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Authors: May Burnett
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for things or whether I can turn my skirts yet again,” Mattie admitted. “Being employed as a companion is a new departure, however, and it will take some time to get used to it. You will have to explain what my duties are to be and be patient if I don’t act exactly as you want me to at first.”
“If I had merely wanted an employee,” Amanda said, “I would not have applied to a relative. In brief, you are here to bear me company and give me countenance.”
“For the latter, you could have found someone of higher birth—an impoverished noblewoman who knows the ways of the aristocracy. I am afraid I won’t be able to do justice to these extravagant surroundings.”
“From my limited acquaintance with the nobility, I am not sure I want to surround myself with its members—apart from my husband, of course, when he returns,” Amanda added conscientiously. “They have rather strange ideas. Since I am mistress here, I prefer to follow my own wishes and notions. Your role is to advise and support me. You may speak as frankly as you like, but preferably not where the servants can overhear an argument.” As Mattie still looked doubtful, she asked, “Have you heard anything from the family regarding the circumstances of my marriage, Mattie?”
Mattie shook her head. “Not a word. Until your letter arrived, I had no idea you were married at all. I was aware that Lord Rackington owns an estate near your family home and that your father has known him since childhood, but I was flabbergasted to learn that you were married to him. I would, of course, have sent my best wishes, had anybody thought to apprise me of the fact when it happened.” Unsurprisingly, Mattie sounded a little miffed about being kept in the dark.
“Hmm.” Amanda toyed with her wedding ring, thinking fast. How much to tell her cousin? Did she really know her as well as she had thought? It was always possible to tell more later, while an unwise confidence could never be unspoken.
“The marriage happened so quickly that I hardly had time myself to catch my breath,” she said. “I won’t go into the details now. I am with child, Mattie, and count on your support until this unfortunate period comes to its end—an event I am already fervently anticipating.”
Mattie stared at her, mouth open, for two long seconds before she caught herself and closed it again. Amanda could almost see the thoughts and suspicions racing behind her serene brow.
“Already! I suppose, with a young healthy woman like you, it is not so surprising. But, if Lord Rackington knows you are with child, why is he gone away? When is he coming back? It seems rather selfish to me to leave you all alone.” She lowered her voice. “He does know about the babe?”
“Yes, he knows, and you are unjust,” Amanda defended Lucian. “He is not selfish at all and has been most generous to me. His journey was necessary, and I, myself, urged him not to postpone it.” She would have liked to explain about his mission but remembered in time that her husband had enjoined discretion upon her.
“Come to my rooms, Mattie, where we can be more private and comfortable. I shall order tea and refreshments. You cannot know how glad I am to have company. Dining all alone is not what I can like, and though once or twice a week I dine with neighbours, it is not enough when one has always been part of a lively family.”
“I can imagine. You must miss Eve; I know how close you have always been.”
Amanda nodded; she would not speak of her beloved sister, or she might be overcome with bitterness at the memory of how her mother had rejected her. The mere recollection still drove angry tears into her eyes. She was eagerly awaiting a letter from Eve in return to the one she had sent her from London.
“I need to change,” Mattie said apologetically.
“Of course, and rest a while, you will still be fatigued from the long journey. Come to my sitting room at five for tea and a longer
“If I had merely wanted an employee,” Amanda said, “I would not have applied to a relative. In brief, you are here to bear me company and give me countenance.”
“For the latter, you could have found someone of higher birth—an impoverished noblewoman who knows the ways of the aristocracy. I am afraid I won’t be able to do justice to these extravagant surroundings.”
“From my limited acquaintance with the nobility, I am not sure I want to surround myself with its members—apart from my husband, of course, when he returns,” Amanda added conscientiously. “They have rather strange ideas. Since I am mistress here, I prefer to follow my own wishes and notions. Your role is to advise and support me. You may speak as frankly as you like, but preferably not where the servants can overhear an argument.” As Mattie still looked doubtful, she asked, “Have you heard anything from the family regarding the circumstances of my marriage, Mattie?”
Mattie shook her head. “Not a word. Until your letter arrived, I had no idea you were married at all. I was aware that Lord Rackington owns an estate near your family home and that your father has known him since childhood, but I was flabbergasted to learn that you were married to him. I would, of course, have sent my best wishes, had anybody thought to apprise me of the fact when it happened.” Unsurprisingly, Mattie sounded a little miffed about being kept in the dark.
“Hmm.” Amanda toyed with her wedding ring, thinking fast. How much to tell her cousin? Did she really know her as well as she had thought? It was always possible to tell more later, while an unwise confidence could never be unspoken.
“The marriage happened so quickly that I hardly had time myself to catch my breath,” she said. “I won’t go into the details now. I am with child, Mattie, and count on your support until this unfortunate period comes to its end—an event I am already fervently anticipating.”
Mattie stared at her, mouth open, for two long seconds before she caught herself and closed it again. Amanda could almost see the thoughts and suspicions racing behind her serene brow.
“Already! I suppose, with a young healthy woman like you, it is not so surprising. But, if Lord Rackington knows you are with child, why is he gone away? When is he coming back? It seems rather selfish to me to leave you all alone.” She lowered her voice. “He does know about the babe?”
“Yes, he knows, and you are unjust,” Amanda defended Lucian. “He is not selfish at all and has been most generous to me. His journey was necessary, and I, myself, urged him not to postpone it.” She would have liked to explain about his mission but remembered in time that her husband had enjoined discretion upon her.
“Come to my rooms, Mattie, where we can be more private and comfortable. I shall order tea and refreshments. You cannot know how glad I am to have company. Dining all alone is not what I can like, and though once or twice a week I dine with neighbours, it is not enough when one has always been part of a lively family.”
“I can imagine. You must miss Eve; I know how close you have always been.”
Amanda nodded; she would not speak of her beloved sister, or she might be overcome with bitterness at the memory of how her mother had rejected her. The mere recollection still drove angry tears into her eyes. She was eagerly awaiting a letter from Eve in return to the one she had sent her from London.
“I need to change,” Mattie said apologetically.
“Of course, and rest a while, you will still be fatigued from the long journey. Come to my sitting room at five for tea and a longer
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