front of an open fire, emanated from his eyes. “Loath as I am to leave your side, I should probably go. Mrs. Essex has—”
“Randolph.” Angelica clutched his hand. “I know she is one of your most trusted servants, but I don’t feel comfortable in her presence. She unnerves me.”
“If it is her beauty you’re concerned with—” a quelling look silenced her protest “—you may rest assured that it has never had any effect on me. It would, however, be dishonest of me to deny an awareness of it.”
“As comforting as that is for me to hear, it is not her appearance that concerns me but rather an unpleasant feeling I get whenever I’m near her.”
“And you are certain it isn’t because you fear she might tempt me, because I promise you, Angelica, you have nothing to fear on that score. Mrs. Essex is a servant, a young and attractive one, I’ll grant you, but a servant nonetheless, and I am not the sort of man who would ever cross the line that exists between us. Even if I were interested, which I am not.”
In her heart, she knew this to be true and yet the woman still intimidated her. Could she possibly doubt her judgment, and him, on account of her own insecurities? Maybe. She certainly didn’t relish the idea of having a housekeeper who would forever outshine her. People would wonder, would they not, about her reason for keeping Mrs. Essex in her employ? They would ask, as she had done, if she was Randolph’s mistress.
“If I stay and we marry, would you consider letting me hire a new housekeeper?”
“And sack Mrs. Essex?” Incredulity colored his words.
“I realize I’m probably being silly, but she and I would have to interact a great deal on a daily basis, and I simply cannot see myself doing so with a woman I do not like.”
“Angelica, she is a widow with no other means of support. If I were to let her go, do you honestly think she would find employment elsewhere when this is the only job she has ever had?”
It was a rhetorical question of course, because any reasonable person would know that no other household would hire a housekeeper with Mrs. Essex’s looks. Her presence would forever pose a threat to the lady of the house, effectively deeming her unemployable.
“Please trust my judgment when I tell you that she is a fine housekeeper,” Randolph continued. He raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her skin. “And you have nothing to fear from her in the least. My devotion is to you.”
His declaration melted Angelica’s bones until she felt like a gooey mess. “Very well,” she agreed when she was able to find her voice.
A smile spread across his face. “Get up and get dressed. I have a surprise waiting for you downstairs.” He stood, crossed to the connecting door, and gave it a rap. Rose entered with enough of a delay to assure Angelica that her mother had not been listening in on their conversation. “Tonight we shall dance,” he told Angelica, “and then there will be no doubt as to whom I have chosen.”
Chapter 6
Music floated through the air, mixing with the dazzling glow from two magnificent crystal chandeliers. Gems—hanging from earlobes, dripping from wrists, and wound around necks—winked in response to the light. Feathers adorning fans and hairpieces alike bowed and swayed in time to a mutual rhythm. Never before had Angelica witnessed such opulence. Gowns cut in the latest styles and embellished with beadwork, ribbons, and gold thread embroidery shimmered in response to each movement made by the ladies who wore them.
And then there was Randolph. He was handsome on an ordinary day, but tonight? Dressed in all black evening attire, he’d stolen her breath when she’d seen him standing at the entrance to the ballroom. They hadn’t had time to exchange many words since he was the host and thus duty-bound to receive the rest of his guests as well. But flames had danced in his eyes as he’d watched her approach, and his lips had brushed her ear when he’d leaned in to tell her how stunning she looked.
With her mother by her side, she’d murmured her thanks before moving away, her ice blue skirts swishing across the floor as she went. She’d even managed to ignore Mrs. Essex’s challenging gaze as she’d passed her, allowing herself to focus solely on the enjoyment ahead. Today had offered no additional chills or