Josephine huffed. “It’s probably something I don’t want to hear.”
“No, silly girl. It just so happens this is something wonderful. Or I think it is and on such a dreary day as this, it’s a good time to hear something lovely.”
“If you think it’s lovely, I probably won’t.”
Obviously, Josephine wasn’t ready to forgive her for being so firm.
“I’ll tell you what it is and then you can decide if you think it’s to your liking. How’s that?”
Josephine returned to the silent treatment and didn’t answer.
“You and I have the opportunity to live in a different place for a few weeks.”
“What do you mean, Essie?” she exclaimed, jerking her hands to her side once more. “We’ve hardly lived here a year. You promised this would be our home for a long, long time and we wouldn’t have to move again. You promised.”
“You misunderstood. It’s not that we’re moving. We’re not. This is our home and will be. It’s more like we’ll be visiting. And it’s only for a short time. Six weeks at the most.”
“I don’t want to go. Besides, Napoleon doesn’t want to go and I won’t go anywhere without him.”
“You won’t have to,” Esmeralda said, mentally thanking the duke again for agreeing Napoleon could come. “He was invited as well. But he will continue to be your responsibility. Besides, you must go. There is no alternative. I cannot leave you here alone.”
Josephine’s bottom lip formed another pout.
Esmeralda forged ahead and said, “I have been employed by the Duke of Griffin to be the chaperone for his twin sisters for the Season.”
“Chaperone.”
“I know it’s not your favorite word,” Esmeralda admitted.
“No, but it must be yours.” Josephine rolled her eyes in disgust and then said something else under her breath. Esmeralda wasn’t sure what it was, which was probably for the best.
“I didn’t think you were going to work in homes anymore after Papa died.”
Esmeralda had promised Josephine she wouldn’t. That’s why when Mr. Fortescue had offered her the prospect to maintain the agency, she jumped at the chance. Women were seldom afforded such opportunities. And it was the perfect setup with the agency below stairs and the living area on the first floor. The only problem had been that the man hadn’t been honest with her about the monthly income from the business.
“That was my plan. But the duke specifically wanted me. Perhaps because he wanted someone near to the ages of his sisters, who are eighteen. I’m not sure of his reasons. I couldn’t say no once he agreed that you and Napoleon can come with me. That was a great concession on his part.”
Unimpressed, Josephine challenged Esmeralda with her eyes and stuck her lip out even farther.
It was time for Esmeralda to stop explaining and start getting ready for her new position. “Now I have a lot of planning to do. I must figure out who is available right now to have the agency open each day while we’re away. I don’t want to miss any opportunity that might come our way while we are at the duke’s house. And, I must read up on the duties of a chaperone. Oh, and I need to find out the names of all the eligible bachelors.”
Suddenly Esmeralda’s mind was swirling with things she must get accomplished in a very short time. While Miss Fortescue had schooled her well in all the forms of service, she was wishing she had some practical experience right now to go along with her knowledge.
“But, I must put all that aside for now.” She paused and looked down at her sister. “The first thing tomorrow we must go and be fitted for new clothing. Wouldn’t you like a new dress to wear?”
“Why?” Josephine asked in a determined tone. “I will never get to go for a walk on the street for anyone to see me in it.”
“Josephine, you know that’s not true. You are simply trying to make me feel horrible about a decision I had to make for our future. I won’t let you. If this works out well, and I can earn the bonuses the duke promised, I will be able to hire someone like Mrs. Chiddington from down the street to come and be with you and Napoleon each day. Yes, to be your chaperone, but she could also go for walks with you in the mornings and afternoons too when the weather is good. A young lady must always have someone with her at all times.”
“But what will I do during the day while you are doing your chaperoning?”
“Well, I haven’t seen the duke’s house, but I’m sure it has a garden,” she offered, trying to find a way to be persuasive. “Perhaps a big one with paths, nooks, and I bet it will have fountains.”
Her sister’s eyes widened a little and her expression sobered. “A real garden?”
It seemed unwise to be suggesting something she had no idea would come to pass but since she’d finally gotten her sister’s attention, she couldn’t back away from the possibility.
“I can’t imagine he wouldn’t have. I feel sure he will allow you and Napoleon to spend as much time in it as you would like. But you’ll also have to do the same things you do here. You will work on your needlework, sums, and reading. There’s a good possibility the duke has a vast library too. I don’t think he would mind if you read some of his books.”
