“Mr Sliger?”
The young man stood in the doorway, nodding hello.
A horrible thought seized Lindy.Perhaps I offended Mr Alwyn last night and he doesn’t mean to return.
“Haveyoucome to tend to my uncle?”
“No.” Sliger shook his boyish head, amused. “I’m only a first year. I’ve come to speak with you about another matter. May I?”
He indicated the settee.
“Of course.” Belinda was thankful that she, too, could sit back down. She wondered at the boy’s sudden solemnity as he rested his hat on his knee.
He did not keep her in anticipation for long. “I hope this will not seem too forward, Miss Everson, but do I recall correctly that you came to town with hopes of becoming a lady’s companion?”
“Yes, precisely that.”
“Well, I’ve become aware of such a position that must be filled.”
Oh dear, what a friendly complication!
“I thank you, Mr Sliger, but—”
“I assure you —” He raised a hand in appeal. “It would be a most pleasant appointment based on who the employer is. He meant to come and speak with you himself just last evening, but something must have interfered, and he has a very full day today, so I’ve come on his behalf.”
As realization took shape in Lindy’s mind, she gripped the armrests of her chair.
“Who is it who hopes to employ me?”
“Forgive my vagueness.” The boy grinned as if he were about to reveal a delightful surprise. “Mr Alwynbelieves you would be exceptionally well-suited to act as companion to his elderly aunt.”
Lindy felt the blood drain from her face as her mind careered to the finish line.
That is what he meant when he spoke of us spending the ‘future together’! It was not love for me that formed that phrase!
“Miss Everson? Have I spoken out of turn?” Cringing, Sliger began to crush his hat. “Pus and puke! I’ve made a muck of things,again!”
I must get a hold of myself,Belinda thought. With herculean effort, she said soothingly, “No, you haven't. When last I spoke to Mr Alwyn, he implied something of the sort, and I wondered what he might be getting at, so I thank you for the clarification.”
“He thought he oughtn’t talk to you about it until he had become a full-fledged doctor, but he said he feared losing you to another household, so I thought I would…” His voice faded as his fierce stare threatened to set the carpet on fire. “Well, when hedoesspeak to you about it—”
“You think he will?”
“I’d bet my soul! But I oughtn’t say another word.” Sliger rose from his seat. “Please forgive me, Miss Everson. I’ll just go now.”
“Good day, Mr Sliger,” Belinda murmured, too hamstrung by her own chagrin to console him further as he slunk out of the room.
Imagine me as companion to Mr Alwyn’s aunt! Every time he came to visit, I’d have to sit with them and steady my hand whilst serving tea.
And what if he brought a wife? I’d need to make conversation with her, and smile! For surely he will be married someday…but not to me.
No, not to me.She brushed roughly at her eyes.I did not earn adoctor’saffections, let alone those of a viscount!
Her face burned at the follies her gullible, greedy heart had whispered all morning long while awaiting the man’s return.
And return, he will — at least Mr Sliger seems to think so.
She pictured Mr Alwyn on the settee, making plain to her terms of employment rather than the matters of his heart.
