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Sarah jumped up guiltily from her seat and swiped at her tears. “I know these rooms are off-limits, but I needed a moment to myself.”
“I understand.”
“Thank you,” Sarah replied, lowering her gaze.
Daphne moved closer. “May I ask why you are so upset?”
“It’s nothing.”
“It doesn’t appear to be nothing.”
Sarah sighed as she dropped down on the settee. “Mr. Amesbury just informed me that there could be no future between us.”
“I am pleased to see that my cousin was forthright and honest with you.”
“He said that Lady Frances forbid our relationship, and he had no choice but to end things with me.”
“He said that?” Why was Daphne not surprised that her cousin had avoided taking responsibility for his actions?
“Yes, and it pained him greatly to tell me.” Sarah gave her a sad look. “Why does Lady Frances not wish us to be happy?”
“I’m afraid it is much more complicated than that.” Daphne came to sit down next to her. “I fear that a great disservice has been done to you,” she said. “Did no one warn you about my cousin’s reputation?”
“Mrs. Wynn did, but Mr. Amesbury informed me that it was all a misunderstanding.”
“In what way?”
“Mr. Amesbury told me that he only pretends to act like a rake to keep the pesky matchmaking mothers and their daughters away from him.”
“I see,” she murmured, “and you believe him?”
Sarah bobbed her head. “Once he explained that to me, I realized that he was just misunderstood by the other servants.”
Daphne stared at the young maid in disbelief. She couldn’t believe that she was so gullible and had fallen for her cousin’s lies so easily.
Sarah continued. “I think I quite possibly might be in love with Mr. Amesbury.”
“That is impossible!” Daphne exclaimed. “You hardly know the man.”
“I know enough,” Sarah replied. “I know how it feels when he holds my hand or sneaks a kiss in the closet.”
“Love takes time to cultivate. You can’t force it.”
Sarah looked at her with wide eyes. “Have you ever looked at someone before and realized that your life was about to change for the better?”
An image of Mr. Stewart came to her mind. Where had that thought come from? “I am not sure if I have,” Daphne lied.
“That is the way I felt the first time I saw Mr. Amesbury, but I guess he didn’t feel the same way about me.”
“You are still young,” Daphne attempted.
“I know I couldn’t have been his wife, but I would have been happy as his mistress.”
“That was never going to happen,” Daphne said, shifting in her seat. “You must know that.”
“But he originally promised—”
Daphne spoke over her. “My cousin is a renowned rake, and I’m afraid he deceived you.”
