Emilia tightened the wrapper around her waist as she replied, “I was hoping you would consider becoming my lady’s maid. I will pay you double what you were earning as a teacher.”
“But I know nothing about being a lady’s maid,” Lily stated.
“Neither do I,” Emilia said. “I just need a friend right now. Someone that I can trust to help guide me.”
Lily grew silent. “I will do it, but only if I don’t have to wear a maid’s uniform.”
“You can wear whatever you want. In fact, I would be happy to order you a whole new wardrobe, if you would like.”
Her friend held out the sides of her skirt. “I could use another dress. This one is getting rather worn.”
Emilia smiled. “I am so glad that you are here.”
“As am I,” Lily said. “I have never ridden in a coach before. I felt like a real-life princess.”
“That is just one of my coaches, supposedly. I have yet to make it to the stables.”
Lily giggled. “I just wish I could see Mrs. Allston’s face when she learns that we both won’t be returning as teachers. She might just march over here with her pinched, red face and demand that we return to our positions.”
“I will inform the guards not to admit her entry through the gates,” Emilia said.
A grumbling came from Lily’s stomach and she brought a hand to cover it. “My apologies, but I didn’t eat anything this morning.”
“Then we must go down to breakfast.”
Lily looked unsure. “I do believe I am supposed to eat in the kitchen.”
“That is utter nonsense. You will eat with me in the dining room,” Emilia said. “I insist.”
Her friend looked as if she were going to argue with her. But fortunately, she relented. “Very well, but we must change you out of your wrapper.”
Emilia headed back into her bedchamber and opened the wardrobe. “Lady Roswell sent over a few gowns for me to wear until my new gowns arrive.”
Lily came to stand next to her. “A few gowns?” she asked. “There is a whole wardrobe here, and I have never seen such fine gowns before. They are quite lovely, are they not?”
“They are,” Emilia agreed as she ran her hand down a pale blue muslin gown with embroidered flowers on the net overlay.
“Are you not required to go into mourning since Sir Charles only just died?” Lily asked.
Emilia dropped her hand and replied, “Lady Roswell doesn’t think it is necessary since I didn’t know my father.”
Lily eyed her curiously. “You seem awfully close to this Lady Roswell.”
“We only just met yesterday,” Emilia shared. “She is Lord Chatsworth’s sister-in-law. I had an unexpected run-in with him in Hyde Park.”
“You met a lord?” Lily asked. “Is he handsome?”
Emilia nodded. “He is very handsome, and very kind. I didn’t realize who he was when I initiated a conversation with him.”
“You spoke to a gentleman without being properly introduced?” Lily tsked. “Do I know you anymore?”
She laughed. “It sounds worse than it was, but Lord Chatsworth offered to help me.”
The humor left Lily’s face. “Why would he do such a thing?” she asked.
“I know it sounds odd, but he is just doing it out of the goodness of his heart,” Emilia replied. “I assure you that his intentions are honorable.”
Lily frowned. “I would be leery of this Lord Chatsworth. Surely, he must be getting something out of helping you.”
