He hesitated a moment but then stepped aside, emphasizing just how much his shoulders had filled the doorway before, and gestured for her to come in.
She forced her mind to focus before flashing him the meek smile of a nervous maid and then stepped across the massive threshold into a lavish foyer and noted the four-tiered crystal chandelier, porcelain vases, and decadent tapestries on the walls. The room practically dripped with money. Maybe she should try to squeeze a little more out of him.
She re-focused her attention on the earl several steps away. But goodness he was big. He had the broad shoulders of an athlete and she imagined that there was not a single man in all of London that could approach his height.
Based on the gossip, Rose had always assumed Lord Newburry to be more of a dandified tulip rather than the sporting corinthian that he appeared to be. Just looking at him made her feel like her throat was closing and she needed to clear it for air.
But he was a cad, and she needed to get herself together.
She clasped her hands together just below her fake belly bump, allowing the shape to show through her skirts. The next step was to introduce herself and try to recall to his memory to an event that had not actually taken place—at least, not with her. She was hoping he wouldn’t remember that. In truth, she was sure he wouldn’t.
His steely eyes slid from hers to the small fake belly bump. His brows pulled together, and he smirked. “Why do I have the devilish suspicion that you have not visited to remark on the state of the weather?”
“No, my lord,” she looked coyly down to her stomach. “I have not. In fact, Lord Newburry, I have—,”
But he cut her off. “Pardon?” he said, tilting his head toward her as if to hear her better. Was the man hard of hearing or just rude?
She took a cleansing breath and re-adjusted on her feet to start again. “I was only agreeing that, no, I have not come to remark on the weather.” She breathed. “In truth, my lord, this visit is of a more sensitive nature.”
She could see him open his mouth to argue, but she did not allow him to interrupt again. He had already set her off balance once that day and she could not let it happen again. It was important that she remained in control.
“I don’t believe I need to remind you of the…attentions you paid me a few months ago at Lord Grantham’s estate.” She continued to look at her stomach as she was sure Daphney Bellows would. Maids very rarely made eye contact with those they were serving, or anyone above their rank.
“Actually, I do need for you to remind me.”
She glanced up and saw that he had the audacity to look amused. He shook his h
ead slightly and shrugged his shoulders with the slightest of confused smiles. “Who are you and what attentions have I paid you?”
Her eyes widened in fake shock. Inwardly, she was pleased he didn’t remember. Pleased and revolted. It was a tedious business she was in.
“I was a chambermaid at Lord Grantham’s house when you came to stay. And you…well…you—” He continued to look just as amused as before with his eyebrows pulled together and a teasing grin on his mouth. She wanted to slap him. “Good heavens, must I really say it out loud, my lord?” She forced a tremble into her voice.
“I wish you would,” he said.
“You…” her eyes bounced back and forth from the green rug to his grey eyes, “You made love to me, my lord!” she finally said, willing a blush into her cheeks.
His brows shot up. “Did I, now?” Blast the man! He looked as if he were witnessing an amusing scene from a play rather than listening to a scared maid he had compromised.
Well…the face of a woman who was impersonating the maid he had compromised.
“Y-yes.” She shot her eyes back down. “Surely you remember me?” Be pitiful. She peeked up from under her lashes.
He laughed. Actually laughed. “No. But you remember me of course?”
“Of course, I do! I would never be able to forget you or the attentions you wrongly paid me.”
“Is that so?” he was still smiling.
Rose balled her hands into fists at her sides. So help her, she was going to slap that smug look right off his face.
“Yes,” she said with a little too much force in her tone. Rose took a slow breath in through her nose. “As you can see, my lord, I am now increasing and unfortunately out of the job, thanks to you.” Too much again. Why was she having such a difficult time staying in character with this man?
“And I—,” he placed his hand on his chest, “Lord Newburry—am the lucky father?”
“I know you are, my lord. There simply isn’t—,” Rose was interrupted yet again, but this time by several footmen who began marching through the foyer carrying trunks and boxes.
Lord Newburry lifted his chin to look at her over the parade of boxes and luggage. “Continue, my dear.”