to my senses, I handed the baby to Violet and stood. “My ladies,” I curtsied. “What can I do for you?”
The blonde woman’s gaze slid immediately to Violet. “Why Violet, whatever are you doing here?”
“My lady,” Vi whispered, stumbling to her feet. “I meant no offense. Tis merely that Ginny and I are friends. It’s my day off and…”
“Don’t be silly, child,” she said, even though she couldn’t have been but a few years older. “What you do on your time off is no concern of mine. Granted, as long as it’s nothing criminal. I do have a bit of a reputation left to protect.”
Violet flushed. “Of course not, Lady Alice.”
Lady Alice? So, this was the woman who had hired Violet. Despite the fact that she had the aura of a Queen looking down on lesser men, I liked her already. I knew, without doubt, that Violet would be protected in this woman’s home.
The other woman watched it all with thinly veiled amusement. She was pretty, with her dark hair and blue eyes. But it was the slight bump to her belly that drew my discreet attention. She was with child. We were both mothers, or soon to be, we had the same coloring, yet might as well have lived on different islands, for all we had in common. While she was all English refinement, I was obviously from common stock.
“We are here to be measured, and perhaps buy a dress or two,” Lady Alice explained, as she tugged off her gloves. “We have it on good authority that you’re the place we want to be for the newest fashion samples. Something about the queen’s cousin.”
I swallowed my groan.
Lady Lamier would clap with glee. Whoever had started the rumor, had done wonders for business. And with each new arrival, my worry grew. Sooner, rather than later, I would be recognized. “Of course.”
“My lady, if you’ll excuse me.” Violet took my child and raced toward the back.
“You are too horrible, Alice,” the other woman murmured, finally speaking. “Scaring the poor girl like that.”
Their banter was quick and witty. They were obviously friends.
“I just couldn’t help myself. It’s so bloody easy. Violet is too innocent.” Lady Alice’s keen eyes were on me. “But not you. You have the look about you that says you don’t scare easily.”
I flushed. Violet had said the woman was smart. “No, my lady.”
Their wealth and privilege shone like a beacon. It shone in the confidence with which they held themselves, as if they knew they could buy their way out of any situation. I envied them, but I didn’t begrudge them. How could I? Lady Alice had saved Violet, after all.
“Hmm.” Lady Alice studied my features as if trying to read my past. “Let me see your books and your samples.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Before I could flee, Miss Lamier appeared, flushed and excited with thoughts of a sale. “I’m honored, Lady Alice, Lady Whitfield. What can I do for you?”
I might not have known them, but Miss Lamier did. And if Miss Lamier knew them, they were important. While Miss Lamier escorted Lady Alice to the settee and the samples, I felt Lady Whitfield’s attention on me.
“Do I know you?” the woman with the dark hair asked. “Sorry. I’m Lady Whitfield.”
She held out her hand, surprising me.
Gingerly, I took her gloved fingers and shook. “How do you do?”
She tilted her head to the side. “You seem oddly familiar. Have we met?”
The heated blush I’d been trying to control shot to my face. Lord, would I forever be remembered as the Landcaster maid? Or worse, Gabe’s whore? “I don’t believe so, my lady.”
“I see.” But she didn’t seem to believe me. While Lady Alice and Miss Lamier spoke about silks, she continued to stare at me. “Where is your family from?”
I flushed. “I don’t know, my lady. My parents died while I was still a babe. My aunt raised me. She was German.”
She looked confused. “You’re German then?”
“No, my Lady. She was actually just a family friend.”
Her perfectly arched brows drew together. “I see. No siblings?”
I hesitated. What was she getting at? “No, my lady.”
“Hmm.”
“Jules, do help me pick one of these silks.”
The woman tore her gaze from me and smiled at her friend. “Of course.”
It was only as she moved away, leaving me confused and a little anxious, that I found the tightness in my chest eased. Why was it that I felt I was forever being studied? As if everyone knew something about me that I didn’t?