kitchen, cleaning the floor while she tended the stove.
Orville began to jog upon sighting her, and Susanna felt compelled to ask Ajax to wait, lest she be accused of any wrongdoing as she slipped away unexpectedly, for good, in the middle of the afternoon.
Ajax agreed with a sigh. “And who is this? You didn’t mention a brother.” He squinted into the low sun, looking none the worse for wear after his stint washing the floors. In fact, he looked even more attractive than usual, his complexion warm and that lock of hair falling into his face.
“No,” she said. “It’s Mr. Felstead. The curate. My sister’s husband.”
Ajax looked as if he might like to say something cutting, but Orville had reached them by then, doubled over as he gasped for air.
“Miss Abbotts,” he managed, gulping down a breath, his face splotchy. “What is the meaning of this?” He gestured to the carriage with his hat. “Shall I fetch—”
“No need,” Ajax cut in, his voice curt. “Only that Miss Abbotts is returning home; her visit here has ended. I trust you’ll inform her parents.”
Orville stared at him, wide-eyed, then looked back at Susanna. She flushed, wondering how to intimate that she’d become besotted with her employer, had just accepted his offer of marriage, and was now absconding with him to engage in, er,relationsas soon as possible. Thankfully Ajax spoke again, with a measure of impatience that rendered his deep voice incredibly intimidating.
“Mr. Ajax Sedley. And you are?”
“Oh,” Orville swallowed, his breath still catching. “Oh, of course. Mr. Orville Felstead. So she’s returning to her employment, then.”
Ajax handed Susanna up into the carriage, then turned with one eyebrow raised. “No. She’s agreed to marry me.”
Orville nearly choked, then stuttered, then swallowed. “But… but… I don’t understand.”
“Thankfully, no one is asking you to.” Ajax gave him a genial smile and shrugged, climbing in after Susanna. “I’m sure you’ll work it out in time.”
The driver slammed the door shut, then returned to his post.
Orville stared, mouth hanging open.
Susanna took pity, and leaned over Ajax, calling out the window, “The cutlets are in the oven, the leeks in a pot of water. Oh, and the buns are in the warming drawer. I didn’t have time to make a pudding.”
The driver gave a shout, and the horses were off. Susanna fell into Ajax’s lap with a shriek, but he caught her and drew her up in his arms.
Orville jogged alongside the carriage for a few paces before giving up. He stood there in the lane as they drove away, hat in his hands, looking very unwilling to deliver the news he had just learned.
Chapter Twenty-Five
When they bypassed therail station, Susanna looked to Ajax, confused.
“Are we not returning?”
He smiled and closed his eyes, leaning back against the seat next to her. “Not to Elverton Bridge. Not yet.”
She glanced back out the window, but found nothing informative about the outside landscape, which hadn’t changed much since they’d passed out of town. Everything cast long, spindly shadows as the afternoon gave way to evening. At this time of year, it would be dark before long. “Then where?”
He opened one eye playfully. “Haven’t you always wished to live by the sea?”
She looked away, thinking. “Are we to Bournemouth then?”
He nodded, then reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze. When Susanna didn’t respond he sat forward, pivoting so he could face her.
“Are you not pleased?”
