“You can count your lodging here as part of your salary, Miss Ellis,” he pointed out, as if knowing exactly what was on her mind. “And you will be doing her ladyship a favor, beginning your duties on such short notice.”
“Indeed, you will,” the countess agreed.
Not wanting to appear ungrateful, Madeline amended her reply. “You are very generous, Lady Danvers.”
“Arabella, please … and I hope I may call you Madeline.”
“Yes, of course … Arabella.”
“Ah,” Arabella said suddenly, “I should have thought of it. You must attend our ball this evening, Madeline. You may meet our headmistress and other teachers then—except for my youngest sister, Lily, who is traveling in the Mediterranean just now. But my middle sister, Roslyn, has recently returned from her wedding journey and will be there. In fact, Roslyn will be eager to see you, Lord Haviland.” Arabella glanced at him directly again, this time with unmistakable amusement. “This courtship business can be highly awkward, my lord, can it not?”
“Indeed,” he answered dryly.
Not understanding the undercurrents between them, Madeline was surprised to see him shift in his seat, as if uncomfortable with the change of subject.
She was uncomfortable herself, although she was well aware of the reason. Arabella’s invitation to the ball was much less welcome than her offer of employment. Madeline had no desire to attend this evening’s fête. She knew she could hold her own in society, even though she was accustomed to being considered an upper servant. Yet she lacked the appropriate attire for a ball. Moreover, she had never learned to dance very well and didn’t wish to advertise her shortcomings.
“You are quite generous, Arabella, but I feel I must decline. I am not quite ready to appear in society.”
“Very well, as you wish. But you will come, Haviland, won’t you?” the countess asked.
His hesitation was obvious. “I have a houseguest staying with me at the moment, Lady Danvers, and I shouldn’t like to leave Lunsford to his own devices.”
“Mr. Frederick Lunsford? We would be pleased to have him as well.”
“Then I accept on his behalf.” Haviland winced, as if girding himself for an unpleasant task. “I suppose I should look at it as an opportunity.”
“Yes. Roslyn will make good use of the occasion.” Arabella turned back to Madeline, seeking to explain. “At Haviland’s request, I and my sisters have banded together to find him a suitable bride, although Roslyn is chiefly in charge. We have suggested several marital candidates for him, but thus far no one seems to suit him.”
Madeline managed a faint smile to hide her dismay, which was absurd. Why in heaven’s name should she be dismayed to learn that the Loring sisters were helping the Earl of Haviland search for a bride?
Because you have become foolishly attracted to him yourself, came the unbidden thought.
Of course she had little hope of attaching him, but for one fleeting moment she imagined how wonderful it would be to have Haviland see her as his prospective bride. To be courted by him at the ball tonight. To be kissed by him and enveloped in his stunning passion….
If she were a dreamer, she could let herself indulge in such impossible fantasies. Fortunately, though, Madeline had no time to dwell on her foolish reflections because Arabella rose.
“Now, if you will please excuse me, I must see to the preparations for this evening. My husband had business in London regarding his sister Eleanor’s upcoming nuptials, so we were late returning here to the Hall. Haviland, pray make yourself at home,” she added as both he and Madeline stood politely. “When you are ready, Madeline, Mrs. Simpkin will help you settle into your rooms. And you will be very welcome at the ball this evening if you change your mind.”
Madeline started to thank Arabella again, but Haviland spoke before she could. “I will do my utmost to persuade her to attend.”
Realizing that he didn’t mean to take his leave just yet, Madeline eyed him warily. She didn’t want to be alone with him just now, for she suspected his “persuasion” would be difficult to resist.
Her wariness was justified. As soon as Arabella had gone, he took up the issue again. “Why don’t you wish to attend the ball?”
Madeline settled for honesty. “I dislike ostentatious events, for one thing, particularly when I know I will be held under close scrutiny and judged by total strangers who may find me wanting. And I haven’t a ball gown, for another.”
“I imagine Lady Danvers would readily loan you one of hers.”
Madeline gave him a look of reproach. “It is simply not done. And even if it were, we are not the same size.”
She felt his masculine gaze appraise her. She was not quite as tall or as slender as Arabella, and she was definitely more buxom, but she couldn’t tell from his enigmatic expression what he was thinking.
“You can always have a gown altered,” was Haviland’s unexpected suggestion.
“Not on such short notice.”
“For a price, it can be done.”