Ellie rolled over to face Emma. “I want to stay in bed all day and drink chocolate until I feel sick to my stomach.”
Emma smiled. “That does sound rather ideal, but my mother has formed a plan to help you.”
“How is that possible?” Ellie asked. “I am ruined.”
“As much as I appreciate the dramatic behavior, I do think you are being rather hard on yourself.”
“You heard what was being said about me.”
“I did, but it is hardly a scandal,” Emma said. “Besides, we both know that you did nothing wrong.”
“Then why do I feel as if I did?”
Emma grabbed Ellie’s hand and yanked on it. “Let’s go,” she encouraged. “I am not going to sit here and let you pity yourself.”
Ellie sighed as she sat up. “I suppose I am slightly hungry.” She moved her feet over the side of the bed. “Although, I still want chocolate. Loads of chocolate.”
“I will see to that.”
Rising, Emma stepped to the door and opened it. Ellie’s lady’s maid stepped into the room and asked, “Are you ready to dress for the day?”
“I suppose,” Ellie replied reluctantly.
Mary walked over to the armoire and removed a white gown. “Would this do?”
“I expect anything would,” Ellie replied. “I have no intention of actually going outside today.”
Emma gave her an amused look. “You are being quite contrary.” She went to the dressing table and put her hand on the back of the chair. “Why don’t you sit and get your hair coiffed first?”
Ellie did Emma’s bidding. Mary laid the gown on the bed and came over to the dressing table. She picked up a brush and ran it through Ellie’s brown tresses, then put the brush down and picked up the hair pins.
Once her hair was finished, Ellie allowed Mary to help her dress. She smoothed down her white gown and turned to face Emma. “Is this sufficient?” she asked.
Emma nodded. “You look lovely in your new gown.”
“I must thank your mother; she bought me ten gowns, including five ball gowns,” Ellie said. “Not that I will be wearing any of the other ball gowns now.”
“You are quite a naysayer right now,” Emma stated with a laugh.
“I suppose I am.”
As they departed from her bedchamber, Emma remarked, “This shall pass, you know.”
“I don’t think it will, and I have no idea how I will be able to face my mother when I return home.”
“Perhaps my mother will hire you both on as companions.”
“If only we could be that lucky,” Ellie murmured.
They headed towards the breakfast parlor, and Ellie dreaded the upcoming conversation. She had no doubt that they would all look at her with pity, and she didn’t think she could take it.
As they stepped into the room, she saw Lord Bideford sitting at the head of the table, and his mother and Charles sitting to his right. The men rose when they entered, and Emma waved them back down.
“I was able to convince Ellie to join us for breakfast,” Emma announced.
“That is wonderful,” Harriet replied. “We have so much that we need to discuss.”
Ellie gave her a weak smile before she stepped over to the buffet, where a footman handed her a plate. After putting a piece of toast on it, she sat down.
