He’d been biding his time until he knew more, but now seemed the right time to infiltrate Leighhall’s household. “I plan to disguise myself as a servant and apply for a position. I have heard that the man hosts his own house party on the last weekend of every month after the Season ends. I’m quite curious as to who his hostess is. It may be his mother, but my instinct tells me it will be whomever he’s bedding at the time.”
Lissa’s brown eyes seemed to lighten with her excitement. “That’s an excellent idea. But what will your disguise be? You know servants gossip, so it will have to be a disguise that is not easily removed. Also, you will want to get into the house, so a common laborer, which would be fairly simple for you, won’t help.”
It was a true pleasure to strategize with someone who had similar experience. “I’d thought to pose as a footman or butcher.”
She raised her brows, a small smile playing about her lips. “A butcher? And what do you know about butchering? I mean besides cutting off the head of my dear Rosalie.”
He chuckled at the memory of Lissa showing him what to do to dress a chicken for cooking. “As a matter of fact, I have had more training since then in the butchering of cattle, so I should be able to handle a lamb, goat, or whatever else might be required. First, I will go to the village of Melton, where his estate is located, and get a feel for what it is like working for him and what he expects so that I am not turned away. If I can find out what the man wants—or rather what his butler wants—in a footman, I can speak to that upon applying.”
“That’s an excellent idea. When do you propose to go?”
“Two days hence. It is but a half-day’s ride on an inferior mount, which will leave me half a day to discover what I need.”
She set her hand on his arm. “That is a sound plan. I will be ready and will meet you here at this time in the morning.”
Surprised, he stepped away, taking his arm from her hold. “What? You cannot come. What would the duchess say? You must remember, I owe her my very life.”
Lissa waved off his concerns. “Her Grace will never know. I will simply have a migraine, something I claim at least once a month to take a break from the monotony.”
“But…” He stopped himself from continuing, as all his objections were centered upon her being a lady. He switched tactics. “How will you disguise yourself?” He gestured toward her clothing. “This will not work anymore now that your hair is long.”
She grinned, clearly pleased with herself. “Do not worry,mon ami. Like you, I have other forms of dress, and for such an outing, I do believe a village lass who has experience as a maid will do quite well.” She dropped her grin and cocked her head. “After all, women are more likely to gossip than men when it comes to an employer,non?”
She had a strong point. He had no doubt she could garner far more information as a maid than he could as a footman or butcher. He searched for another reason she shouldn’t go, but again, they all came back to her status as an unmarried lady. “Are you sure the duchess won’t discover you’ve left?”
“I’m absolutely sure. I’ve done so before with no one the wiser.”
It was on his mind to ask her about the other times, but he decided he’d rather remain ignorant. That she was resourceful, he was well aware, and he’d just have to trust her abilities. His unease was no doubt caused by the fact that this was England in peaceful times, not France during a war. There were different rules that governed society. Then again, her social aspirationswere not particularly high, so everything considered, the risk was low. He just didn’t wish to incur the duchess’s wrath.
He finally nodded and held out his arm. “Two days hence I will see you here, and we shall endeavor to learn more about the Viscount Leighhall’s preferences in staff.”
She grasped his wrist. “Agreed.” He grasped hers in return, then, releasing him, she turned, mounted her horse, and raised her arm. “To our success.” She didn’t wait for a response, but spun her horse about and headed back from whence she came.
He stood there long after she’d gone, after the sound of her horse’s hooves no longer echoed in the wood, even after the birdsong returned. He had an unsettling feeling, not about his mission, but about Lissa. That worried him, only because he cared for her wellbeing. England was not her home, but any home she had back in France was gone. If she didn’t care so much for her grandmother, he would refuse her help, as much as he needed it. He just hoped that the honorable woman he’d known in France held sway over the young woman who craved the exhilaration of challenges.
Finally, he mounted up and headed down the path toward Ravenridge. Despite his misgivings, he couldn’t ignore the anticipation in the pit of his stomach at the thought of riding to Melton with Lissa and discovering all they could to be hired by Leighhall. It felt good to have her by his side once again, if only for a short while. He hadn’t realized exactly how much he had missed her or how much she could add to his success.
As his horse stepped out into the morning sunshine, he set her to a gallop, his spirits rising as he planned for the coming trip.
Chapter Six
Lissa carried herbasket with the newly purchased loaf of bread as she wove in between the crowd of people. It was market day, and the farmers and bakers filled the town square of Melton. Though the maid’s dress itched a bit beneath her arms, it fit fairly well and concealed her daggers nicely, especially with the half sleeves that weren’t too tight. She still glowed with pleasure at Anthony’s approval over her brown-and-white maid’s gown, beige bonnet, and red cloak.
Noticing a bench outside a confectioner’s shop, she headed that way, hoping to find a servant about as ladies enjoyed a sweet. Just as she reached the shop, another woman plunked down on the seat of the bench. She stopped in her tracks.
“Oh, did you wish to sit? I can make room.” The young woman, who appeared at least six or seven years younger than her, wore an ivory work dress, white apron, and white bonnet that didn’t quite hide all of her dark hair. She moved to the side of the bench, pulling her own cloak to the side and leaving just enough room.
Lissa smiled warmly. This was exactly the type of person she needed to talk to. “Thank you.” She sat and set her basket on the ground next to her. “I’m Margret, but people call me Meg. I have been walking all over the market looking for soap. The weather is much warmer than I expected for November.”
“I be pleased to make your acquaintance. I’m Annie. Mum says we always get this heat just before a cold snap.”
“Your mum is a smart woman.”
Annie smiled with affection. “She is, and well I know it. She’s the housekeeper for Lord Emyn.
“Do you know if she needs any additional maids?”
Annie sighed as she shook her head, her expressive hazel gaze showing true regret. “Mum said with the Emyns traveling, what she has too much of is staff.”
