“How kind of you.” Netta gritted her teeth. Truly, the man was too much. If one could measure impudence, his would exceed that of anyone in England.
“Now, Auntie May, I have a project for Netta and I need her to appear as refined a lady as a princess.”
Lady Mary huffed. “With Princess Caroline as an example, no refinement is necessary. The daughter of a butcher could show more quality than her.”
John pursed his lips. “Fine. To appear as a gently born woman of tender years if you prefer. I’ve been training her but I’d like to start the testing process. That’s where you come in.”
“Am I to understand that she is not of the upper class?” she asked.
“That is correct.”
Netta bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. How easily he was fooled. That small victory was enough to take the sting out of being discussed as though she weren’t in the room.
“And what is it you’d have me do?” A servant entered carrying a tea tray, and Lady Mary pointed to the low table in front of her. She picked a sweetmeat from a bowl. “Take her about to teas and afternoon calls? Make sure she blends in?”
“Correct again. You are so wonderfully clever, Auntie May.”
The woman shot John a look. “If you wish to give her the appearance of propriety, then why, pray tell, would you send her about with me? You know I’m a square peg in the ton’s round hole.”
John smiled. “And that’s why I adore you. But while you might be seen as…eccentric, you still have the credentials our kind cares about. I can’t think of anyone more suited.”
Lady Mary poured cups of tea, handing one to Netta and John before taking her own. “My nephew’s wife refused you.”
“Marcus and Elizabeth are in Bath.” John at least had the grace to look abashed.
“And the wives of your other friends?”
“Why bother wondering about what might have been when I have succeeded in obtaining the use of your unparalleled services.” John rested his elbow on the armrest and propped his chin on his fist. “Do I have your services, Auntie May? It would be ever so helpful to me.”
“Of course.” She narrowed her eyes and smiled. “For another quarter point knocked off my interest rate. I want my club turning a profit in two-months’ time.”
“Done.” He sat forwards, resting his arms on his knees. “Where will be your first stop?”
“I don’t know.” Lady Mary frowned. “I’ve avoided making calls for a good two months now. My reappearance with a new companion on my arm will raise eyebrows. She is supposed to be acting as a lady’s companion?”
“I think I’ll make her the daughter of an old friend of mine. A young lady I selflessly agreed to show around London.” John ran his gaze up and down her body. “I won’t mind if she raises a few eyebrows. I want people to wonder about her. Just not for the wrong reasons.”
Netta stared back. So he wanted her to cause a minor stir. Why? He still hadn’t condescended to inform her of his plan. “Wha—"
“She’s a little old to be an innocent debutante.” Lady Mary pulled a small flask from her reticule and poured a splash of its contents into her tea.
Netta plucked up the sugar nippers and dropped three lumps into her own cup with a bit more force than necessary. Tea splashed onto the saucer. She was not yet four and twenty. She sniffed. Hardly on the shelf.
“She’ll be new and shiny.” John fluttered his hand through the air. “I want her to be a little mysterious, making people want more of her. Making men want more from her.”
Netta paused, the cup half way to her mouth. Proper, refined, retiring, alluring, and mysterious? That was a tall order, even for an actress as skilled as she. “I don’t—”
“She certainly has the attributes to catch the eye,” Lady Mary said.
Netta followed the woman’s glance down to her bosom. Her décolletage was rather striking, if she did say so herself. It made up for the softness of her stomach.
The older woman nodded. “I’ll do what I can, but most of the effort will be up to her.” Lady Mary turned in her chair to face Netta. “What do you think, child? Shall we make some trouble? What say I pick you up tomorrow afternoon?”
Netta raised her eyebrows. “Oh, I get to speak now?”
“When,” John drawled, “have you ever had an issue getting a word in edgewise?”
Only around John and Lady Mary. It was highly irritating. She could understand a little better now why her mother had chided her as a child to hold her tongue and let other people speak.
