Page 43 of A Rogue to Cherish

“Yes, ma’am. I am.” Wren managed to speak past the sudden dryness in her throat.

“Please come and sit.” The woman took her arm and guided her to the sitting room. “I am Felicity, Grant’s sister.”

The resemblance became obvious to Wren, then. They did look a lot alike, except that Felicity’s features were much softer.

“It is nice to make your acquaintance,” Wren said, unsure of whether or not to curtsy. In the end, she did not.

“Sit, he is probably ensuring he’s perfectly coifed before descending.” Felicity shook her head. “My brother, ever the dandy.”

Wren lowered to the soft chair, feeling out of place immediately.

“What did my brother do now?” Felicity asked, her gaze moving to the packages. “Oh.”

Masculine voices sounded as the driver and Grant spoke. Then the sound of the door closing was followed by Grant entering the room. He stopped and gaped at seeing her, his gaze sweeping over Wren before moving to his sister. “Felicity, this is Wren Owen.”

Felicity bounced the child on her lap, making no move to leave. “We have met.”

“Will you give us a moment, please?” Grant said through tight lips.

“Please remain,” Wren said. She’d taken an immediate liking to his sister and felt a sort of support with her in the room. Then she turned to Grant and lifted her chin before she spoke. She was not about to be the submissive servant girl anymore. Not now, anyway. She didn’t work for his mother anymore, or his lover. “I do not have much to say to you.” She stood and held out the parcels.

Although she’d reconsidered several times what she’d stay when standing before him, her mind was awhirl with so many emotions. The most challenging emotion was the way she felt insulted. The reminder that she had to be dressed in the clothes of a lady and essentially changed in order to be seen with him was a stark revelation that Grant understood their differences and especially recognized that she was beneath him. It was galling. She lifted her chin. “Your ‘gift’ is insulting. That you think to buy me with items makes it clear how low you consider me to yourself. Additionally, sir, these things do not make up for you causing me to lose employment yet again. Twice I have lost work because you insist on seeking me out.”

His eyes rounded. “I did not know. I will speak to Mother.”

“Bad idea,” Felicity piped.

Grant slid a narrowed-eyed look at his sister, who acted as if she didn’t notice his reaction to her opinion. He grimaced and looked back at Wren. “Wren, I am so very sorry. Surely, I can help you find other employment, something suitable.”

Since he didn’t take the parcels, Wren placed them on the chair. “I do not require any assistance. You cannot dress me in fancy clothes, and magically make me become someone of your class level. Don’t you see? Just the fact you felt you had to do it makes our differences starkly apparent. I will not stand for it! Would you please just leave me be?” She moved toward the door. Tears threatened and it only served to make her angrier.

“I did not mean for it to be an insult,” Grant said, moving sideways to impede her leaving and block her way. “It is a gift, nothing more. I am sincere in my intentions to court you, Wren.”

“It can never be.” She tried to step around him.

“Because you refuse to even allow us to try!” He blocked her way again.

Wren shook her head. “What I need is work so that my aunt and I can keep a roof over our heads and purchase food to eat. Fancy things will not provide those things or give me work.” She fixed him with a glare. “If you would please move so I can leave!”

“Let her go, Grant,” Felicity said.

His eyes met Wren’s, imploring that she reconsider. “If there is anything I can do…”

“You have done enough,” Wren said. She turned to look at Felicity one last time, and then rushed from the room.

“I like her,” she heard Felicity say as she hurried out to find the driver waiting for her. Obviously Grant had paid the man to take her back. It would be the last thing he did for her. She’d not accept anything more from him.