My One and Only Earl (Forever Yours #12) - Stacy Reid Page 0,8

with evident disdain. “Though I provide a roof over your head and food, clearly it is not enough.”

“Hire me?” Poppy asked, truly astonished.

Her stepmother’s lips flattened. “You will accompany your sister as her chaperone for the season. I will ensure you are compensated one hundred pounds for this duty.”

Poppy’s heart lurched. “One hundred pounds?”

“Yes.”

“No,” Poppy said and started to turn away.

“You ridiculous, ungrateful girl! That sum is what most governess’s make for the year! And that was the post you were silly enough to enquire after with no thought to the family’s reputation.”

Poppy stared at her stepmother, another ache rising in her throat, but she was firm when she replied, “I will take no less than six hundred pounds.”

Several gasps sounded, ranging from affronted to outrage.

“How outrageous you are,” Lavinia said, hurrying to stand beside her mother in support. “Rebecca is your sister! You should happily want to be her chaperone.”

“Mother is capable; why am I needed?” Poppy asked softly. Though she knew it well. They wanted to be free to enjoy the frivolities of the season. No one wanted to be watching Rebecca as she walked in the garden with a suitor, or danced with him, or sit nearby to ensure all the proper niceties and decorum were maintained until an offer was made and announced.

Her stepmother was still ravishing herself at two and forty and had her eye on a certain widower viscount. Her ambitions did not end with her daughter. Lavinia had gotten airs since she married her baron, and what elegant airs they were. Their father had been a country gentleman with little connection to the nobility. But the two daughters he had with his second wife had been blessed with great beauty. Lavinia had secured herself a baron without even having a season. They had met at a ball in the nearby small town’s assembly room, and only two weeks later, he had offered for her.

What a catch it had been and the talk of the village for weeks. Lavinia had taken to life in the haute monde with ease and grace. Her mannerisms had gotten loftier, her mode of dress vibrant and wealthy, as if she had been born with the golden spoon in her mouth. At one and twenty, she did not want to act as a matron or chaperone to her younger sister. No, Lavinia would laugh and dance and dazzle with the best of them. In their eyes, only Poppy had no prospects, so her time was available for them to make demands. Well, not without compensation. She must plan for her future in whatever manner she deemed fit.

“The governess post offered by the Marquess of Lindstrom pays fifty pounds per month. A very generous compensation to assist in educating his three lovely children. If I am to refuse that post, the compensation must, of course, match.” Poppy hoped they would not realize she had not been offered the position. Nor did she have the confidence she would be the candidate selected.

“Ungrateful girl!” her stepmother cried, her lips pinching. “Very well, you will act as a chaperone and a paid companion for the season.”

Shock jerked through Poppy. She had not truly expected this outcome. Without her stepmother’s largesse, Poppy would not have a roof over her head. They could have twisted that truth to earn her compliance. She stared at them, realizing they truly did not want her seeking any sort of position until Rebecca was safely wed. It was only then she would be dispensable.

“You have decided on the gentleman Rebecca is to marry?”

“Not that it is any concern of yours,” Lavinia said with an air of satisfaction, “but we have.”

Rebecca brightened, and her blue eyes glittered. “Poppy, I shall think you a simpleton if you cannot guess who I am determined to marry. Why this season’s most eligible bachelor. He is young and so very handsome! Not to mention wealthy.”

“I am not current with the bachelors of society,” Poppy said drily.

Rebecca twirled, her expression taking on a dreamy cast. “I will only have the Earl of Kingsley!”

“There is a ball tonight,” Lavinia said. “I managed to secure us all invitations, and I was told the earl might be in attendance. His sister is a socialite, and he often accompanies her to balls and whatnot. Tonight will be Rebecca’s chance to meet him!”

Poppy stared at her sister. If anyone could land a handsome young gentleman with such a notable title, it would be Rebecca. She was extraordinarily beautiful with her