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“We’re departing for the country early tomorrow morning, but I shall ask Ronan if you might stay with us,” she said matter of factly. “There is plenty of room. Before you leave today, I’ll give you the direction to Kelvingrove Park.”
“You’ll do no such thing. I’m not about to impose upon a newly married couple.”
Chasity tempered her reply with a brave smile. The notion rather horrified her, in truth. Besides, this house wasn’t Mercy’s. It was her in-laws. They might feel entirely different about a stranger in their midst.
“However, I would appreciate it if you could find a position for a capricious housemaid who has been a loyal friend to me,” Chasity said. “I’m afraid she won’t last at Balderbrook’s even if I do.”
“Consider it done,” Mercy assured her with the confidence of one who knows her husband and family would support her decision. “She can inquire here. I’ll leave a note with the butler.”
In recent days, doubt had begun to niggle in the back of Chasity’s mind, and she wasn’t positive she wanted a life as an instructor or assistant headmistress anymore. Just because she was an excellent teacher didn’t mean she found joy in it. The truth of it was, she’d been perfectly content with her lot in life until a certain dance master had come upon the scene.
“I’m so sorry you are going through this, dearest.” This from Faith as Joy and Mercy nodded in agreement.
They mightn’t share any blood, but they’d always been like sisters.
Mercy glanced up, and a rosy blush suffused her cheeks, causing all of the women to look to where she stared. Her husband, Ronan Brockman, grinned at his new wife, then gave her a decidedly wicked wink.
“He’s a complete rapscallion,” Mercy said with such love that it was obvious she meant it as a compliment.
Chasity was glad for her friend.
Mercy had found love. Something women born into their stations weren’t always permitted. She exchanged a knowing glance with Faith, who, like Chasity, had never imagined herself married. However, an irregular twinge somewhere behind her breastbone forced Chasity to confront that tarradiddle.
She’d never imagined marriage before meeting Aston. How one man could disrupt her well-ordered life and make her want something she’d always disdained made no sense. Security and stability had always been at the forefront of every decision she made. Every goal she’d set and attained.
Women could not afford to be without either. Life was cruel to those unfortunate women.
Had Chasity’s mother been one of those wretches?
A female who’d been a victim of her circumstances?
Chasity would never know.
Eager to change the subject, she picked up her teacup and took a sip of delicious, if tepid, tea. “I wish Purity could’ve joined us today. She wrote and said it’s likely her charges will all be off to boarding schools soon. I hope she applies for one of the open positions at Balderbrook’s…”
Her voice trailed off.
A helpless feeling overcame her. If she weren’t there, there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in a bonfire Mrs. Crenshaw would hire any friend of Chasity’s.
Joy must’ve sensed her distress because she plastered a brilliant smile upon her face and said, “Tell us about your new position, Faith.”
Faith grinned, the freckles on her face seeming to take on a life of their own. “I start tomorrow.” Excitement fairly oozed off of her. “At first, I shall only transcribe for Lord Kellinggrave. He’s the third son of a duke, but—”
She stopped speaking abruptly and blinked her big brown eyes rather owlishly behind her spectacles.
“Why, that’s him. Lord Constantine Kellinggrave,” she reiterated for their benefit. “There, the tall blond wearing a gray jacket that just entered the drawing room with that dark-haired gentleman.”
Chasity turned her head, and her gaze snared with Aston’s. He swept his gaze over her, wrapping her in deep brown velvetiness. Her tummy fluttered most irregularly.
What was he doing here?
Naturally, it wasn’t preposterous that he’d be invited or know someone who’d been invited. Aston was a viscount’s grandson, after all. No doubt, he was well acquainted and associated with many of those present today as well as others amongst the haut ton.
Chasity only knew her friends and just today had been introduced to Dr. Brandon Morrisette, Joy’s husband, and Lord Ronan Brockman, Mercy’s new husband. That she’d recognized Lady Finch-Hatten and her daughter Saphira upon her arrival didn’t count.
Lady Finch-Hatten’s other daughter attended Balderbrook’s Institution for Genteel Ladies, but Chasity wasn’t foolish enough to attempt to greet the woman. Her ladyship had turned her frosty gaze upon Chasity and regarded her with the same revulsion one would fresh horse manure in the parlor.
Aston said something to Lord Kellinggrave, who glanced toward the women. His astute green gaze rested on each of the ladies for a moment before gliding away as a rotund dame swathed in a shocking shade of pink and wearing a gold and fuchsia turban from which poked three peacock feathers demanded his attention.
