Samantha (Barrett 2)

"Millie, She hates it here. And, quite frankly, she's a horrendous lady's maid. It's not her fault, of course. She wasn't trained to attend the family, only to assist the other servants. Still, I couldn't honor her request for reinstatement at Aunt Gertie's Hampshire manor—not until I had a suitable replacement. Well, now I do." Pausing only to gulp in some air, Sammy raced on, "Smitty, this is Cynthia . . ." She hesitated, glancing quizzically at her new friend.

"Aldin," Cynthia supplied in a whisper.

"Miss Aldin." In what was fast becoming a habit this Season, Smitty withdrew his handkerchief and dabbed at his forehead.

"Cynthia and I met at Covent Garden last night. I believe it was fate."

"Fate?"

"Yes . . . you see, not only do we need Cynthia, but she needs us as well. So, it's perfect."

"Where are you from, Miss Aldin?" Smitty inquired politely, trying in vain to make some sense of the conversation.

"From just outside London, sir."

"Cynthia is highly educated; she was trained to be a governess."

"Then why is she seeking employment as a lady's maid?"

It was the question Cynthia had dreaded and Sammy had anticipated. With all the gentle sincerity in her heart, Sammy addressed it.

"When Cynthia and I met, all she was seeking was solace. I was the one who insisted she come home with me. You see, Smitty, her previous employer insulted and mistreated her. I won't even mention the unspeakable advances he made, nor the subsequent damage he did to her reputation. Suffice it to say she was horribly, horribly wronged . . . and it's up to us to make it right." Sammy's eyes pleaded her case. "I told her how kind you were, how mortified you'd be that an innocent woman could be so ill-used. And I offered her a position as my lady's maid. The idea was totally mine, not hers."

Smitty did indeed look mortified. "I'm appalled that Miss Aldin has been subjected to such abuse," he began. "However, my lady, I must point out—"

"She saved my life."

That stopped him. "Pardon me?"

"She saved my life." Sammy's mind was racing as she desperately sought a way to tell Smitty the truth, without implicating both Cynthia and herself. "When the opera concluded, Lord Gresham went to arrange for his phaeton to be brought around. I grew impatient and strolled off."

"Alone?" Smitty looked ill.

"Yes. 'Twas stupid, I know, especially in light of what occurred. I was accosted by a band of ruffians. Heaven only knows what they intended—"

"Where was the earl?" Smitty interrupted in a croak.

"He had no notion of my whereabouts." That much was indeed true. "As luck would have it, Cynthia was walking nearby, grappling with the bleakness of her future, when she heard my muffled calls for help. She interceded, made enough of a scene for the scoundrels to panic and flee." Sammy's shudder was as genuine as her next words. "I hate to think what my fate would have been had she not arrived."

Smitty swallowed convulsively. "Miss Aldin . . . you have my heartfelt gratitude." He bowed. "It would be an honor to have you stay on as Lady Samantha's personal lady's maid."

"Sir," Cynthia rubbed her damp palms together, "I feel you should know that, given the circumstances, I have no references."

"I've just received the only reference I need." Smitty's voice was gruff with emotion.

"Thank you, sir ... I promise you won't be sorry."

Sammy was less formal, throwing her arms around Smitty's neck. "Thank you," she whispered. "Oh . . . Smitty?" she said in a normal tone. "Will you speak to Aunt Gertrude for us? That way I can go tell Millie the wonderful news right away, and help her pack. Cynthia spent last night on my settee. I'm sure she'd prefer moving into her own room."

A twinkle of amusement flashed in Smitty's eyes. "I'll speak to your aunt, my lady. As for young Millie, I'm certain you'll have her on her way in less than an hour."

Fifty minutes later Millie was hastened into a waiting carriage, still calling thank-yous over her shoulder as the horses sped off for Hampshire.

"Done," Sammy announced, closing the door behind her. "Now let's get you settled."

"Do you always do things this way?" Cynthia asked as they climbed the stairs.

"What way?"