Page 20 of If the Slipper Fits
She believed she did. Unfortunately, she had no idea what he might have said. “I…see.”
“He told all and sundry how he stumbled while leading you to the dining hall. Claimed he suffered a bout of dizziness due to his recent head injury.” She cocked her head slightly, a considering look on her face. “Shame he laid you out in the process.”
“Me?” she yelped. “Laid out?”
Lady Wentworth’s lips twitched. “Naturally the ordeal left you distraught, with no appetite to speak of, and you hobbled back here to recuperate.”
“I see,” she said again. This was how he protected her reputation? By painting her as a clumsy invalid? Anna’s belly gave a low growl as if in solidarity with her indignation.
“Tell me, was any part of the handsome fiend’s tale true?”
Caden had provided a plausible excuse for her disappearance. But lying to Lady Wentworth felt wrong. “Perhaps he stalled due to a bit of dizziness, but he did not stumble, nor did I wind up prostrate on the floor, for heaven’s sake.”
Lady Wentworth gazed on her with a knowing expression. “An opportunity to flee presented itself and you took it before thinking it through?”
Anna twisted her hands in her lap.
“I could ask why. I could press you for answers, but I suspect your response would be your usual vagary. You do value your privacy. Reminds me a bit of myself."
Anna blinked. She'd never dreamt Lady Wentworth noticed her skirting any but the most innocuous questions relating to her past.
“I have developed a theory of sorts.” Lady Wentworth paused, as if deliberating her words. “Something tragic happened in your past, likely involving your late husband, perhaps even your parents. Now you’re playing it safe. Maybe too safe. Maybe even allowing life to pass you by.”
Anna couldn’t speak. Lady Wentworth had deduced a fair amount. More, rather than speaking to her in anger, she seemed to understand, even sympathize with her.
A fond smile curved the older woman’s lips. “Do you know why I wanted you to attend tonight's festivities?”
Anna shook her head and, curse it all, stared at the silver-haired dynamo through a misty haze.
“Because you remind me of someone I once knew whom I…” Her words abruptly halted. Her eyes lowered to her pale hands, clenched in her lap.
Alarm flashed through Anna. She hated to see the indefatigable lady distressed, much less on account of her. “My lady?”
The older woman shook her head once then leveled her gaze on Anna. “It’s a house party, Anna, in the country. Not all of society’s rules apply--especially not as concern widows. Your husband may be dead, but you’re not, something a particularly dashing man of your recent acquaintance has clearly noticed.”
An image of Caden as she’d seen him hours ago, smiling, hair gleaming, aiming those lethal blue eyes in her direction, flashed in her mind. She replayed the sound of his voice curling into her ear.“Your perfume…tantalizes me…”
With brutal effort she suppressed the sudden, fierce yearning swamping her senses.
“I have some understanding of what goes on at parties such as these, Lady Wentworth, and I thank you for your…” She broke off, searching for the word. “…concern. Rest assured I am quite content with my life as it is.”
Not precisely the truth, but not a total lie. While she enjoyed Lady Wentworth’s companionship, she sometimes longed for something more—a husband, a grand passion, even a career of sorts. Thanks to what she’d done—beginning with misplacing her trust—she could have none of those things. Not without risking her very life.
The older woman frowned in evident bemusement. “I see. I’m glad to hear it. Still. I can’t help feeling you’re missing out.”
Pressing her hands into the arms of the chair, she hefted herself to her feet. “Now if you don’t mind, I refuse to spend one moment longer in this blasted contraption. I swear, men designed corsets as partof a devious plot to torture the fairer sex into submission.” Her words faded as she disappeared into the adjoining bedchamber.
Anna stared at the empty doorway. Her employer had let her off easy tonight. Her leniency was more than she deserved.
But what she’d suggested—that Anna might enjoy Caden’s company, without censure, at least for a little while—hurt beyond measure. Because Anna couldn’t risk the one thing she suddenly wished for more than anything else in the world.
***
Anna arose with the sun, despite suffering a sleepless night. She relished her daily walks, breathing in the brisk early-morning air. From the start of her employ, Lady Wentworth permitted the practice. Anna showed her gratitude by not allowing it to interfere with any plans the lady might have for the day. To that end she held to the maxim, the sooner she left, the better.
Pulling the simple tan linen walking dress over her head, a slip of shiny gold at floor level caught her eye. Ah, yes. She tied the cord at her bodice and frowned at the poor, lone slipper lying against the baseboard where it had landed last night.
She scooped up the slipper, admiring its hand-stitched embroidery briefly before tucking it away in the wardrobe beneath her folded nightshift. She doubted very much she’d see the missing half of the pair ever again. But she’d take a look nonetheless.
