“I can imagine,” Theodosia murmured.
With one last pin tucked securely into place, Mary steppedback and surveyed her work. “She retired to her chambers shortly after you were introduced,” she shared.
“That doesn’t bode well,” Theodosia said, trying to mask her anxiety.
Mary busied herself with tidying the dressing table. “That’s all I should say on the matter.”
Theodosia turned in her seat, facing the maid directly. “Thank you, truly. I’ve never been in a house this grand before. It’s quite overwhelming.”
Mary’s lips curved into something like a knowing smile. “It is grand. But grandeur comes with shadows. This house has its share of secrets.”
“What sort of secrets?”
Mary raised her brows but said nothing more. Instead, she walked to the bed and picked up the gown. “You’ll find out in time. Now then, let’s get you dressed.”
Theodosia removed her habit and stepped into the gown, feeling the cool whisper of the muslin as Mary slid it over her shoulders. As the maid began fastening the row of pearl buttons along the back, Theodosia asked, “What do you know of Lord Wilton?”
“What do you wish to know?”
“He seems…” She trailed off, searching for a word that wouldn’t reveal too much. Brooding came to mind. Handsome, guarded, vexing. “Tolerable,” she said at last.
A soft laugh escaped the maid. “I rarely see him, but the other staff speak well of him. He’s fair and exacting. He expects things to be done his way, but he’s not unkind.”
“That does sound like him,” Theodosia admitted.
Before Mary could respond, the door opened, and Lady Olivia stepped into the room. She wore a deep maroon gown that set off her pale complexion, and her hair was arranged with elegant precision. Her expression, however, revealed nothing.
“I thought it best,” Olivia said, “if I escorted you to the dining room myself.”
“Thank you,” Theodosia replied carefully, uncertain whether this was a peace offering or a calculated move.
Olivia’s eyes flicked over her, pausing briefly at her face. “The gown suits you.”
“Lady Olivia, thank you. It’s beautiful.”
Olivia gave the barest nod, then gestured towards the door. “Shall we?”
With a final glance at Mary, who offered a discreet, encouraging nod, Theodosia followed Olivia out of the room and into the unknown.
They stepped into the corridor, their slippers muffled against the thick carpeting, and a heavy silence quickly settled between them. Theodosia folded her hands in front of her, unsure of what to say or whether anything she said would make a difference. The tension in the air was palpable. Would she ever feel at ease in Olivia’s presence?
She stole a glance at the other woman and noted the rigidity in her posture, the sharp set of her jaw. Olivia’s expression was a mask of composure, but the flicker of tightness around her eyes revealed something less controlled. Oh, dear. This was not going well at all.
Theodosia decided to break the silence. “Do you enjoy reading, my lady?”
“I do,” Olivia replied without looking at her.
Encouraged by the reply, Theodosia pressed on. “So do I. I heard you frequent the circulating libraries when you are in Town.”
“That is correct.”
The conversation was stilted, but Theodosia refused to give up. “My father had a small collection of books that I devoured many times over. Of course, our modest library cannot compare to yours.”
Olivia’s lips pressed into a thin line. “We do have a rather extensive collection here. You are welcome to explore it… on your own.”
They walked a few more steps before Theodosia halted, her patience thinning. “Have I done something to offend you, Lady Olivia?”
Olivia stopped but did not immediately turn. “My brother was wrong to hire you,” she said, her tone clipped. “I do not need a companion.”
