When the door opened, he stepped to the ground and then was about to turn and offer a hand to Miss Smith when she gathered her skirts and jumped down to the ground on her own.When she would have walked on, he grasped her arm gently and threaded it through his.“One thing ladies never do is exit a vehicle without assistance.They allow a gentleman or servant to accompany them and seldom go anywhere on their own.”
She blinked her eyes in an innocent mien.“Hmm.I am beginning to wonder if the ladies in society have the capability to think on their own.”
Knox could feel his mouth yearning to twitch again.“Thinking from the fairer sex is highly discouraged.”
“Is it?”she murmured.“This is bound to be an exciting evening then.”
He allowed the sarcasm to pass as they entered the townhouse.He made the introductions to the staff who were all highly recommended by the agency.He thought it best not to use the same servants that his previous paramour had.It would not earn him any respect from Miss Smith if they became inclined to gossip about the previous tenant.
“Welcome, my lady,” the housekeeper said with a firm nod.
Miss Smith scrunched up her nose.“I am not?—”
“From this point forward, until I tell you otherwise, you are,” Knox interjected smoothly.He addressed the footman.“See that tea is brought to the front parlor.The lady and I have some things to discuss.”He allowed his focus to slide back to her.“And it might take some time.”
He could see that Miss Smith did not care for the insinuation in that statement, but she wisely kept her thoughts to herself until they were alone, at which time he expected a thorough tongue lashing.But he did not give her that chance.
The tea arrived in short order, as if waiting for just that command, and the doors to the parlor were closed.Before Miss Smith could utter a word, he sat down and waved a hand that she should do the same.“Pour the tea.”
She gave a huff.“Excuse me?”
“Pour.The.Tea,” he enunciated.
“Is there not a maid for that task?”she scolded.
He yearned to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration, or perhaps have a drink and pray for patience would be more apt.“Generally, but it is not out of order for ladies to engage in this task and I want to see if you can do it properly.”
She lifted a brow.She likely meant the action as a rebuke, but he found it rather charming.“It is not that difficult.”
She grabbed the handle of the pot in a firm grip and held on to the lid with her thumb.When she started to lift it, he laid his hand on top of hers.“Wrong.”
With a glare, she said, “Does it really matter how I pour tea so long as the job gets done?”
“It does if you are the hostess or given the distinction,” he said firmly.“Ladies are gentle and delicate.You are acting as though you wish to fling it across the room.”
“Right now…” she grumbled.
He ignored her and repositioned her hand on the handle.“Hold it easy, like this and then set your hand on the lid with your other hand.Gently tip the spout toward the cup but make sure that it does not clink together.That is in poor form.Also, ensure that your elbow does not fly out from your body.You are not a goose and do not need to appear to fly at your guest.Some prefer to add milk first and then their tea.You should always ask this, as it is considered considerate of your guests.”
“Shall I be doing that much entertaining?”she returned dryly.
He paused.“It depends on how long it takes to complete your mission.I have endured assignments that take a few days to several months.We must be prepared for any eventuality.Considering there is the very likelihood that there is a dangerous spy in our midst, surely focusing on how to pour tea is not so difficult a task if you want the Lion’s Watch to take you seriously as an agent.”
Finally, she seemed to understand his meaning.“Very well.”She sighed.“But if we are going to a ball tonight is tea the most important thing I should be worrying about?What of the quadrille?”
“You will not be dancing,” he countered.“But meandering about the room and doing your best to take in snippets of conversation that might be important.There are generally refreshments at hand, so you must know how to properly consume them if you want to be believed.At least you have proper speech and some decorum in your favor.But we shall endeavor to do a bit of practice in that regard as well.”He looked at her steadily, ensuring that she could read the certainty in his gaze.“Tonight is a test, Miss Smith.It is up to you whether you pass or fail.”
ChapterFour
If Astara thought spending hours shopping and then a lengthy explanation in proper behavior in society was bad, actually getting trussed up like a Christmas goose had to be the worst yet.As the stern-faced maid walked in and began to shove her in a set of tightly laced stays, she wondered if she might be able to breathe for the rest of the evening.“Are you quite… certain… this….is necessary?”
Her lungs jerked with each tug of the strings.She glared at the maid’s face in the mirror and wondered what happened to the idea of sweet, gentle maids that she heard performed perfectly well for other members of society.How was it she got paired with the most dour one of all?“You must have an elegant silhouette.It is expected of the fairer sex.”
Astara had never hated being a woman so much in her life.Her head was still smarting from the countless pins and vigorous brushing she’d sat through as her maid twisted her long, dark hair into an elegant chignon.She was honestly starting to wonder if going through this much torture was worth becoming an agent and using the resources she wanted to learn about her past.It was the one goal she’d always dreamed of fulfilling, but at the moment, she was considering the dedication of that quest.
Once she was shoved and pushed into the elegant gown, the maid turned her to face her reflection in the mirror.“See how the pale blue shade highlights your features?You have the complexion of a perfect, English lady.”
Astara gasped, but not from delight.She touched a gloved hand to her face.“I look pale.”
