Page 38 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
“I wish to know what you think of my betrothed,” Christianna blurted. Miss Fitzroy had just picked up the braid again and was about to resume her work, but she hesitated. Christianna urged, “I mean it, Miss Fitzroy. I want to know what you honestly think of the Duke of Bixby.”
“I am not sure I can speak against the master of the house, my lady,” Miss Fitzroy demurred.
“Ah!” Christianna cried. “So, you do want to say something against him.”
Miss Fitzroy’s face turned bright pink. “I…”
Christianna swivelled in her seat so she could look directly at her new confidant. “I have come to you, Miss Fitzroy, because I need an impartial third party. My aunt and the dowager duchess are wrapped up in this whole wedding scheme and are focused on keeping the guests happy.
And the guests! Ha! While some of them are my dearest friends, I get the feeling that they would all be happier if Percy and I didn’t get married because then they would have a shot at ensnaring him themselves.” She paused and heaved a heavy breath. “If you do not wish to speak against the duke, at least tell me what happened the other night while I was playing on the pianoforte.”
“My lady?”
“Well…what were you and the other maids doing in the room? Why were you even there?”
Miss Fitzroy nodded. “That is a question I can answer easily. We were there at the request of the Dowager Duchess of Bixby. She did not mean to imply that the footmen were doing a poor job with their serving, but she said she wanted some of the maids to assist as well. So, I suppose we were there in a working capacity but….”
“But then the duke came over and started flirting with you,” Christianna finished for her. “And what did he say to you, Miss Fitzroy? What made you blush as you did?”
Miss Fitzroy shook her head vehemently. “I shan’t repeat it, my lady. But Albina says he was only being playful. He meant no disrespect.”
“Albina?” Christianna asked, not recalling anyone of that name of her acquaintance.
“She is the Dowager Duchess of Bixby’s lady’s maid,” Miss Fitzroy explained. “She has been with the dowager since she was nineteen years old, and she says His Grace is just…well, I shall not repeat her words and break her confidences either, but suffice it to say, she considers his behaviour flirtatious, but otherwise innocuous.”
“And what do you think of the duke’s brother, Doctor Radcliff?” Christianna prompted.
Miss Fitzroy’s eyebrows arched knowingly. “What doyouthink of him, my lady?”
“What?” Christianna asked. “Why should you turn my question on me?”
A small smirk appeared on the maid’s face. She used the tips of her fingers to turn Christianna so she was once again facing the looking glass, and she picked up the long locks of hair and began her work again. “I do believe, my lady, if I am still being honest with you, that you started this conversation this morning because you really wished to speak to me about Lord Phineas. I have seen the way you look at him, and I do think your feelings for him are complex.”
“Yes,” Christianna replied with a hint of gratefulness in her tone. “I am so glad you were able to see things clearly. I wish I was afforded such lucidity.”
“So…you do like Lord Phineas?” Miss Fitzroy prompted.
“Of course, I like him,” Christianna answered as she stared at her own reflection in the mirror. “But I do not know how anyone could help liking him. He is a brilliant physician, an eloquent speaker, and…”
“Very handsome, too,” Miss Fitzroy added. Christianna looked up at her sharply.
“Yes,” she agreed simply. “His green eyes are…captivating.”
“Have you found yourself ‘captivated’, as you say, by Lord Phineas’ green eyes?” Miss Fitzroy questioned, and Christianna noticed how that teasing smirk still sat upon her lips.
“Do you already know something I have been trying to withhold?” Christianna begged to know. “Have you…or has someone else seen me with Doctor Radcliff?”
“I cannot speak for what others have witnessed, but I know there is something between the two of you, my lady. I have been your chaperone on several occasions, and it would be hard to miss the looks the two of you share with one another.” Miss Fitzroy finished with the braid and moved onto curling the remaining strands of hair.
“I did not realise we had made our mounting feelings so noticeable,” Christianna said quietly. “I do hope no one saw us kissing last night.”
Miss Fitzroy inhaled sharply. “You kissed the duke’s brother?”
Christianna nodded. “Yes…and I rather enjoyed it.”
A tiny peal of laughter burst from Miss Fitzroy. “Forgive me the impertinence, my lady, but I know no other way to react. When this conversation first began, I had no idea what you would share with me, but now I understand the depth of the situation and find it to be a bit…diverting.”
“Diverting?” Christianna prodded. “How so?”
