“Thank you, Dudley. As you can imagine, I am happy to be here.”
It was a lie, and they both knew it. Dudley and a few of the other staff had been there for Bram when his family were not. He’d eaten in the kitchens, played cards, and learned a great deal at the hands of this man.
“I shall announce you, sir.”
“No need. Let’s surprise them all. And I shall visit with you later and tell you of my travels, Dudley.”
“I received the slippers, sir.” Dudley smiled. “Thank you for the kind gift.”
“Did you? Well, I hoped they would fit. They were from Nepal. I must thank you also for helping Mungo to settle in.”
“He is a good man, like his master.”
Bram wasn’t too sure about that, but he straightened his cuffs and pulled his shoulders back. The woman from last night entered his head as he walked in through the doors. Would she be here?
CHAPTER3
Being one of society’s least favorite members did not bother Ivy Birdwhistle. In fact, after that night years ago, she’d come to understand the fickle nature of the world she inhabited and faded into the background. Anonymity allowed her to avoid people. It allowed her to be almost invisible.
Her aunt and uncle had insisted on fulfilling her parents’ wish to give their only daughter a season. Four years ago she’d been bright-eyed and excited, but that excitement had soon tarnished when she realized no one wanted to spend time with a young woman who had a forthright nature, homely looks, and a small dowry supplied by her uncle. Then someone had noticed her, and the attention had not been welcome, especially as it had been insincere.
Her attempts to secure a match had been so unsuccessful after a second season, she’d made herself ill at the prospect of returning, and her aunt and uncle had let her stay in the country to recover. She was now back, but only to support her cousin. Afterward, she would be making her case to stay in Sussex with her cousins at her uncle’s estate while her aunt, uncle, and Thea returned to London society.
Ivy was sure Thea would secure a match this season. She was, after all, beautiful, funny, and intelligent.
“Smile,” Thea hissed out the side of her mouth. Enthusiastic and as yet untainted by life, her cousin greeted every new day with a smile. Ivy often wanted to slap her. What she actually did was try to instill her with the knowledge that people may look nice, but often weren’t.
Thus far she had not succeeded. Her cousin was determined to paint everyone in a rose-colored light. It was extremely vexing.
“Smiling takes as many muscles as frowning, Ivy. You should try it.”
“What should I smile about, Thea?” Ivy whispered back after swallowing her mouthful of ham. “And it is rude to talk while eating.”
“You’re no longer eating. And we must celebrate attending my first house party. You will enjoy it if you allow yourself. Besides, you are not eating those eggs, you are pushing them around your plate.”
“I am eating them, and the ham, which is delicious. I’m just making sure I do not shovel the food in like you.” Her one and only prior house party had been horrible. It was with great reluctance that she was attending another one. But her aunt had insisted that she come to support Thea. As she owed them so much, she had acquiesced.
Thea made a pffting noise, dismissing Ivy’s words for the lie they were.
“Why do you not allow Jenny to do something other than that unflattering bun with your hair?”
“I am not here to make a match or be seen. I am here to support you. My bun will do.”
Orphaned at a young age, Ivy had been raised by her aunt Beatrice and uncle John. She had four cousins. Three loud and boisterous boys, and the eldest child, Dorothea, who was four years younger than Ivy.
Ivy had begged her aunt and uncle to let her stay with the boys at their country estate. At twenty-four, she was firmly on her way to being on the shelf, after all.
Her aunt and uncle had promised to discuss the matter of her retiring from society when the house party was over.
Finally, after years of torture and no offers for her hand, she would no longer have to suffer the humiliation of the season. Ivy could not wait. She would spend time with her cousins. Ride, compete with them at archery, and read as much as she wanted. Bliss.
“Ivy.”
“Thea.”
“I know your father left you some money and that you insist on paying for your clothes with it.”
“It is the least I can do after your parents have provided everything else for me and your father refuses to use it for my care.”
