There was a long silence before Lady Amelia gestured toward the book in Cassandra’s hands. “What are you reading?”
“The final Princess Lionberry novel. Have you read them?”
“I can’t say that I have.”
Cassandra blossomed into animation, her expression brightening, her hands gesturing wildly. “They’re splendiferous. Princess Lionberry lives in an enormous castle, but it’s bewitched and things are alive that shouldn’t be and are causing all sorts of problems.”
“Oh my. How…troublesome.”
“You don’t need to worry. Nothing’s alive in this house that shouldn’t be.” She patted Amelia’s hand in a surprisingly comforting gesture.
“What a relief.”
“What are you reading?” Cassandra asked.
“I don’t read.”
Cassandra’s jaw dropped open. “You can’tread?”
“Of course Icanread. I’ve read Debrett’s cover to cover a dozen times. Idon’tread.”
“Why not?” The girl’s face was one of horrified curiosity.
“Novels are frivolous. And men don’t like bluestockings. There’s nothing appealing about a woman who might be more intelligent than he is.”
Cassandra pursed her lips, her face the epitome of confusion. “But Fiona says that girls are as smart as boys and should learn all the same things they do.”
“And is this Fiona married?”
“Well…no.”
“I rest my case. If you want to be a success on the marriage mart, you need to avoid books like they’re wealthy young men with trade backgrounds. Tempting but entirely unsuitable.”
Cassandra’s eyes filled with tears, and she began to twist the fabric of her skirts.
Darn it. Even Amelia balked at making children cry. “I’m sure it’s perfectly fine to read books at your age. I won’t tell.”
Cassandra looked at her hopefully. “Did you read books as a child?”
“Of course. I readLady Quinn’s Guide to a Perfect Household,Social Gracesby Miss Megan Dunley,The Language of Flowersby Charlotte de la Tour.”
Her governess had given her a new book to read and memorize each fortnight. She’d hated every page of them. It was only now that she saw the benefit of such strict tutelage.
“But they’re instruction books.” Cassandra wrinkled her nose.
“And very good ones. You can borrow my copies when they arrive.” Regardless of one’s station, there was no excuse for not managing a strict and effective household. Amelia wouldn’t be here for long, but she would do what she could to teach the girl in the meantime.
A thin gawky maid who couldn’t be more than fifteen stopped in the doorway, looking ready to collapse under the size of the unpolished tray she carried. Her eyes darted between Amelia and Cassandra. Hesitantly, she entered and put the tray on the table between them.
Amelia looked at the tray and then looked at the maid. “I’m sorry. We asked for the tea service.”
Confused, the girl looked from the tray to Amelia and back again. “Yes, m’lady. And I’ve brought it.”
“You’ve brought a teapot and some cups. Where’s the coffeepot?”
“P…Pardon, m’lady. I thought you wanted tea.”
Amelia sighed. The staff were clearly going to require a lot of work. “It’s fine. Please bring it now.”
