Nia jumped and, when she turned around, faced a young woman who seemed close to her own age. With gorgeous red hair knotted loosely on top of her head, green eyes, and ruby-red lips, she was stunning. Nia had never had reason to doubt her appearance, but beside this young woman, she felt pale and bland.
“You must be the new girl,” the woman said. “You’ll need to learn the rules quickly if you’re going to last. We just finished diction classes in the staff dining hall. I imagine Nell’s been looking for you, but it’s time to clean up.” Her gaze dropped to Nia’s gown. “Sorry to say, but that dress isn’t going to work at all.”
Nia glanced down, shocked into silence, and didn’t protest when the woman took her by the wrist and tugged her along the corridor and then down one of the staircases Nia and Jasper had climbed earlier.
Nia didn’t mind at all, because Jasper had left her alone for what felt like hours now. At least this way, she’d get to explore a little. Most likely, she’d never get the chance to visit a gentlemen’s club again.
“You work here?” Nia confirmed.
The young woman’s gray gown was serviceable, but she wore no apron. Nia hadn’t considered that ladies would be allowed to work at a gentlemen’s club, but she supposed there was work to be done, such as cleaning and cooking.
The lady nodded. “You already sound like a lady. No wonder you weren’t at the class. It took me weeks to say my h’s properly.”
“But you do work here?” Nia persisted. “And your employer provides education?”
“What else would I be doing here?” She pushed open a door to another corridor. “And he does! Since I came on, I’ve not only learned to read, but to know what I’m reading. We study philosophers, poets, and even a few scientists. My mother, rest her soul, wouldn’t believe it if she saw me now. I’m Stella, by the way.” She stopped abruptly and held out a hand.
Nia hesitated, confused for a moment before she realized she was expected to shake it. With a jerk, she resisted the urge to curtsy and instead grasped the other lady’s hand.
“I’m La—Nia. I’m Nia. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” The girl’s hand was not calloused and rough like some of the maids at her father’s house, but as soft as her own. And her nails were long and sharp and painted the same color as her lips.
“Is your work difficult?” Nia asked.
Stella pursed her lips before answering. “I thought it would be, at first. But we’re allowed to lie in, and the lessons keep our minds busy in the afternoons. The pay here is better than anywhere else, and I don’t have to worry about lodgings.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “Best of all, though, the duke protects his own. He doesn’t allow any funny business, if you know what I mean.”
Nia did not know what Stella meant but nodded anyway.
Learning about this sort of employment, however, Nia wondered if she might avoid going after Goldie and Lord Standish after all. As a servant at such a discreet establishment, her father would never find her, and from what she’d seen when they’d arrived at the back door, she would be safe working here, from her father but also from Dewberry.
She would never have to marry.
Ever.
“What are your chores? Aside from lying in and reading to expand your mind?” Nia had benefited from the efforts of manservants, maids, and cooks all her life, but she had little understanding as to how each of them went about their various tasks.
She’d been trained to manage a household, not perform the actual labor, such as cooking, cleaning, or laundry. She tapped a finger to her chin.
Because her knowledge, however, must be worth something. And if it wasn’t, she was willing to learn.
Furthermore, if they were expecting a new employee today, why couldn’t that be her?
Stella shrugged. “Mostly the usual. With some, it’s a chore, but I have a few regulars and sometimes I enjoy it. Nell, that’s our manager, she starts us off easy—especially if you don’t have any experience. If you want to specialize, you get paid extra. But not all of us are cracked up for the extreme stuff…”
“Extreme…?”
“You know.” Stella winked. “Handling the pricier… jewels. And the larger ones.”
“Ah.” She nodded. By jewels, Stella must mean valuable dishes and whatnot. Even at home, only Mr. Bulwark had been allowed to clean the silver. And Cook had been in charge of the pantry.
As they strolled along, they passed multiple doors. “You have your own chambers?” Nia asked.
“Usually. Sometimes we share.” She scrunched up her nose. “Not my thing, to be honest, but I’ll step in in a pinch.”
Stella’s gaze shifted over Nia’s shoulder, and her eyes flew wide. “Can I help you, my lord?”
A hand touched Nia’s elbow, and she held her breath. For half a second, terror swept through her. She’d been caught! But was it her father or one of his men?
Before panicking, however, she realized that the grip was gentle. The warmth from behind returned her heart to its normal rate. It was Lord Westcott. Jasper.
