Page 15 of Three Weeks with a Princess
“I’ll join Mama’s acting troupe. They’re looking for new company members now that they’re in London. Mama said so in her last letter. And I’m sure I could live with Mama and Mr. Lester in their town house in Kensington.”
Her grandmother regarded her with a dubious air. “Unfortunately, there are a number of critical drawbacks to that plan.”
“Such as?”
“You can’t sing, dance, or act.”
That was rather a low blow. “I’m not much of a singer, I grant you. But I’m sure I can learn to dance, and you know very well I can act.”
Lia had been playacting for as long as she could remember and had often dreamed girlish dreams of following in her mother’s famous footsteps. She’d put on any number of recitations for her grandmother and his lordship over the years and had staged skits and little dramas for the servants, often with help from the kitchen maids and footmen. Granny and Lord Lendale had often told her that she was as fine an actress as Mrs. Siddons.
“My darling, the truth is you’re a dreadful actress,” her grandmother said in a patient tone.
“But you and his lordship were always so enthusiastic about my performances,” she protested.
“Because we didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
“But what about the amateur theatricals I put on up at the house? The servants all seemed to think I was splendid.”
Her grandmother rolled her eyes.
She couldn’t help feeling daunted, but she had no intention of conceding—especially if the alternative was to become the next Notorious Kincaid. Lia was convinced she’d make an utter fool of herself as a courtesan, especially because her heart wouldn’t be in it.
“I don’t care what you say,” she said. “I’m writing to Mama tonight and telling her I’m coming to London. I can at least try out the notion on her and Mr. Lester and see what they say.”
Her grandmother seemed to waver for a moment, but then she grimaced. “I feel certain your mother will not be amenable to you taking up the theatrical life.”
“But she will be amenable to me becoming someone’s mistress?” Lia asked with disbelief.
Granny starched up. “It was good enough for me, was it not?”
“Look how well that’s turned out.”
“I’m sure under certain conditions your mother will agree to this plan,” Granny said, clearly determined to ignore Lia’s objections.
“And what are those conditions?”
“That won’t become entirely clear until I’ve had a chance to speak with Jack.”
Lia’s mind blanked for a few moments. “What in heaven’s name does Jack have to do with me becoming a courtesan?”
Granny’s eyebrows lifted with delicate incredulity. “Because you’re feeling a little squeamish about this plan, I think he should be your first.”
Lia got a very bad feeling—which was something, considering how alarming the entire discussion had been thus far. “First what?” she asked, praying she had misunderstood.
“Your first lover, of course. But only if I can persuade him to agree to our terms.”
Chapter Three
“Jack, please wait,” called the sweetly lilting voice he knew as well as his own.
He turned to see Lia hurrying along the garden path that cut up from the stables. She was dressed in a faded blue day gown with a light scarf around her shoulders. Her lustrous hair was pulled back in a simple knot, as if she’d been in a hurry to dress.
He couldn’t help thinking how pretty she looked as she came to meet him—a domestic version of Flora, as fresh as spring and just as wholesome. He’d always found it ironic that the daughter and granddaughter of two exceedingly experienced women glowed with innocence. Lia was the epitome of a fresh-faced country girl destined for a happy life as a wife and mother. He hoped more than anything that he could still give that to her, even if he would never be the lucky man to claim such a prize.
Claim such a prize?
Jack had never thought of Lia in such terms and wouldn’t start now. Besides, he couldn’t afford to marry a penniless girl. His mother had made that point in yet another anxiety-filled letter just this morning. She’d included a list of the heiresses she’d vetted, each one a more than acceptable candidate for the role of Marchioness of Lendale.
