Page 22 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

“It is I, Millicent Skidmore!” The carriage stopped, and she threw the door open. “The last time you saw me I was bleeding and had just been in that terrible accident. Come inside. We will take you to Lowndesbury House. We’re on our way there now.”

Mr. Skidmore extended his hand and pulled me in, then he shut the door and the carriage jolted forward.

“How lovely to see you, Miss Robbins. I told everyone about how calm Lord Brookhaven’s governess was after the carriage overturned, how hysterical I was, and how you wrapped my hand and sat with me.”

I smiled. “I trust you were able to have a good visit to the seaside after the shock of the accident?”

“Oh yes, I always enjoy the seaside. It is my favorite place in the world. I can never get too much of it—the sea air and the sound of the waves. But once we returned home, we were very happy to get Lord Brookhaven’s invitation to join him for a house party. Do you know who the other guests will be?”

“I don’t, only that it will be a small party. Oh yes, his aunt, Lady Derringer, will be here. She has just arrived.”

Miss Skidmore’s eyes brightened, and she glanced at her father. “I so enjoy a good party.”

Her father did not smile, but he seemed agreeable to the prospect.

“I wonder if I will know anyone besides Lord Brookhaven. And you’re sure you don’t know who any of the guests will be, besides his aunt?”

“I do know one other guest.” I allowed myself a smile as I watched their reactions. “I will be attending. Lord Brookhaven insisted on it.”

“Oh.” Millicent’s eyes went wide. “That is so generous of him! And fortunate for me, for I will know someone.”

Mr. Skidmore’s brows shot up, but he made no comment.

“Lord Brookhaven must think very highly of you. But of course he does. You are a very genteel, pleasant sort of girl.” She smiled as if she had just bestowed a very great compliment on me. At least she wasn’t horrified at the thought of the earl inviting his governess to a house party.

“I believe I shall only be attending in the evenings,” I said, “when I’m done with my duties.” I trembled inside just thinking about being with all those highborn people, but it wasn’t all nerves. I would be able to see what these sorts of parties were all about, something I’d always wished for. I would hear lovely music and no doubt see the most extravagant and beautiful clothes I’d ever seen. I could satisfy my curiosity about these kinds of wealthy entertainments, and if I was fortunate, I might even be able to use the dancing skills Mrs. Southey’s dancing master had taught me.

“My father is a gentleman, of course,” Millicent went on, “and I am not afraid of being in the company of ladies and gentlemen, but if there are lords and ladies, earls and dukes and viscounts and the like, I shall be so frightened. Oh my.” She glanced again at her father. “I do believe Lady Derringer is a duchess.”

I wanted to tell her that they were only people, human beings like us, but Millicent probably wouldn’t appreciate such “wisdom” from a governess and might not like me saying “us” as if she and I were on the same level.

Mr. Skidmore’s carriage came to a halt, and we were handed down from the carriage. As I walked away to go around to the back of the house so I could enter near the servants’ stairs, I saw Lord Brookhaven exit the front door to greet his guests.

“Miss Robbins, where are you going?” he called out.

I turned to see them all staring at me from the front steps of the house.

“Sir?”

“Come and see my guests. You know them from a few weeks ago.”

Mr. Skidmore explained that they had given me a ride up the lane.

Millicent, I noticed, looked frightened and said not a word.

“Miss Robbins will be attending the party, won’t you, Miss Robbins?” Lord Brookhaven was eyeing Mr. and Miss Skidmore as he spoke. He seemed to be gauging their reactions.

“Yes, I’m happy I’ll have a friend at the party,” Millicent finally ventured to say. “Ha-have any of the other guests arrived?”

“You are the first, besides my aunt, Lady Derringer, who is to be hostess, but I’m expecting the others later today.”

I saw Millicent’s disappointment that he had not volunteered the names of any of the other guests, so I said, “If I may ask, who are the other guests?”

“Lord and Lady Rutledge and their daughter, Miss Rose Rutledge, as well as the Viscount Markeley, Mr. and Mrs. Allen and their son and daughter, Percy and Priscilla Allen. And tomorrow we can expect Mr. Thomas Merritt.”

Millicent sounded out of breath, her voice barely above a whisper as she said, “It sounds very ... lovely ... many lovely guests.”

“Are you acquainted with any of them?” Lord Brookhaven asked Mr. Skidmore.