Page 24 of Lady Audacious
‘Perhaps I was a little too quick to judge,’ Odile conceded. ‘He caught me at a disadvantage and when I think that a person is attempting to dominate me, I tend to bite first.’
‘It won’t do his lordship no harm to come across a little resistance. He normally gets whatever he wants, what with him being so personable.’ She paused. ‘And so handsome and persuasive. I expect you noticed his good looks.’
‘Barely.’ Odile sighed, anxious to change the subject, but for some reason also keen to learn everything there was to know about the earl. ‘I will take your advice about my dining arrangements here in the house, even though I am reluctant to give you more work. Hopefully local society will recover from the shock of having an independent young woman residing in the locality. One lives in anticipation of their epiphany.’
‘Where were you before you came here, if you don’t mind my asking? We were that surprised when someone turned up to claim possession of the house. It has been vacant for that long.’
‘I don’t mind at all. My parents died in an accident when I was ten. I don’t remember anything about them, or about my life before that accident. I was in the carriage when it overturned,’ she said, self-consciously touching the scars on her arm through the fabric of her sleeve. ‘I took a knock to the head and when I woke up again, I couldn’t remember anything.’
‘Oh, you poor lamb.’ Mrs Blaine’s eyes watered and she produced a handkerchief to blow her nose. ‘I fought with my husband and children every day. It’s what families do and sometimes I despaired, but I never once envisaged life without them. When my Bill passed away, God rest his soul, I thought my life had ended too. But you soldier on. What other choice is there?’
‘None whatsoever, Mrs Blaine. Take it from one who knows.’
‘Who took you in? A relative?’
‘No, I was placed in a school—a good one, fortunately—and remained there as a teacher once my days in the classroom came to an end. I only found out about this inheritance a few days ago when I attained my majority, and before you ask, I have absolutely no idea who left it to me.’
‘What a mystery.’ Mrs Blaine’s eyes gleamed. ‘No wonder you are so determined to turn it into a home. You imagine, I suppose, that it once belonged to your parents.’
She shrugged. ‘It’s possible. Do you remember anyone living here in the past?’
‘Not for years. At least eleven or twelve, I’d say. There was a gentleman whose name escapes me.’ She tapped the side of her head. ‘It will come back to me. He was something of a recluse. He weren’t here all the time, and the house was crumbling around him. Ever since he left it’s been vacant. Of course, I wasn’t here at the time. After Bill died, I couldn’t stand to remain in the village where I was born and brought up. The sympathy was too much for me. So I took a position as a cook in London and stayed there until I was no longer needed. I haven’t long been back. You always go back to your roots, I think.’
‘Please keep what I have told you about my circumstances to yourself, Mrs Blaine. I don’t want the entire village knowing my business—or worse, feeling sorry for me.’
‘You can depend upon me. I know how to keep a secret.’ Mrs Blaine poured more tea. ‘I suppose you will try to find out who left you the house and why. I know I would in your position. Won’t your lawyers tell you anything?’
‘Not a thing.’ Odile sighed, feeling the relief of a burden shared. ‘They have told me not to probe, since they have strict instructions not to tell me anything.’
‘Which won’t prevent you from trying to find out.’
Odile swallow her tea and grinned at her cook over the rim of her cup. ‘I can see that you have already got my measure.’ She stood. ‘Anyway, I cannot waste the day in idle conversation. Harris is driving me into Chichester so that I can consult about draperies and cushions. I hope we shall not be gone for too long. Will you set the others to work when they arrive?’
‘Don’t you worry none, pet. Take all the time you need. I will make sure that they get on with their duties.’
‘Thank you, Mrs Blaine. I already do not know how I managed without you.’
‘Get away with you!’ Mrs Blaine replied, blushing.
Chapter Seven
Sarah slept badly, her repose disturbed by unwelcome recollections of Reuben’s indifference towards her the previous evening and concerns that her malady, now that she’d lost control of it, would run rampant. It was hardly surprising given that Reuben had made a deliberate point of ignoring her, which was insupportable and undermined all the efforts she had made to worm her way into his affections. Something absolutely had to be done about it, since she had quite made up her mind to become mistress of this wealthy estate and loyal wife to one of the most handsome, sophisticated gentlemen on the marriage mart.
He clearly didn’t love her, that much she was forced to concede, but love played little part in the formation of marriages in high society.Anyway, she would overcome that misfortune once she had his ring safely on her finger and he had come to depend upon her. The countess wasn’t getting any younger and Sarah would happily assume responsibility for his sisters, ensuring that they made good marriages.
That would absolve him from a major duty while earning her his gratitude, especially if she could settle Emily, who was accustomed to expressing her opinions far too freely and frequently declared her disinclination for the married state. Reuben often mentioned that he would prefer not to crush her spirit by imposing his will and Sarah accepted that his favourite sister might yet prove to be an impediment to her own plans. That was why she had gone out of her way to cultivate her good opinion, determined not have her ambitions thwarted by a mere slip of a girl.
The alternative was unthinkable. She couldn’t afford to be presented, and in retrospect she half wished that she’d accepted her godmother’s kind offer to take responsibility for her in that regard. If Reuben could have seen her sparkling amongst the elite of theton, it would have brought him to his senses in double quick time. She knew she would have been admired—her beauty had assured her of more than her share of attention since she’d first put her hair up and stepped out into local society. Men, contrary creatures that they were, always want what they cannot have.
But that opportunity had passed her by. She was damned if she would make her curtsey to the queen in the company of Reuben’s eldest sister, who was due to come out next season. That would merely emphasise her situation as a surrogate sister. Besides, she was two years older than Beth and being presented so long after reaching the requisite age would make her appear desperate.
Shewasdesperate, she privately conceded, but that was beside the point. Sarah had overcome the inconvenience of a disinterested mother who always appeared vague and a little detached from reality, and had become accustomed to getting whatever she wanted. Her focus had been on Reuben since she turned the age of sixteen, a disquieting four years previously, and she had squandered all other opportunities in her determined pursuit of him.
‘Disobliging man!’ she grumbled, as she leaned out of bed and yanked on the bell rope to summon Nelly.
She lay back against her pillows, ruminating upon her disappointments and driving herself into an increasingly black mood which she knew better than to encourage for fear of where it might lead. She had been wronged and treated without respect, and something had to be done about it.
The door opened and Nelly sauntered into the room, bearing a ewer of hot water.
