Fortunately, Araminta was as adept as the young woman before her at keeping her wits in check. It would be best not to gloat if she wanted the girl to be useful to her, which she certainly did. “So, telling me you hated me and that I should lend you my gowns whenever you want something in the first stare was your reason for wanting to meet me? I must say, this is all rather a shock.”
Her half-sister—she choked on the term—was gazing anxiously at her as she obviously decided to alter her approach. Oh, Araminta could sense her insincerity a mile away as she said demurely, “I am sorry I said that. However I’m truly grateful that you saw fit to allow me to wear your dress for an afternoon. Besides, I’ve always wondered...about you.”
“Have you indeed? But let’s return to this important gentleman you were required to sketch. Have you told me everything? You look like the sort who would keep secrets.” Araminta decided she could dismiss the threat she’d originally feared that Miss Hazlett might pose. With no social status, Miss Hazlett could never be a likely prospect for any gentleman upon whom Araminta set her sights. Certainly not anyone in Sir Aubrey or Lord Debenham’s league.
In the meantime, there was this unexpected foray into subterfuge to enjoy. Life could sometimes be so deadly dull, even when she was feted by admirers at every turn. And decidedly, this Miss Hazlett was going to be useful in passing on information regarding the more interesting of these admirers. Like Sir Aubrey.
“So, this sketch you clearly executed with passable results...” Araminta considered the information, thoughtfully. “You will no doubt be doing more of this sort of thing in future.” She tapped her fingers upon the top of the garden fence that separated them. It was not hard to see how desperate the girl was to sample more of what she’d tasted the previous day. Perhaps she’d already set her cap at some out-of-reach nonpareil. Well, that would be interesting to observe, though could only result in disappointment for Miss Hazlett.
Araminta took the parcel from her and leaned her head closer. “I cannot but be repulsed by who you are, but the fact remains that we can, I believe, be useful to one another.” She gave a decisive nod. “Yes! You can be my little spy in return for the means I provide that will enable you to gain entry to similar entertainments.”
The girl cut her off. “I see little chance of that happening. I’m a governess and I have two little girls to take charge of.”
Irritated as she always was when anything interfered with her plans, Araminta glowered. Then her brow cleared. “So this Master Cosmo fancies himself as a portraitist, does he? Oh, don’t look at me like that! Of course, I guessed the truth.” Araminta laughed. “And that he wishes to be one of us. His family aspires to be like us. Like me, I mean. Oh, do say he has a sister about to make her debut? Good Lord! That’s too marvelous. In order to achieve my aims, I shall work my magic so that you’re given the time off to do as I require. Never at the same entertainment as me, you understand. But there will be occasions when you will be useful.
“Meanwhile, you can help Master Cosmo see his way to becoming London’s finest portraitist. You can sketch his portraits for him and I can have you supply me with the information I’m interested in. And I thought this was going to be the dreariest second season ever!”
***
Despite concerns over the potential pitfalls of Araminta’s plans, Lissa returned home in high spirits that were quickly quashed.
One minute she’d been imagining herself the belle of the ball, dressed in her half-sister’s glorious diaphanous creations, the next minute her arm had been snatched by Cosmo, who hauled her into the gloomy cavity beneath the stairs.
His eyes were black with anger in his pasty white face as he raked his fingers through his fashionable ?
?Titus’ coiffure. “Lord Debenham is highly pleased by his sketch, which I presented this morning.” He pursed his thin lips. “I told him I’d executed it from a brief study of him yesterday and now it seems half of the ton wants something similar! What am I to do?”
Lissa drew back at his agitation. She’d seen him in such moods when he completely lost control and now that she was alone with him, she was frightened. First, he paced between the stairs and the end of the corridor, then he loomed over her, clearly using his height and bulk to intimidate her. “A pretty state of affairs this is, isn’t it?”
“I thought that was what you wanted.”
This didn’t seem to be the right approach. Lissa thought quickly. Cosmo was volatile and she’d seen him smash the nearest item at hand during his temper tantrums. But now she had an answer that she was reasonably sure would placate him.
Careful that she gave no sign of being intimidated, she managed calmly, “I carried off yesterday’s charade with no one being the wiser, and, only today, I’ve ensured a regular supply of suitable gowns for any occasion, Master Cosmo. Moreover, I have befriended a viscount’s daughter, who has promised to introduce Miss Maria to any potential suitor whose interest she cares to engage. There! I hope you are as delighted as your sister will be. Just tell me who you wish me to sketch and I’ll find the means to do it.”
She swallowed, for this was the difficult bit. “I’ll just need some pin money for my pains.”
Instead of greeting this with relief, his face turned red. “Pay you?” He looked horrified. “But you’re a governess. You live under our roof, enjoying our food and shelter and protection. Why should I pay you?” His shoulders slumped. “How can I when I have no money?”
A surge of anger stiffened Lissa’s spine. “Didn’t you and Lord Debenham come to some agreement over ‘your’ sketch of him? Are you to paint or sketch half of London for no return?” She turned to go. “I’m sorry for your predicament, Master Cosmo. Perhaps someone else can help you.”
“No!” Once again his unwelcome touch was upon her as he snatched her wrist, pulling her back to him. “I’ll give you a shilling for each painting.”
“I want half of the agreed amount, and if I am clever enough to rub shoulders with those you paint, then I will find out what the going rate is.”
“One-third.”
“Agreed.” Lissa stepped back, out of his hateful aura. She’d won this round, and soon she’d enjoy a taste of all the wonders that had been denied her. She’d also have a little money for the first time in her life. Money that might in some way pave the way for the life she’d always wanted: a husband she cared for and a family. And definitely a carriage.
She didn’t need the trappings of high society but in her present dowerless state, bearing the indelible stain of illegitimacy, she hadn’t, until just now, seen how she could possibly ever have a husband, much less a carriage.
Chapter Five
On this gray, drizzly and miserable afternoon, it wasn’t the poor state of the weather that accounted for Ralph’s dismal mood but the task set for him by his employer.
For over a year, he’d done Lord Debenham’s bidding. Well, his master had been Mr. Carruthers back then, newly returned from the West Indies with pockets lined with gold. A cousin’s death had elevated him to the peerage, and Ralph’s mother had been in transports when Ralph had secured the position of secretary to the soon-to-be-elevated Lord Debenham.
Her distress had been almost comical when Ralph had declared some months ago he simply couldn’t continue; that the demands were so overreaching and the man’s contempt of his supposed inferiors so strong, it made Ralph’s daily job a nightmare.