Chapter 2 #2
The housekeeper’s impartial features softened.
“Cook’s temperament has no effect upon her skills or the quality of the meals served.
” Mrs. Glenbrook shifted to stand next to Olivia and, with a glare that had Lady Charlotte sobering, she added, “It has come to my attention that you are once again in need of a maid. I suggest you consider Miss Olivia. She would be perfect for the position while you are in London.”
Lady Charlotte leaned forward and whispered into Olivia’s ear, “She mustn’t like you as much as you thought.”
Olivia blinked twice, briefly taken aback by Lady Charlotte’s comment.
Gazing at each other, the two ladies next to her engaged in some inaudible conversation. After what seemed an eternity to Olivia, Mrs. Glenbrook’s gaze flickered between Lady Charlotte and Olivia, and the housekeeper asked, “Well, my lady?”
“I was planning to remain in London for an extended spell. Do you believe Miss O can manage?” Lady Charlotte placed both hands behind her back and, with slightly narrowed eyes, gave her the once-over once more.
“It was Ian who vouched for Miss Olivia.”
“Oh, really?” Lady Charlotte’s eyes widened at the mention of her childhood friend, and with a smile that was entirely not feigned, she added, “All right then. Miss O, you are relieved of your duties in the kitchen, and effective immediately, assigned to the role of my maid.”
Olivia looked to Mrs. Glenbrook for reassurance but was met with a disturbingly apologetic gaze from the woman.
Maid to the lady of the house was a promotion from the kitchens.
She should be happy. She’d dared to hope to elevate her position within the staff earlier in the day, to be more like Ian.
The hard truth of her mama’s warnings to be careful of what you wish for hit her.
Lady Charlotte winked at Olivia, then turned about and marched toward the door. When Olivia remained rooted to the spot, Mrs. Glenbrook gave Olivia a not-so-gentle push forward. It was only when Olivia caught up to Lady Charlotte in the foyer that the countess slowed her pace.
“If you are going to be my maid, Miss O, you shall have to learn to keep up and do so silently.” Lady Charlotte’s no-nonsense tone sent a shiver rolling down Olivia’s spine.
The drastic shift in the countess’s demeanor had Olivia frowning.
Before she could respond, a heavy wool cloak was draped about her shoulders, and then a pair of gloves were being held out for her.
She looked up. It was Ian who was waiting for her to take the gloves from him.
He shook his head decisively as soon as her mouth parted slightly.
“Come along now, Miss O.”
“Where are we going at this late hour?” Olivia asked, and when Ian’s dark scowl fell upon her, she quickly added, “My lady.”
“You shall find out soon enough.” Lady Charlotte shifted her gaze to Ian. “You vouched for her?”
Ian glanced at Olivia and then returned his attention to Lady Charlotte. “I did, my lady.”
“Then you are responsible for her.” The countess slipped the hood of her cloak over her head and exited through the front door, mumbling.
Rushing to catch up to Lady Charlotte, Olivia donned the kid leather gloves and managed to decipher the last few words of the woman’s monologue.
“If she survives the evening, it will be a good start.” Egad!
Where was the countess off to? Why wouldn’t she return?
She shouldn’t have trusted Ian. Olivia glanced over her shoulder at her childhood friend, who was right on her heels and who once again gave her yet another shake of the head, silencing her questions.
She accepted Ian’s help up into the coach and settled herself on the generously cushioned rear-facing bench.
Olivia instinctively bounced up and down on the springy seat twice before she remembered she was now a maid to a countess and should act accordingly.
She took in a deep breath, clasped her hands tightly in her lap, and then gathered her courage to meet Lady Charlotte’s gaze.
“We spend more time than most traveling,” Lady Charlotte said as soon as Olivia raised her head.
Relieved to see the countess’s smile return, Olivia rattled off the first question that came to mind. “Why is that?” Argh. When will I learn to hold my tongue? She covered her mouth with both hands.
“And here I was worried that Mrs. Glenbrook had lost her mind and recommended a simpleton to be my maid.” Lady Charlotte stripped off her gloves and untied her cloak.
