“I believe what you meant to say was it was an intriguing concept,” Owen countered. “But to make it even more intriguing, know that there would be no need for you to worry about your safety. I would personally handle all the details surrounding that,and I’m more than capable of standing between you and any danger that may arise.”
Before Camilla could muster up a response to that, Bernadette was back to fluttering her lashes, paired this time with a bright smile that was, of course, directed at Owen, her annoyance over his acting comment evidently a thing of the past.
“Not that I know much about what this proposal of yours might entail, Mr. Chesterfield, although I did overhear a little when I was, ah, lingering outside the door, but I think having Miss Pierpont travel to ... I believe you said West Virginia, would be the perfect solution to keep her safe.” Bernadette’s smile turned brighter than ever. “I know, as Miss Pierpont’s lady’s maid, that she’ll surely descend into a state of moroseness if she’s forced to remain sequestered because of threats against her. However, since you’ve offered to protect her—and make no mistake, I have a feeling you know your way around how best to protect a lady—I think it’s a plan Miss Pierpont will definitely want to accept. And, just to be clear, if you can convince her to do exactly that, know that I’ll be traveling with her.”
It wasn’t much of a surprise when Owen began looking like a deer in the lantern lights again, and Camilla couldn’t blame him, not when her lady’s maid was behaving completely beyond the pale.
“I believe it’s time for you to return to your duties, Bernadette,” she began, “and no, you won’t need to start packing us up to travel to West Virginia because, while Mr. Chesterfield’s idea has merit, I won’t be accepting his proposal.”
She ignored the frown Bernadette was now leveling on her and turned to Owen. “Thank you again for rescuing me today, but now I believe it’s time for us to part ways, although know that I do wish you well with your sister.”
He considered her for a long moment before he presented her with a bow. “You’re welcome for the rescue, but I won’t claim I’m not disappointed by your decision, although ... would youreconsider if I offered to pay above and beyond your usual fee for sponsoring young ladies?”
“I don’t charge a fee.”
“Huh.”
She smiled. “You weren’t expecting that, were you?”
“Can’t say I was, but...” He tilted his head. “Do you not charge a fee because you look at sponsoring young ladies as a remedy for that ennui you apparently suffer from?”
Her smile faded just a touch. “You’re very astute, aren’t you, Mr. Chesterfield?”
“I tend to notice things, and then I tend to think about those things, which is why I’m now wondering if that ennui might start plaguing you more than ever once your normal activities are curtailed and you’re placed under twenty-four-hour surveillance.”
“Besides being astute, you’re also evidently tenacious, and while that’s a solid argument to advance your desire to get me to West Virginia, I’m sorry, but no. I really do need to decline.”
He blew out a breath. “Then I suppose there’s no need to keep badgering you. But if you happen to change your mind, I’m off to give a statement to the sheriff about my take on this morning’s event, although I doubt that’ll take me long.”
“I won’t change my mind since I don’t believe I can successfully help your sister, nor do I want to give her false hope by even attempting to take her in hand.”
“And I think you’re selling yourself short, but it’s not my place to continue arguing with you since I certainly don’t want us parting on prickly terms.”
“I’m not prickly.”
Owen’s lips twitched. “Of course you’re not.”
He presented her with another bow, did the same to Bernadette, who responded with another onslaught of fluttering lashes, then quit the room.
“You’ve clearly taken leave of your senses,” Bernadette said a mere second after Owen disappeared from sight.
“And you’ve clearly forgotten, or you’re unaware, that it’s a serious breach of expected behavior to flirt outrageously with guests.”
Bernadette blinked. “I wasn’t flirting. I was merely being friendly.”
“You kept fluttering your lashes.”
“That’s what lashes are for, but...” Bernadette frowned. “If you thought I was being flirty, why didn’t you say something?”
“I wouldn’t have wanted to embarrass either you or Mr. Chesterfield. Besides, conversations such as the one we’re currently holding are best held privately.”
Bernadette’s brow furrowed. “None of my other employers ever hesitated to take me to task, or flat-out fire me, if they thought I was doing something wrong, so allow me to thank you for not embarrassing me.”
“You’re welcome, and may I dare hope that you’ll now keep your flirting with guests in check?”
“Mr. Chesterfield didn’t seem like he was a guest.”
“True. Perhaps I should have hoped you’d agree to keep flirting in general in check.”
