Page 30 of No Ordinary Lady

The young man choked but was waved off and scurried from the room.

“His name is Sunday?”

“My grandson’s valet, and indeed, it is the name he was christened with,” Mrs. Nolan said, then leaned on one bejeweled hand to study Marian. Her ring glittered among them now. “That is beside the point, really.”

She wet her lips and tried not to think about the ring she’d given back. “What did he say about me?”

“Nothing I had not concluded myself after seeing you and my grandson together.”

Marian exhaled. She wasn’t ashamed to have been in Danny’s arms, or his bed last night. It had been an impulsive and satisfactory transaction. She had not intended to seek him out again if not for the ring taunting her from across the room. If her life hadn’t been threatened, if she’d not fallen asleep, and if Danny had bothered to say goodbye at the inn, their paths would never have crossed a second time.

She sat back down, wondering if the valet would cause her trouble later.

Granny sat up straight again. “Now, let’s talk about you.”

“What sort of story would you like tonight?”

“No story tonight, but we really must decide what you’re wearing tomorrow. That is quite an ancient dress, isn’t it, and utterly unsuitable for your new position? I require my companions to dress with a certain flair.”

“I haven’t anything better,” she whispered.

“But you will,” she said as an older servant hurried into the room. She stopped dead when she saw the old lady and Marian together. “So, it’s true. You found a replacement for the girl already.”

“Not exactly, Mrs. Paul. This is Miss Marian Trill,” Mrs. Nolan stated, winking. “The woman my grandson is smitten with.”

Marian choked at the suggestion.

The other woman blinked. “I see.”

“She’ll be staying with us until the wedding, at least,” Mrs. Nolan announced bluntly. “She’ll need help with dressing each day and a long bath tonight or tomorrow to wash away the past. That new girl my daughter foolishly hired to be my companion can become Miss Trill’s personal maid,” Mrs. Nolan decided, smiling Marian’s way.

Marian squirmed. “I can look after myself.”

“But why should a lady have to?” Mrs. Nolan said. “A proper lady requires a high degree of pampering.”

“I’m not⁠—”

“Silence, my dear.”

“It will be done, madam,” the lady said, and looked Marian up and down with a critical eye. “I think she’d suit bolder colors. No pastels for this one.”

“I quite agree,” the old woman said. “Perhaps something in yellow for the day and emerald satin for the night.”

“You’ve just the gowns, then, if you’ll permit them altered,” Mrs. Paul suggested as she walked into an adjoining room.

When she returned, her arms were full of bright fabric, orange, ruby red and a stunning shade of blue.

Marian sat up a little straighter as the housekeeper laid them out on a bed. Her palms damp from anticipation and possessiveness.

The woman showed her the lovely bold orange. A round gown that Marian craved at first sight.

“I think this should fit almost perfectly,” the housekeeper promised. “Stand up.”

Bemused, Marian stood as the gown was held against her and shown to the older woman.

“Yes, that’s the one for tomorrow’s introductions,” Mrs. Nolan said, tapping her hips. “Now something with more flare for dinner.”

The maid went back into the other room and returned with a green satin gown. It seemed heavy and appeared studded with glittering beads. She glanced at the old woman, who was wearing a jewel shade of blue herself tonight. “You have so many beautiful gowns.”