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“It doesn’t matter.”
“Helene,” an older woman snapped. “Don’t be derelict in your duties.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Helene curtsied and scurried back to the counters, where she began wiping.
Such a shame. Helene was a pretty girl with brown hair and dark eyes. What a belle of the ball she would be if she were allowed to partake.
Tricia finished her plate, wiped her lips daintily, and then rose.
“Do you require anything else, my lady?” the older servant who admonished Helene asked.
“No, ma’am. Thank you.” Tricia resisted the urge to curtsy herself.
“Very well, my lady.” The older servant turned away without a smile.
Tricia left the kitchen. Where should she go next? She would not return to the ball, but her garments were so stifling. She required some fresh air.
She stole through the corridors to the front entrance of the estate, where servants guarded the doorway.
“Do you require assistance, my lady?” one of them asked.
“I would like to go outside, if you please.”
“I’m afraid I cannot allow that without an escort,” the servant said.
“I’m the sister of the Earl of Thornton,” she said. “I want only a bit of fresh air. I shan’t go far.”
“Then I must check with the earl first.”
“For goodness’ sake,” Tricia scurried away from the entrance.
If this was what the peerage was like, she’d had quite enough. Having to ask permission to do this or that, needing a chaperone for this or that. Goodness, when she was but fifteen, before she knew her ancestry, she came and went from her rented land by herself, running errands for her mother.
But now, all of a sudden, she was a prisoner?
She hadn’t thought much about it before she came of age. She had been too excited about the riches she had found herself immersed in.
But now she’d had quite enough, thank you very much.
If she wanted fresh air, she had to get Cameron’s permission. So against her better judgment, she returned to the ballroom.
11
Thomas’s feet felt like two lead weights inside his boots.
Dance after dance after dance… Was there any young lady at this ball with whom he hadn’t danced?
Tricia.
He’d nearly taken her virginity on the very fourth floor of this estate, yet he hadn’t danced with her.
She’d retired early, so there was no chance of dancing with her tonight?—
He gasped.
She was here.
Back at the ball.
