Page 87 of The Redemption of the Shrew

“No, you are delightfully quarrelsome,” he said, leaning in for another kiss. “But please oblige me in this.”

“Very well, I shall.” After he left, she wondered why she had given in so easily. Something about her had changed greatly since last night.

Her only reticule large enough to accommodate the pistol as well as pins, handkerchief, and sundry other items didn’t match any of her evening gowns, so she spent an hour covering it with blue beads and some scraps of Chantilly lace.

Elspeth came into the boudoir and eyed it dubiously.

“You needn’t sniff at it,” Gloriana said. “It’s the only one big enough to fit my pistol.”

“You ought to have asked me to sew it for you,” Elspeth said. “You don’t have the patience for stitchery.”

“I didn’t want to inconvenience you,” Gloriana said.

“That’s what I’m here for, miss.” The maid bustled about. “Whatever do you want with a nasty pistol, may I ask, when you’re going to an evening party?”

“Nothing,” Gloriana said. “Philippe asked—no, he more or less ordered me to take it with me.”

“Then you should obey him,” Elspeth said.

Again, Gloriana was tempted to leave it behind. “I don’t know why. Lord Hythwick is out of town, and I’ll be in my own carriage, so I’ll be perfectly safe.”

“Because if you obey him in such small matters, it will make it much easier to disobey him when necessary.”

“As you will obey or disobey Mr. Turner, depending on the situation?”

“Yes, indeed, miss. I can assure you that when I vow to obey him, I shall add in my mind ‘unless he orders me to do something contrary to my conscience or commonsense’. I’m sure God will agree with that amendment, for men are not infallible, however much they might wish to be, nor can they be expected to understand a woman’s mind.” A trace of emotion crossed her face. She took a deep breath. “Miss Glow, my Mr. Turner would like to become your Philippe’s valet.”

“He would?”

The maid shook out a celestial blue evening gown. “Yes, miss. He doesn’t want to be an innkeeper or a tailor or anything else.”

“And what about you, Elspeth?”

“I don’t wish to be a milliner or a dressmaker, if that’s what you mean.”

Gloriana frowned, not quite understanding, and took the plunge anyway. “I don’t want to lose you, Elspeth, but if you’re tired of being a servant, I understand.” She took a breath. “Or if you’re just tired of working for me.”

“Tsk,” Elspeth said. “You’re the best mistress ever and a good friend as well. But what about when I have children?”

For a long moment, Gloriana couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. Elspeth considered her a friend! She hastened into speech. “If you’re too busy, I’ll get another maid and find something else for you to do.”

“That you certainly will not, miss.” Elspeth laid the gown tenderly on the bed. “No one knows how to take care of you as I do.” She paused. “I might accept an assistant, perhaps, to do the less exacting chores.”

“Oh, thank God.” Gloriana closed her eyes with relief. Everything was working out fine.

Chapter 18

Sophie cuddled within the arms of her lover—but not, as always before, in bed. They sheltered from the night breeze between a wall and a tree, keeping watch on Hythwick House.

“Astonishing how he just walked in there, bold as brass,” Mr. Alexander said. “Any minute now, he’ll walk out again, book in hand.”

“That is nothing to what my brother did in France,” Sophie said. “He rescued many people from certain death.”

“An audacious man for certain. He’s a good match for Miss Glow.” He tightened his arms about her. “I like this—walking, talking, cuddling with you, but not in bed.”

Yes, so did she.

“Not that I’m complaining about being in bed with you. It’s the creeping about that I’m tired of.”