“Every color in the rainbow?” Mother’s voice raised an octave.
“It is all Graham’s fault!” Ginny screeched. “I’ve never needed to be organized before! Why have you given us only five minutes’ notice to prepare for that beast of a woman?”
“I’ve hardly had five minutes to prepare myself,” I said, shaking my head. “Her father has run off to Bath to court that woman he met several months ago.”
My family knew all about the Lanes, about my professional relationship with Mr. Lane, and my less-than-happy interactions with his daughter.
“The carriage is coming up the drive, Mr. Everett,” Roland announced from the front door.
“Blast, blast, blast,” I muttered, pacing from room to room. Where was Tabs? The dining room was spotless, library decent, and music room nearly dust-free thanks to Harriet’s quick work.Mother had insisted we furnish the room atthe end of the hall on the second floor as a guest room. Unfortunately, Anna’s lady’s maid would have to double up and sleep with Rebecca or Harriet.
“Go now, Graham,” Mother said, rushing past. “I will tell the servants to find Tabitha and send her straight to her room. She and I will review manners and propriety before bed.”
“Thank you, Mother.” I would worry about all that later. For now, I looked in the mirror on the wall opposite the drawing room and adjusted my cravat, then smoothed out my hair and rubbed a bit of dirt from my jacket. I would play my part to perfection.
Roland, who acted the part of butler, footman, and valet, as well as every other job we needed of him, rushed past me to retrieve the steps for the carriage. I followed him down the front stairs to the drive just as the carriage rolled to a stop.
A deep breath of sea air calmed my nerves. Perhaps the doctors in town actually knew something about the sea’s medicinal properties. When I’d asked Mother where, in all of England she’d want to live, she’d chosen Brighton. At first, I’d dragged my feet, imagining soggy boots and sand in every crevice. But the salty air had made her smile again; perhaps it could grant me a similar balm in the coming days.
Roland laid the steps under the carriage door, then opened it as I approached. Mariah descended first, and Roland directed her to the servants’ stairs around the house.
Then Anna appeared, steadying herself within the doorframe. Our eyes met for the briefest moment, just long enough for her to get her bearings. Her hair had been readjusted, her hat pinned back on, cheeks perfectly rosy, and full lips set.
“Welcome to Highcliffe House, Miss Lane,” I greeted her, holding out my hand. She grasped my wrist instead, leaning more weight on me than I’d expected as she struggled down the stairs. “Are you well?”
“Your carriage needs realigning,” she muttered, releasing my arm and rubbing her hand on her skirts. She scrunched her nose. “And you smell like horse.”
“Thank you.” I held out my arm to lead her into the house, where my mother and sister no doubt watched from the window.
She forced a tight smile, then turned and strode toward Roland, who’d moved to open the front door. I stretched out my neck. She could not talk to me like that. Not within earshot of my servants. And especially not in front of my mother.
Roland stood still as a statue at the door. Good man. I nodded my appreciation as I followed Anna toward the house.
ChapterSix
Anna
I could taste the sea.
Salty, humid air filled my lungs as I drew in one last deep, sullen breath before taking the few stairs up to Graham’s front door. Highcliffe House, modest in size and painted a creamy white, stood against a speckling of trees in every direction. Weather-roughed potted bushes trimmed into spheres stood on either side of the door where his man waited.
Never had I imagined where Graham lived or what such a place would look like,feellike. From the front drive to the front door, the house was simple and plain, but also clean and tidy and somehow elegant. The latter I’d attribute to his mother’s hand.
Most importantly, Highcliffe House was far removed from Society’s eye. Far enough that anyone looking to appease their curiosity regarding my current state after what Mr. Lennox had done would be hard-pressed to find me. Perhaps, by the time Papa and I returned to London, something or someone else would have already overshadowed his transgression.
I caught Graham’s eyes watching me as I stepped inside the house. Though he tried to hide his thoughts behind afirm mask of polite manners and amiability, Graham disliked me as much as I disliked him. As per usual, his efforts were made strictly to win more of my father’s money. I was merely a pawn in his game.
“... such a happy surprise.” A woman’s greeting echoed from the hall.
“My mother, Mrs. Julia Everett,” Graham said as a petite woman strode toward us. Her light-brown hair was pinned into a simple knot atop her head, a more casual look that reminded me I hadn’t been expected as a guest. I held steady, firm against the awkwardness that swelled in my chest, to keep my nerves from overcoming me as Graham said, “Mother, Mr. Lane’s daughter, Miss Anna Lane.”
“You have a lovely home, Mrs. Everett,” I said with a curtsey. “I cannot thank you enough for hosting me on such short notice, and for so long.”
“Thank you, Miss Lane. How kind of you,” she replied, reaching out to squeeze my arm. “May I introduce my daughter, Genevieve.”
A girl a few years younger than I stepped forward. She was a mirror image of her mother, but all sharp edges. “How do you do, Miss Lane?”
I gauged from her piercing gaze and clever, pursed smile that she was not impressed with me. What had Graham told her about me? She was pretty, well-dressed in a wispy muslin, with a forced politeness she’d no doubt learned from her brother.
