“Your mother could see to her,” Pickmore suggested.
Why the blazes were these two being so difficult? “Where is the fun in that?” Henry sipped from his coffee. “I’ll tell you what. If Miss Doyle doesn’t take, then I’ll turn her over to my mother to do with what she wishes. I daresay, Mother will enjoy having a female to parade around during the Season.”
“You really should hand the girl over now,” Mrs. Peade insisted.
“One month, Mrs. Peade. That is all I’m asking. If all does not go to plan, I shall acquiesce to your request.”
* * *
Eve woke to a luxurious chamber of cream and gold and in a bed as soft as a cloud. Above her, the most delicate lace canopy she’d ever seen. Was this really where she was to live for the next two years? It was almost too good to be true.
Itwastoo good to be true and she must determine what game Kilsyth played.
Kilsyth was a very strange gentleman and she’d never met anyone like him. He was very much to the point and didn’t bother to coat any of his words with pleasantness. Perhaps now she understood why he’d been described as a tedious bore, though that was not how she’d describe him. Autocratic was far more fitting.
After a quick knock and before Eve could respond, her chamber door slowly opened and a young maid, dressed in black, white apron and mop cap stepped inside. “Good morning, Miss Doyle.”
“Good morning.”
Following the maid was another who carried a silver tray and tea service.
“You are to enjoy your chocolate then dress for the day before breaking your fast and then join Lord Kilsyth in the library.”
Eve sat up and the maid hurried forward to plump her pillows as the other maid poured chocolate into a cup. Eve’s mouth watered. She couldn’t remember the last time she had enjoyed any chocolate.
“I have no clothing, save the shift I’m now wearing. All that I own was taken from me yesterday.”
Mrs. Peade had taken every single item Eve had brought with her, save the bag that had held her clothing. Even the shift she now wore had been borrowed. After she’d been shown to these grand chambers, Eve had been stripped as a deep tub was filled, then maids scrubbed her from head to toe, even though Eve was quite capable of bathing herself. Then she’d been wrapped in a large towel and set before a fire as the tangles were combed from her hair. Once it was sufficiently dry, the borrowed shift was provided and then she was measured by a Mrs. Halford.
Eve had then been served another meal and given books to read so that she could pass the time. Of course, those lay untouched as her new spectacles hadn’t arrived until the afternoon and she’d dressed in the uniform of one of the maids so that Mr. Carter could see to the perfect pair that Eve needed to read. The remainder of the day was a complete blur because Eve had dozed off shortly after, her eyes too heavy to follow the words on the page. She’d been woken for supper, also served in her room, then she had slept again. Apparently, all through the night since Eve remembered nothing more.
Oh, it did feel good to have gotten decent rest, at the same time as most people were supposed to sleep, instead of during the day when everyone was awake. However, even though she’d been measured yesterday, it wasn’t possible even the simplest of day dresses was ready to be worn.
“Mrs. Halford has already delivered two day gowns.”
Eve’s eyes popped open. “Already?”
“She keeps a number of simple dresses ready to be altered. More will arrive tomorrow and continue until you have all you need.”
How much did she need? Or, how much did Kilsyth believe she needed? Not that it mattered, but she was curious. Eve had become accustomed to having four wool dresses that she used to get by and would be quite happy with four new dresses, but seven, one for each day of the week, would make her quite happy indeed.
Yet, she mustn’t become used to this. Eve needed to learn what Kilsyth wanted from her before she became too comfortable. And, she must get her necklace back. It wasn’t Brendan’s place to take it, then lose it. Hopefully Kilsyth still kept it in his desk and hadn’t move it anywhere else.
If she did find it was necessary to leave, she’d take the necklace and not even look for her brother. He’s the one who had gotten her into this mess—all messes since father died—and if she returned to her brother, who knew what Brendan might do next.
Once again, her door was opened, but this time without anyone knocking first. Not that she was doing anything she shouldn’t, but Eve hoped it wouldn’t always be like this. Was she not to be afforded any privacy in this home?
“Lord Kilsyth is anxious to begin,” Mrs. Peade announced.
“Miss Doyle has not broken her fast,” the first maid informed the housekeeper.
“It will be provided. Now get Miss Doyle prepared for the day and make certain that she’s presentable.”
“I can dress meself.” Eve got out of bed. “I’ve been seein’ to meself for quite some time and am adept at puttin’ meself together.”
“Nonsense,” Mrs. Peade dismissed. “Girls, get her dressed and her hair arranged and be quick about it. Lord Kilsyth does not like to be kept waiting.”
In the blink of an eye, the cup of chocolate was taken from Eve, her shift removed and replaced with a new one before a soft, lavender day dress was pulled over her head. Then she was set before a mirror as a maid brushed her hair and then arranged it simply as someone rolled stockings and slid her feet into slippers.
