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Chapter Fifteen
With no more entertainments to look forward to, or commissions to execute, Lissa slipped, with resignation, back into her old routine. Three days had passed since Lady Milton’s musical afternoon and she’d heard nothing from Ralph.
While her disappointment was acute, she wondered if dull, dreary days were better than being on tenterhooks with regard to the various threats that had hitherto beleaguered her: Cosmo’s uncertain temper, Lord Debenham’s villainy, Araminta’s escapades.
Maybe she should simply accept that attending to the demands of spoiled children was her lot in life.
Of course, such prosaic intentions flew out of the window when she received a parcel which, when opened in the privacy of her tiny bedchamber, revealed a very lovely gown that Araminta was apparently gifting to her.
“I have arranged an invitation for you to attend Lady Grenville’s ball tonight,” she’d written, “and as I realize you may have nothing suitable to wear, and I know how much you want to impress your Mr. Tunley, I wanted to show my appreciation with a new gown.”
Lissa thought it best not to wonder at her motivations. Araminta wanted something but, no doubt, she’d reveal all in good time. But, of course, Lissa could not keep from speculating. Probably, she thought with sinking heart, Araminta was seeking information about Lord Ludbridge now that she’d apparently transferred her interest to him after giving up on Lord Debenham.
Lissa put on the gown and twirled in front of the tiny looking glass in the nursery and the lovely gown of palest green flared about her ankles. She liked the fashions for figured work around the hems and the fact that skirts were fuller this year. The dainty puffed sleeves were tiny and trimmed with small embroidered leaves. What made it most unusual was the crimson sash embroidered with the same leaves.
To Lissa’s surprise, the dress was rather large about the middle, and seemed more Hetty’s size than Araminta’s—which perhaps was the reason Araminta was gifting it to Lissa.
“What are you doing?”
She swung round at the accusatory tone to find Miss Maria advancing through the gloom of the nursery, where the girls were quietly drawing, looking suspiciously at her. “Where did you get that dress?”
“It was...a gift.”
Miss Maria marched up to give it a closer inspection. Lissa saw the gleam of envy in her eye as she fingered the embroidery. “You should be attending to my sisters,” she said, grimly, as she straightened, “not twirling around as if you’re about to go to the next grand ball.” Immediately she brightened, smiling as if she expected Lissa to share in her excitement. “You’ll never guess, Miss Hazlett, but I have been invited to attend Lady Grenville’s soiree tonight. Yes, imagine it! A proper invitation has been delivered for me, Miss Maria Lamont, to attend Lady Grenville’s soiree, and I shall be accompanied by Cosmo.”
Lissa, standing on a bare piece of wooden floor in the center of the room, saw the two little girls raise their heads at their sister’s lofty tone while her spirits plummeted. Ralph, it appeared, would also be attending the ball, and Araminta had arranged for Lissa to go. But how was that possible, now?
Tentatively she said, “I’ve also received an invitation. And this new dress.”
“What are you about, Miss Hazlett?”
Lissa turned as Mrs. Lamont arrived in the schoolroom, wheezing after her battle with the stairs. “You’re wearing Miss Maria’s new gown. How can you imagine you’ll deport yourself at the same entertainment tonight as the young lady of the household? That dress was delivered to this house, meaning it was intended for my Maria.”
“No, it was a gift.” Lissa was on the point of producing the card that had accompanied it when she remembered its reference to her friendship with Ralph.
“I don’t think so, Miss Hazlett. And I suggest you remember your place. You will be looking after the girls, in the schoolroom, where you belong. Miss Maria has now been accepted into the ranks of the fashionable, and with her charming face and figure, she will make a fine match.”
She put a proprietorial arm about her daughter’s shoulders. “Indeed you will, my dear.”
Mrs. Lamont turned to Lissa. “Miss Hazlett, take off that dress immediately and change into something suitable for walking. I want you to take Harriet and Nellie for some fresh air as soon as you’re ready. Leave the gown on the bed for Maria to take back to her bedchamber.”
***
What could she do? Lissa wandered the pavements with a small girl’s hand in each of hers. Miss Maria was a usurper but Mrs. Lamont had complete power as her employer.
Of course, Lissa could not have imagined she could keep up this double life. She could not further her friendship with Ralph. Their love was doomed. She missed him greatly, and several days seemed such a long time. Perhaps she’d never see him again. She wondered what he was doing and if he’d be at the soiree tonight.
The little girls tugged at her hand. Lissa had
been requested to make it a quick walk as nursery tea was nearly upon them but the girls were keen to go into the park.
Why not? The longer she was away from the Lamont household the happier she’d be.
They were all crossing the road when she recognized Lord Debenham’s valet, Jem, limping toward her. After sending the girls ahead through the gates, she turned to greet him and was struck by the crooked twist to his once-perfect nose and the number of purple and yellow bruises, now fading, across his cheek.
“Good day to you, Miss Hazlett. You look well. What of your friend, Miss Partington? Me master, Lord Debenham—as you well know—were speakin’ of her only the uvver day.”
“Indeed?” Lissa glanced across to ensure the little girls were behaving themselves. They were sitting on the grass and playing with what looked like a fallen bird’s nest. She returned her attention to Jem. There was something meaningful in the way he couched his words.
