Page 48 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

Youhave never had servants of your own,so I willtell you:It would be a mistake to treat yourhired companion,or any of your servants,as a friend. You must not do it,otherwise they will take advantageof your good nature. You must be firm but fairin all your dealings,detached but kind.

Firm but fair,detached but kind.I’d said the words over and over like a mantra. After all, my inclination was to be friendly and warm with the people who were helping me, but Mrs. Southey was much older, wiser, and experienced than I, and she was a woman of unreproachable character.

Lord Brookhaven’s townhouse was between mine and Hyde Park, and that was at the forefront of my thoughts as Mrs. Drake and I set out to take the morning air.

Sixteen

There she was. Miss Charlotte Robbins, walking down the street past William’s door.

He grabbed the first jacket his hand came to and threw it on as he raced down the stairs and outside. He slowed his walk, just in case she turned to look and saw him running like a madman. But at this rate, they’d be at Hyde Park before he caught up to her.

“Miss Robbins?” William called at what he hoped was an appropriate volume.

She turned and broke into a smile. She and her companion stopped and waited for him.

His heart seemed to think he was running uphill, and his cravat was suddenly too tight around his neck. But he managed to speak. “Good day, Miss Robbins.”

“Good day, Lord Brookhaven.”

Her smile was so beautiful. Thankfully, they continued walking so he wasn’t staring straight at her anymore.

She said, “I received the invitation you sent, for the ball at your home.”

“I hope you will be able to attend.”

“Yes, thank you. I was planning to send my acceptance this afternoon. And how are Samuel and Annabelle?”

“They are well. They were very happy that you came and visited them.”

“I have longed to see them. Perhaps you would allow them to come on a walk to Hyde Park with me soon?”

“Yes, of course. Name the day and we shall all accompany you.”

“Tomorrow, if that suits.”

“Of course. Tomorrow it shall be.”

“I have invited someone you know, Miss Millicent Skidmore, to visit me. If she arrives before the ball, will your invitation include her?”

“Yes, of course. I will send a revised invitation right away. Anyone you wish to bring with you is invited, in fact, if you have any other friends visiting.”

“Thank you, that is very kind.” She smiled as if she could see right through him, as though she knew he would do anything for her ... as if she knew what he’d done. But she couldn’t know, could she?

They continued walking toward Hyde Park while they talked—Miss Robbins, Mrs. Drake, and William. At once it was like their walks at Lowndesbury House, and not at all like that. For one thing, on their old walks they’d been alone, able to speak more intimately. Miss Robbins was now a wealthy lady, not a poor orphaned governess, and her clothing and even the tilt of her head and shoulders seemed to indicate her new status, although her face was as lovely as ever, her eyes as sparkling and blue.

He needed to say something before she realized his lovesick thoughts.

“There will be some people at the ball that you’ve met before.”

“Oh?”

“Lord Markeley and Mr. Merritt will be attending.”

Her smile faltered. He’d suspected they’d said something to her the last night she’d dined with the house party group that had caused her to refuse to attend again. Would she be able to overlook whatever they’d said, now that she had a fortune of her own? They’d got on so well, until that dinner.

“And I suppose Miss Rutledge will be there with Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge?”

“Indeed, no. They are not in London just now.”