Read Online Love for Lucinda by Gayle Buck - Free Book Online Page B

and her lodging are generally considered to be part of her salary?” asked Lucinda.
    “Of course, but that has nothing to do with this!” exclaimed Miss Blythe.
    “It has everything to do with it. I would be the most monstrous mistress alive if I did not provide the expected considerations of your position,” said Lucinda firmly.
    “Oh, my dear!” Miss Blythe had said, caught between laughter and tears. In the end, she had acquiesced because she had seen that there was nothing she could say that would persuade Lucinda from pouring such bounty upon her person. Therefore she had shrugged and allowed herself to accept without guilt all the benefits of her new station in life. Very much the realist, Miss Blythe knew that there would inevitably come a day when this fantastic turn in her existence would be done. Then she would recall it all as a pleasant memory. She might as well live it to the hilt while she may.
    Something of this running through her mind, Miss Blythe went to her jewel box and took out the pearl drops and strand of pearls that she had treasured through the years, but had never had an opportunity to wear. A governess did not adorn herself or otherwise bring attention to her person. But tonight she was not a governess. Miss Blythe fixed the drops in her ears and clasped the pearls about her throat, her fingers a little clumsy from their trembling.
    Lucinda had lent a maid to Miss Blythe as her dresser. Now the woman persuaded Miss Blythe to be allowed to arrange her hair. The result was a less restrained style that softened Miss Blythe’s features and, to her astonishment, caused her to appear ten years younger. “I scarcely recognize myself,” she murmured, made uncertain by the incredible change wrought in her appearance this night.
    “You look a proper treat, ma’am,” said the maid admiringly.
    Miss Blythe drew herself up in front of the cheval glass. A smile touched her lips. “Thank you.” Taking up a cloak and folding it over her arm, she returned downstairs, holding herself proudly.
    When Miss Blythe entered the drawing room, Lucinda was already before her. “Forgive me, Lucinda. I did not mean to keep you waiting.”
    Lucinda turned and instantly applauded her companion’s appearance. “Oh, Tibby! You look positively magnificent. It becomes you so very well.”
    Miss Blythe flushed slightly. “You are too kind, Lucinda. But I can scarcely hold a candle to you.”
    Lucinda glanced almost indifferently into the gilt mirror above the mantel. She was wearing a sea green gown with an overskirt of silver gauze. Diamonds glinted at her ears and collared her throat. Her hair was arranged in a cascade of dark curls that enhanced the brilliancy of her eyes. “I am well enough.”
    “My dear!” Miss Blythe was astounded at Lucinda’s lack of vanity. “You are lovelier even than you were as a girl. You have gained a maturity, a presence, an air that is unmistakable. I would not be at all surprised if every gentleman in the theater does not stare in admiration.”
    “What pleasant rot you speak, Tibby,” said Lucinda easily. “When I know very well that it will be the two of us appearing together that will stop hearts and stir up comment.”
    “Now it is you who is speaking rot,” said Miss Blythe. She allowed a footman to place her cloak about her shoulders. Her gray eyes sparkled behind her spectacles. “I feel every bit the same trepidation that I did as a young girl when I was to go to my first party. It is quite a treat to be able to attend the theater.”
    Lucinda hugged her companion. “My dearest Tibby. You shall go to the theater as often as you wish and attend as many parties as you can possibly bear!”
    Lucinda and Miss Blythe left the town house and stepped up into Lucinda’s private carriage to travel to the theater. Their destination was not a great distance from Mays House, but nevertheless the ride took several minutes due to the traffic. The streets were crowded with