With nimble fingers and practiced movements, the countess detached a side panel, retrieved a swath of bright red silk, and gave it a good shake.
Olivia stared as a gorgeous gown came into focus. What is Lady Charlotte about?
“Lord Camden and I have duties that few are privy to.”
“Duties?”
“Don’t disappoint me, Miss O. Take a moment to mull it over.” Lady Charlotte shifted and turned her back toward Olivia. “Buttons.”
Thoughts still upon what duties could possibly warrant a lord and a lady to travel a great deal, Olivia took off her gloves and went to work on releasing the row of buttons on Lady Charlotte’s evening gown.
As the last one was released, Olivia asked, “Do you and Lord Camden belong to some secret covenant?” She answered her own question before the countess could. “No. That’s not it.”
Still flummoxed by the situation, Olivia assisted Lady Charlotte out of her gown and into an eye-catching ensemble that hugged the countess’s curves and emphasized her generous bosom.
The countess herself tied the delicate ribbons on a matching demi-mask, which she also pulled, magician-like, from her cloak’s pocket. It obscured Lady Charlotte's features.
Olivia settled back into her original seat and faced Lady Charlotte. After ruling out a multitude of what were probably hair-brained ideas as to what the woman could have inferred by “duties,” Olivia sat back, drummed her fingers on her knee, and asked, “Duties involving the Crown?”
Lady Charlotte produced a plain black demi-mask and handed it to her. “I’m glad you didn’t disappoint me, Miss Olivia.”
Olivia peered at the mask as if it was some exotic creature. “Must I wear that?”
“It’s for your own safety.” The countess lifted it from Olivia’s fingers, pressed it to her face until Olivia took over the task, and then turned her by the shoulders to secure the mask in place by tying the satin ribbons. “The Velvet Hell is not for the faint of heart.”
The Velvet Hell! Blimey, was Lady Charlotte going to sell her off to some other wealthy household?
Even the lowliest of staff had heard of the high-stakes wagers placed at the Velvet Hell.
Outrageous wagers. Unmentionable dares. However, rather than a shiver of fear rolling through her, a bolt of excitement had Olivia’s pulse racing.
Ugh. She was peculiar. She should be appalled. Dismayed at the very least.
As she turned back around, she spotted Lady Charlotte’s keen gaze upon her.
“Ah. I see now why Ian was willing to risk his position for you. Perhaps it’s because I’m enceinte that I initially failed to recognize your true nature.
No. I shall blame Lord Camden for my folly.
The blasted man kept me awake the entire journey home. ”
“You're pregnant, and we are to enter the Velvet Hell?” Olivia felt her jaw fall and didn’t bother not to gape.
Who was this woman? Surely not a countess.
Countesses didn’t gallivant about town in the middle of the night, and especially not when they might be carrying the future heir in their belly.
“Calm yourself. I’ve years of experience in these matters.”
“This is your first child, is it not? Does Lord Camden know?”
“Of course, my husband knows of my condition. We do not keep secrets from one another. A rule firmly established early in our relationship.” The devilish grin that formed on the countess’s face piqued Olivia’s curiosity. However, now was not the time to hear tales of a romance.
The coach rolled to a stop. Lady Charlotte shifted to the edge of her seat. “Follow closely. Speak to no one, and I mean, no one aside from me.”
Olivia placed a hand on the countess’s arm, halting her. “Are you certain this must be done?”
“Believe me, I’d rather be abed with Lord Camden than dealing with this mess, but one must do what one must do.” She removed Olivia’s hand and added, “If you would rather wait here, I can have Ian…”
“No. No, need. I will do my duty and accompany you.” Olivia wasn’t about to miss this opportunity for adventure after she’d been slowly dying, year after year, cooped up in the kitchens.
With an approving wink, Lady Charlotte exited the coach and, after Ian finished assisting the countess, he turned to help Olivia down.
She was filled with such delight she could have rolled up to her toes and kissed him on the cheek, but his serious features reminded her to refrain from such hoydenish behavior.
Instead, she lifted her hood over her head by way of disguise and followed her mistress into the famous—or rather, the infamous--Velvet Hell.