“O’ course I am, miss,” Eleanor said. “Now, up with you. We’ll get you dressed and presentable in a trice.”
Allowing Eleanor this moment to take charge, Mary shuffled from the bed and moved to sit at her dressing table. She glanced down at the carpet before the hearth as she walked past. Gabriel was gone; he must have awoken early, for his pillow was resting on the bed and there was no evidence of him being there.
Her heart lurched and she frowned, turning to gaze at herself in the mirror.
Drat. Shedidlook affright. Dark rings graced the underside of her red, puffy eyes and her hair was tossed about. Her freckles had all but faded long ago, but now, under the paleness of her complexion, Mary could swear that she saw a light dusting of them on the bridge of her nose.
Eleanor was right. Mary should not allow Gabriel’s rejection to have a complete monopoly over her emotions. Despite still having her virginity—no thanks to Gabe—shewasa grown and experienced woman. And Gabewasa cad.
She ought to close her heart from further amorous feelings, and hope that the love that she’d come to feel would dissipate, for she deserved so much better than the way he treated her. Her Mama—rest her soul—would be right. Gabewasn’tworth his salt.
Mary nodded at her reflection. Indeed. She would stop this misery nonsense, pull herself together, straighten her spine, and complete this assignment victoriously.
Eleanor brought a brush to Mary’s hair. “Your hair is a tangled mess, miss.”
“I’ve never taken to plaiting it while I sleep.”
“You’re certainly unique, if you don’t mind me sayin’, miss.”
Mary smiled. “I take that as a compliment, Eleanor.”
“I meant it as one.” The maid winked at Mary’s reflection, then clucked her tongue. “There is nothing for it, Miss White. We will have to apply powder to disguise the darkness around your eyes.”
“Yes, I had thought as much, Eleanor. And please, call me Mary.”
The maid smiled shyly, dipping her chin. Mary’s instincts told her that Eleanor was someone she could trust. The maid was afraid of her master, and unwilling to say anything too disparaging, but Mary understood what the girl was unwilling to reveal.
“You are quite vocal this morning,” Mary observed.
Eleanor’s expression closed as she bit her bottom lip in distress. “I am ever so sorry, Miss White, I didn’t mean—”
Mary raised a placating hand. “Oh! No, no, Eleanor! I did not mean for my words to be taken in such a way. Ilikethat you feel comfortable enough in my presence to speak freely.”
“You’re so kind, miss—er, Mary.” Her smile grew, exposing her uncommonly white teeth.
“There now,” Mary returned the smile. “I think we will be fast friends.”
“I should like that.” Eleanor finished untangling Mary’s long, auburn hair, then moved to the wardrobe to find a suitable dress.
Mary gazed at her reflection in the mirror and brought her chin up a notch. She was a spy. In the name of protecting King and Country, she would devote herself to her position.
From now until they delivered their recovered information to Hydra, Mary would be strictly professional.
She turned to look over her shoulder at the table. Excellent; Gabe had taken the documents. Now she must think of a way to give him an opportunity to make the exchange.
Should she make a scene? Faint at luncheon? She scrunched her face in thought.
Ah-ha!Oh, how plainly obvious.
Mary turned her back on her own reflection to face the petite, softly rounded maid. “Eleanor?”
She gazed at Mary from her position by the wardrobe. “Yes, miss?”
“Would you be so good as to prepare another of my costumes? I have a mind to put on another performance.”
The maid inclined her head. “I have one already prepared. I hung it in the wardrobe before you woke.”
Mary grinned at her. “You are so efficient, Eleanor. Thank you.”
