He wanted to ask her if she would start studying again, but that would be pushing her. Her presence here was already good progress.
“Would you read the next letter, please?” he asked.
“Of course.” Edith brought her chair closer to the desk, and he caught her fresh scent of jasmine. “Which one?”
Edith had just finished tellingher mother about her new job, thinking that would put to rest any further unpleasant conversations, but Mother hadn’t stopped asking questions. Questions Edith didn’t know how to answer.
Why you? What’s the pay? Do you work alone with him? What do you exactly do?
The dining room at breakfast had become an interrogation room. Edith couldn’t sip her tea in peace without being questioned.
“It doesn’t make any sense.” Mother must have said that at least a dozen times. “Why would the Earl of Ravenscroft hire you as his secretary?”
“Because he knows me and trusts me. He’s going through a difficult moment because he’s just returned to London after years of absence, and he needs a friend to help him with his work. That’s all.” And it was true as well.
“So you spend the day alone with him.”
“I work for him, Mother. And Perry and I are friends.”
“I know, but a friend of mine told me that people who receive blows to the head might become dangerous, aggressive, or even be prone to indecency.”
“Ridiculous. Mother, do you believe a friend’s passing comment and not what Father says?” She rose from the chair. “I don’t want to be late.”
The maid opened the door. “Lady Lancaster is here, madam.”
“Marianne, darling.” Mother rushed to Marianne as if in need of being rescued from a dragon. “It’s so good to see you here.”
“Mother.” Marianne kissed Mother’s cheek and gave Edith a worried glance.
Edith couldn’t blame her. “Good morning, Marianne. Tea?”
“Yes, please.” She removed her gloves and eyed the newspaper. “Is it new?”
“Fresh from being ironed.” Edith poured her a cup of tea.
Marianne went straight to the scandal sheet. “Any news?” A quivering note intruded in her voice.
“None, darling,” Mother said. “Is something the matter?”
“No, no.” Marianne let out a forced laugh. “Quite the opposite. I came here to announce we’re hosting a ball next week. I would love to invite Lord Ravenscroft. We neglected our duty to invite him for too long.”
Edith exchanged a glance with her sister.
“Splendid idea.” Mother waved at Edith. “I was just talking with Edith about that. Lord Ravenscroft hired her as his secretary,” she said ‘secretary’ as if it were an absurd job.
“Did he now?” Marianne said. “Interesting.”
Edith cleared her throat. “Yes, he needs help with his work. Apparently, headaches plague him.”
Mother softened. “Poor man.”
“Will you pass my invitation to him then?” Marianne asked. “I’ll send him a formal card, but you might want to tell him first.”
“Of course.” Edith finished her tea, wondering if Perry would be interested in going to a ball. “I’ll see you later.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Marianne followed her to the entry hall.
“Everything is all right,” Edith whispered, checking Mother was still in the dining room. “Perry won’t show the painting to anyone.”
