Startled, I opened my eyes. An elegant woman stood in front of me, clutching a fur wrap around her narrow shoulders. She looked familiar in some way. Where had I seen her? I swiped the dampness from my lashes. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
She narrowed her eyes and stepped closer, the lamplight highlighting her handsome features. “Have we met?” Her face cleared as realization dawned. “The Landcaster maid. You assisted me with my dress.”
I forced myself to smile politely and curtsey. The woman who had rudely pointed out the burn mark on my arm. “Yes. Of course.”
“Whatever are you doing out here?” She looked around, as if searching for a chaperone. “And without a wrap?”
“I’m fine. I just…” I glanced up the steps. No Gabe. Only unfamiliar faces coming and going. He hadn’t run after me. He didn’t care. “I made a mistake…”
She sighed. Somehow, in some way, this woman understood. Ashamed, I dropped my attention to the snow that was soaking through my slippered feet, numbing my toes. She’d seemed so arrogant at the Landcaster ball, but she seemed only sympathetic now.
“Yes, we all make those. Unfortunately, for women, they can be disastrous. Society is so unforgiving toward the female species.”
I’d never felt so stupid, so weak. How could I have been so happy only this morning? A stiff wind raced down the lane, sending my skirts dancing. I crossed my arms, trying to gather as much warmth as I could. I’d freeze before I’d make it to shelter.
“Come along,” she demanded. “If you don’t mind hard work, I’m sure I have room for another maid in my household.”
I jerked my gaze to her elegant face, hope blooming. “Are you serious, my lady? Truly?”
“Of course. Why would I jest about something like that?” She moved toward a carriage that was waiting along the side of the road. “I was just leaving. Much too crowded for my liking. And here I was going to decline tonight’s invitation. How fortunate I didn’t…for both of us.”
Her footman opened the door. I hesitated, confused and uncertain. Yes, I would be a servant once more, but it was so much better than the alternative. Perhaps one day Violet and I might be able to work in the same home again.
The woman paused at the carriage door. “Well, are you coming?”
I looked one more time to the front stoop. No Gabe. I had nowhere to go. I had no other choice. Luck was on my side, and I would be stupid to ignore the offering. I’d made the mistake of putting my life in his hands once, I wouldn’t again.
From now on, I made my own decisions.
Determined, I faced the woman and gave a curt nod. “Yes, my lady. I would appreciate your help.”
She smiled. “Good. I was hoping you’d say that.”
Volume Two
Chapter One
Gabriel
“I’ve noticed, my dear brother, a distinct preference for women with dark hair lately.”
The familiar voice set my teeth on edge. Christopher settled in the chair placed across the scarred table, just as I’d pulled a buxom wench onto my lap. What the hell was he doing here?
His amused gaze traveled the taproom, taking in everything from the dirty floorboards to the unsavory men crowded around the bar and few tables. “When you’ve always preferred blondes.”
I wrapped my arm around the woman’s cinched waist, holding her close. “Variety is the key to life. I was getting tired of the same pale, English maidens. And what the fuck are you doing here?”
“Tsk, tsk.” Christopher shook his head as he slouched back into his chair. “Our parents would not approve of your sport, nor your language.”
I took a deep drink of cheap ale as the woman cuddled into me. Tessie was anxious to head upstairs. It was part of the reason why I liked her, she actually enjoyed fucking. There was no maidenly modesty, no fumbling inexperience.
My attraction to her had nothing to do with the fact that her dark hair reminded me of someone else. Nothing to do with the fact that her luscious body called to me. Nothing to do…
Hell. Maybe Christopher was right.
Fuck.
She reminded me of Ginny.
Thunder rumbled, shaking the windows. It was a miserable autumn day to be outside, so why had he followed me? The pub was crowded with men trying to stay dry; some were indifferent to the presence of two lords, others watched us warily. “Exactly, they wouldn’t approve. Which makes it all the more worth doing.”