“Agreed, and I don’t doubt he will return to that when he’s over his upset. But if I had not offered him help with his mother’s nurse and known Penelope besides, he likely would not have even heard your request. He is that discerning.”
Althea gaped. “You did that? I did not realize you helped him with the nurse in order to buy me time.”
“Eh, I would have done it anyway, you know that. ’Tis all in the presentation.” Beth grinned and winked.
Althea managed a small chuckle for the first time that night. “I did say I wanted to keep our relationship secret. He’d said he understood the risk to my reputation. But, tonight, he seemed hurt by that, as though he thought I was embarrassed by him.”
“He’s accustomed to all sorts of people falling all over themselves to attract his attention. I’ll bet poor Cheltie’s ego was a bit bruised.” Beth seemed to take satisfaction in that idea.
Althea certainly did. “So now what?”
“Now, we sleep. Tomorrow, we plot—I mean, plan.” Beth winked again.
****
Althea woke refreshed, surprised at how well she had slept. Rolling over, she considered her petite cousin. Beth might be wild, mayhap even a bit crazy, but she was the best friend Althea had never had, and she loved that girl. She just hoped they would not end up two spinsters together forever. Or worse, knowing her cousin, two spinsters with a baby or two, fathers unknown, and young virile male servants for Beth’s entertainment.
Her lips quirked. That scenario might be better than simply two spinsters, now she thought about it. If she got nothing else out of her—relationship? education?—with Evan, she had a new appreciation for the pleasures of the flesh. And mayhap a friendship with the Dowager Countess of Peterborough.
Lady Peterborough! Althea shot upright. She was supposed to visit her today. She wondered if, even now, the widow was calling for a bath to try the shampoo sample Althea had sent over with a summary of her business proposition.
Althea smiled. She’d bring Beth. From what Evan had told her, she suspected the women would do well together, even if one held herself in tight control and the other was a free spirit.
I should learn from Beth.Of course, she still needed to be circumspect in bed partners for her shop’s reputation. But in other things, she needed to relax and enjoy more and worry less. Damn Evan to hell, anyway. Even if he was justified in his concerns, that was no way to treat her, especially in the middle of a stranger’s home.
I don’t need him. With Charlotte’s help, I hope not to need any man. I was perfectly happy without him, and I shall be so again.
Althea ignored her inner voice that wanted to argue she had not been happy. She’d been getting by. Any happiness she’d had was because she was blissfully ignorant, but she could not return to that state.
She rang for a servant, requesting tea and toast for both her and her cousin, and crossed the hall to wake Beth and request her company to call on Lady Peterborough.
On their way, they had the coachman stop by the apothecary so Althea could run in and gather a small basket of gifts. A larger bottle of shampoo, a matching soap, scented oil for her bath, and a pretty pen and ink she had brought back from the Bath store to show the quality of product she was gaining through this partnership.
Standing in front of Lady Peterborough’s townhome, she realized it was barely midday, quite on the early side to call on acquaintances. Before she could debate returning at a later hour, a butler swung the door open.
“Oh! Hullo. Lady Althea Egerton and Miss Jenkins to see Lady Peterborough, please.”
“Ah, ladies. She is expecting you.” His eyes flicked to Beth and back, but he refrained from commenting whether Lady Peterborough was expecting one person or two.
“Thank you.” Althea followed Beth inside where the butler gestured them to wait while he announced them.
He reappeared with Charlotte right behind him. “Lady Althea! And who have we here?” She advanced, smiling, with her hands held out to them.
Althea met her hands and returned her finger press. She grinned back as she introduced Beth.
“Come in, come in. Austin, have someone bring tea and scones please.”
Beth bounced in happiness, and Althea slid her a sideways look.
“Try not to eat them all,” she muttered.
Checking that Charlotte was still facing away as they entered her parlor, Beth stuck her tongue out.
Althea rolled her eyes but could not stop smiling. She was determined that this day was going to be a good one, happy as well as productive. Evan be damned.
They sat, and Althea began, “Lady Peterborough, I—”
“Charlotte, please.”
