Heiress in Red Silk (Duke's Heiress #2) - Madeline Hunter Page 0,12
I couldn’t borrow it no more, but I did enjoy it. Perhaps I will see if a bookseller has a copy of that book.”
Mr. Maitland locked the door and took his leave. Miss Jameson bent back her head and looked up the height of the house, giving Kevin a view of her very fine profile. The word “lovely” came to his mind. Her face was more elegant than pretty, more classic than sweet. As for Chase’s description of her being luscious, that mostly pertained to her form beneath the neck. Even in her pelisse he could see evidence of full breasts and a narrow waist. His imagination had spent too much time during the last day disrobing her to discover just how luscious she might be.
That would have to end immediately, unless he wanted to be an idiot while trying to lead her in the direction the enterprise needed to go. It had entered his mind that saddling him with Miss Jameson had been the duke’s idea of a fine joke. Uncle Frederick’s sense of humor had taken peculiar turns sometimes.
She turned to the carriage. “I think this will do.”
“It is very large.” The last thing he wanted was for her to let a house that cost so much she went looking for more money. That would only encourage her to sell her half of the enterprise.
“So you said. Three servants at least, you said. I like that it be the kind of house that a lady might live in, though.”
“Is it your intention to live like one?”
She allowed him to hand her into the carriage. “I think me intention might be to live like the heiress I be now. I will decide after I do me sums.”
* * *
That evening after dinner, Rosamund settled into the library with Minerva.
“The house sounds like just the thing,” Minerva said, continuing a conversation started at the table. “That street is quite fashionable.”
More fashionable than this one, her tone implied. Being gentry born, and married to the grandson of a duke, Minerva did not have much to prove. Her blood, and that of her husband, made her acceptable.
Rosamund had loved the house and was well on her way to reconciling the cost. She had pictured Charles coming to call, and being impressed by it. Instead of Kevin Radnor, she had imagined the man walking along with her was Charles, taking it all in and being glad that she was no longer the farmer’s daughter in service to his family, and whom his family denied him.
“Mr. Radnor thought it too big for me. I believe he was surprised I even considered that neighborhood. I suppose folk such as me don’t normally live there.”
Minerva leveled a gaze at her. “If such things matter to you, there are other places to live where you will be comfortable.”
Rosamund liked how frank Minerva always was. She heard her new friend’s warning. It is not for such as you, and some neighbors will pretend you are not there. If that will hurt you, then live elsewhere.
She wished she could be as frank in turn, and confide why she wanted that house, and why she would be asking Minerva for help in other things that were not for such as her. But she didn’t dare give voice to her secret dream, a dream she feared has no real possibility of coming true.
“If I be ignored, I won’t mind. Hopefully, when my sister comes of age to join me, she will be better accepted if I have been there a while.”
“When are you going to see her? I look forward to meeting her.”
“I intend to go north in a few days and bring her to the school you recommended. Perhaps during the next school holiday we can call on you here.”
Minerva had been so helpful already. She had learned about that school and even written Rosamund’s letter to the mistress who owned it so the spelling and manner of writing would be correct. Rosamund hesitated to request more aid, but she had nowhere else to turn.
“I would like to have some dresses sewn for Lily. I have her measurements and the garments do not need to be fancy. Might you recommend a dressmaker who can do good, practical clothing quickly?”
Minerva smiled mischievously. “I have been waiting impatiently for this question. Only I expected the wardrobe to be made for you, not your sister.”
Rosamund laughed. “I suppose I might order a few things for meself too.”