Page 44 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm
“It is rather unlike you,” Graham said as he cut up the piece of roast pork on his plate. “Why is it that you came to such a sudden decision?”
Miss Browne looked at her plate as she rolled some of her peas back and forth. “It was not as sudden as it probably seemed.” Graham gave her a curious look, and instead of clamming up as she had before Miss Browne gave him a sad smile. “The day of Lord Stanhope’s party I left because I was embarrassed. Your sister told me to enter through the servant’s entrance. Everyone heard her. I was mortified.”
Graham’s jaw clenched. “I shall have to speak to her.”
“No. You see. I realised while I was sitting the dark that it was my fault. Amanda was just trying to show me what everyone else was too polite to say. This is all my fault because I tried to get above my station.” Miss Browne ate a pea and then said, “I think I have finally come to terms with the fact that one really should not fight the place where one was born. I am a vicar’s daughter, and that is all I shall ever be.”
Graham fumed at the very thought of that. “Nonsense,” he grumbled. “You are a beautiful, intelligent woman. You should never settle for what so-called betters deem to give you off the table. You deserve better than that, and my sister has no right to judge anyone.”
“She did offer me to be her guest, and I refused. She had every right to treat me as her maid because I was her maid, Lord Easterly,” Miss Browne said with a shrug of her shoulders.
Graham leaned forward. “How my sister treated you is worse than any run of the mill maid, Miss Browne. I have spoken with her about her behaviour at length.”
“If that was so, why did you agree to allow me to serve at your dinner party?” Miss Browne covered her face. “Oh, no. I am making you miss your party.”
Graham frowned. “What party?”
Miss Browne peered at him puzzled. “The party that Amanda said you were having tonight. She said that I had to serve Lord Stanhope and the Duchess of Windham.”
With a sigh, Graham growled, “It appears I have even more to talk to my sister about.”
Miss Browne shook her head. “She was probably jesting, but I was still so hurt from the incident at Lord Stanhope’s that I could not see it. It appears I am an even bigger fool than I thought.” She gave a sad laugh and took a sip of her wine.
Graham could see her fighting back her tears. “Never mind all of that. I for one do not mind a night away from home. It is rather peaceful here. Let us enjoy this lovely meal, shall we?”
Miss Browne nodded and they fell into a companionable silence as they ate. Graham had not lied. This was indeed rather pleasant.
After they had parted ways to head to their rooms, Graham could not help the nagging sense that Miss Browne was still upset. He went to her room and knocked gently. Her voice called, “Who is there?”
‘It is me, Miss Browne,” he called back softly through the door to keep from disturbing the rest of the inn.
She cracked the door open and he gave her a friendly smile. “Lord Easterly,” she said in confusion. “I thought you were off to bed?”
“I was, but I could not help but think that you still seemed upset. There is no way I could sleep thinking of you in distress, so I came to check on you,” Graham gave her a helpless gesture, which caused Miss Browne to smile.
She leaned against the door. “This seems an odd place to talk.”
“I could come in, but there might be rumours,” Graham said with a soft laugh.
Miss Browne whispered, “I promise not to tell anyone.” She stepped back and offered him entrance.
“I really should not,” Graham said, even if he did find it tempting. “What is it that is bothering you? What else has my sister done that has you so upset?”
Miss Browne shook her head. “There is nothing else that Amanda has done, I assure you.”
“Then what is it? I beseech you, Miss Browne. Do you never wish me to sleep again?” Graham gave her a teasing smile.
Miss Browne leaned her head to the side as if she was considering he said. At length, she sighed. “It is the Duchess of Windham, if you truly must know.”
Graham’s brows furrowed as he tried to picture the raven-haired duchess being cruel to Miss Browne. “It does not seem much like Her Grace to be mean-spirited, but what is it that she has done?”
“That is just it. She has not done anything to me.” Miss Browne looked at Graham with a sad expression. “She is perfect. She is beauty refined and measured. She is everything I shall never be.”
Graham studied her for a long moment. “You almost sound jealous.”
“I am,” Miss Browne said with an honesty so raw that Graham could almost feel her disappointment in herself. “I despise her, and I have no reason to. But when she looks at you and you look at her, I feel quite sick.”
Graham stared at her for a long moment. “Youarejealous. You are jealous because you think I like her?”
