“It is a pleasure to you meet you, Your Grace. Now if you will excuse me, not all of us have carriages to ferry us hither and yon,” the maid sounded like she was now choking on something, “or servants to carry out our every whim.”
Perhaps that was unnecessary, but Dimity was past caring. She had more important things on her mind than stroking the ego of a duchess she’d likely never see again.
“Good day.”
“Just one moment, if you please.” The cane barred her way.
“I wish to pass,” Dimity said politely.
“What is your occupation?” the duchess asked.
“I worked in a tavern full of sailors where I danced on the bar,” she snapped. “Now if you don’t mind, I need to find employment and a bed for the night!”
“A person who understands Roman mythology should not be working in a seedy tavern,” the woman said almost conversationally. “In fact, I doubt anyone should be forced to do such a demeaning thing unless it was their wish to do so.”
“I’m not sure why anyone would wish it.” Dimity went for honesty. “I’m sure if given the choice we’d all rather live in grand houses with soft bedsheets and plenty of food.”
“But you don’t,” the duchess said, her sharp eyes focused on Dimity.
Dimity snorted. “Does this look like it’s made of expensive material?” She held out her skirt. “Now, I have no wish to be insulting or rude, but I have no time for this conversation and little time to secure a place to sleep that is not in a cold and damp lane, so goodbye.”
“What else do you do?” The duchess placed a hand on Dimity’s shoulder and forced her back a few steps until her legs hit the seat. She then urged her down and settled beside her.
“Please do not handle me in such a way.”
“Answer the question, gal.”
“I play piano, read and write, and other useless things that will not secure me employment without a handful of references, all of which I did have, but now don’t as my brother threw them away.” She tried to rise again.
“Sit!”
“I bloody will not!” The anger felt good and held the sobs at bay.
“She’s gone and done it now,” the footman muttered.
“I’m not sure where we’ll bury the body,” the maid said.
Before the duchess could add anything to that, Romulus sank her teeth into Walter’s ear, making him bark. The little dog got a fright and ran. Walter decided he’d quite like to chase her and tugged on his necktie. Dimity’s grip had not been strong, and Walter pulled free and was soon in pursuit. In seconds, the two dogs had disappeared.
“Well, don’t just stand there, gal, go and retrieve my dog before yours eats it!”
“Your wish is my command,” Dimity muttered, taking off at a run. Nobility, she thought, were always issuing orders, which people like her were always obeying. Behind her, she heard the thud of feet and gathered the footman and maid had been dispatched also to find the dogs. Of course the duchess would stay seated under that tree enjoying the spectacle.
“Bloody nobility!”
Chapter Ten
“Why are you accompanying me, Nathan? I can assure you I can take care of myself, and do not need a bodyguard.”
“We know you can take care of yourself, Gabe. But you will allow us some worry, surely? Ombrage is a dangerous foe, brother.”
He grunted.
“But the real reason I came is to ensure you do not strangle Miss Brown.” His brother, the most short-tempered of the Devilles, sat across from Gabe. Legs crossed, foot swinging, calmness itself.
“You? The fiery Deville?”
“Lately I have taken great strides in character development. I am now able to stay calm when need be.”
