Page 17 of A Well-Trained Lady

Her face lit up. “I’m very glad you find it acceptable, Miss Godwin. I know it probably isn’t as grand as you are used to, but I have always preferred comfort over extravagance.” Her hand flew to her mouth. “Not that being extravagant is bad nor necessarily uncomfortable. I just prefer simplicity.” The color in her face deepened to scarlet.

I offered a courteous smile. “I can see why you prefer this style. It has a friendliness about it that perfectly suits what I have heard of Fairhaven.”

Mrs. Brundage and Ruth beamed at my compliment, though Sarah didn’t look up from her twirling fingers.

“And I’m just the next room over if you should need me.” Ruth looked giddy with the idea of being so near.

“Dinner is at six.” Mrs. Brundage paused. “Unless, that is, you prefer to have it postponed to a later hour during your stay?”

Unwilling to remind her that she was the hostess and therefore was the one to decide such things, I shook my head. “Six is most agreeable.”

“Very good.”

We stood a moment in silence before I clasped my hands before me. “I shall see you at six, then?”

Mrs. Brundage’s eyes widened. “Oh, of course. Yes. We must be on our way.” She nearly pushed the two young ladies from the room, and Ruth lifted onto her toes and waved at me from the corridor. “Do not hesitate to ask if you need anything.”

I offered one last smile. “I will not. Thank you.” As I closed the door, I let out a heavy sigh and leaned my head against it. After a few moments of silent reprieve, I made my way to the looking glass. Thankfully, I didn’t appear nearly as fatigued as I felt.

A slight knock sounded, and Leah stepped into the room.

I met her gaze in the mirror’s reflection. “Are you as exhausted as I am, Leah?”

Leah’s lips curled upward ever so slightly at the corners. “Your friend has quite a talent for conversation.”

“She certainly does. Though I hope it will only be a matter of time before I grow accustomed to it again.”

Leah retrieved my discarded bonnet and the gloves I’d tossed on the bed, and placed them in the wardrobe. “Mr. Brundage seems reason enough to endure any amount of prattle.”

I spun toward her in my chair and rose to my feet. “I will not stand idly by while you speak of your superiors in such a manner.” Recalling the touch of pink in Leah’s cheeks when Augustus had spoken to her in London made my blood boil. “Mr. Brundage’s position, as well as Ruth’s, demands both respect and distance from someone of your station.”

Leah dropped her head. “Forgive me, miss.”

My headache intensified, and I rubbed at my temples. How I hated getting upset, but I could not tolerate such behavior from a servant. Leah’s last employer may have allowed for the improper familiarity, but Mother had warned me of the hazards of permitting such casual conduct from a servant. A firm hand was needed, and yet my determination waivered when I appraised her downcast countenance. “Go see about my trunks.”

She moved toward the door and stopped, turning toward me again, her head still lowered.

“What is it?” Though my patience was on unsteady ground, I managed to keep my voice unaffected.

“I have a missive from your father.” She extended a letter toward me. “He told me to deliver it once we had arrived at Fairhaven.”

I stepped forward to retrieve the letter, uncertain why Papa had not just given it to me on our parting. Was there a reason I was not to read it until now? “Thank you. You may go.”

Leah hurried from the room, and I lifted the missive to examine it. This must be Papa’s ill-timed explanation of why he had sent me here. I shook my head at the memory of how it had all come to pass, and broke the seal.

My Dearest Girl,

Though I am certain you shall later demand a more thorough apology, I hope you are not too disappointed in me nor in the situation in which you find yourself. After much consideration, including the regrettable reality that your mother must be kept ignorant of your whereabouts, I have concluded that the greater offense would be to keep you from one of your dearest friends now that Providence has reunited you. Particularly when it is evident how desperately she needs your guidance. Do assist her.

All my love,

Papa

I flipped the page over in hopes of discovering a postscript that contained a more thorough explanation or the actual apology Papa had alluded to. Yet, it was hardly a surprise to find both omitted.

I released an agitated sigh and reread his scribbled hand a second time, my consideration drawn to the last three words of his text: do assist her. Was this to do with my comment after first parting ways with Ruth? When I had mentioned that I’d hardly met a lady so poorly trained? And why, if it was the reason, would Papa place the task on me? Surely he had no responsibility for Ruth.

But perhaps it was an act of charity for an old neighbor in obvious need of help. Papa did always see it as part of his role as a politician to give some opportunity to the lesser among us. And who better to offer Ruth that support? I surely had her best interest at heart, and, as one of the ton’s Incomparables, I was well aware what aspects of training would be most beneficial to a lady of her situation.