“Which was?” Felicity asked.
“My father intends to sell my grandmother’s estate,” Simone replied.
Felicity gave her a look that alluded sympathy. “I’m sorry. I know how much you loved visiting that estate as a child,” she said. “I can’t imagine how difficult that is for you.”
“It is, but the contract states that I am the one selling the estate,” Simone revealed.
Now Felicity looked baffled. “I thought your grandmother left the estate to your mother.”
“I thought so as well.”
As she walked over to the wardrobe, Felicity asked, “Have you spoken to your father about this?”
“I have not, but I feel as if he is intentionally trying to keep this from me.”
Felicity retrieved a pink afternoon gown and held it up for her inspection. “Why would he do such a thing?”
“I don’t know, but I intend to find out.”
Walking over to the settee, Felicity placed the gown over the back before asking, “How exactly do you intend to do that?”
Simone blew out a puff of air. “It will come to me. It always does.”
“You will find a way,” Felicity encouraged. “Until then, let’s style your hair. You don’t want to keep your father waiting.”
“You are right, of course,” Simone said as she went to sit down in front of the vanity.
Felicity picked up the brush and removed the cap fromatop her head. “Did Mr. Bolingbroke search your father’s study with you?”
“He did.”
“Interesting,” Felicity murmured.
Simone turned in her seat to face her lady’s maid, unsure of her meaning. “Why is that interesting?”
“You two just seem to be spending a lot of time together,” Felicity replied.
Not liking where this conversation was headed, Simone responded in a dismissive tone, “That is what partners do.”
Felicity didn’t look convinced, but rather she appeared amused by Simone’s remark. “I just can’t help but wonder if you have started to develop feelings for Mr. Bolingbroke.”
Simone shook her head, vehemently. “I think not. He is not the type of man that I would fall for.”
“Do you take issue with handsome men?” Felicity joked.
“I take issue with men that are entirely too cocky for their own good, which he is. Irritatingly so,” Simone defended. “I have not met a more disagreeable man than him.”
Felicity placed the brush down and started to style her hair. “Forget I said anything,” she said, her lips twitching.
“I will.” Simone paused for a long moment before she asked the one question that had kept her up most of the night. “Did you ever find my mother’s death to be suspicious?”
With a shake of her head, Felicity replied, “No. Why do you ask?”
“Caleb just put a thought in my head.”
“Caleb?”
“Mr. Bolingbroke,” Simone corrected.
