“Oh, please.” Lady Eldridge tightly clasped her hand around Tia’s.
The footman immediately rose and strode toward them. “My lady, might I be of assistance?”
“Bring the carriage around to us.”
“B—but I mustn’t leave you alone,” he stammered. “Lord Eldridge will have my head if something befalls you.”
“Miss Featherstone will be my companion while you summon the carriage. She will also accompany me back to the house.”
The footman scowled at Tia and then nodded. “Of course, ma’am.”
“Ma’am?” Tia swore softly. “I am most likely older than you and he would never deem it necessary to call me ma’am.”
Lady Eldridge laughed. “In Society, it’s all about who you are and with whom you associate. Now that I have decided you and I shall be fast friends, he will have no choice but to treat you with the respect you deserve.”
Tia almost laughed. Respect? Did she deserve respect from anyone after leaving her position as the wise woman for Middleton’s estate and then running off to London to save his brother? Most people would assume she was a strumpet for chasing after Jonathon. No one knew the truth of the matter of why she felt the need to follow him. It was purely for his safety. Not that she’d managed to find one sign of him yet.
“Tia?”
“I’m sorry, my lady—”
“Emily.”
Tia blinked. “Pardon me?”
“You will call me Emily,” she said as they ambled across the park.
Tia had no idea what to say. From what she’d heard, Lady Eldridge’s request was most uncommon. Ladies in Society wanted to look down on the lower classes and the use of their titles was the easiest way to do so. “I couldn’t possibly call you by your Christian name.”
“Of course you can. I decide who calls me Lady Eldridge and who calls me Emily.” Emily glanced to the ground. “I could use a friend in London. Like you, I’m from the country. I don’t have that many true friends and none in town. But I believe you and I shall be wonderful companions.”
“I shan’t be here long enough for that to happen, my lady.” Tia bit down on her lower lip. She actually liked Emily and had felt an instant connection that warmed her heart. Back in the Midlands, her only real friends were her twin sister Mia and their mutual friend Selina.
“And why not? I know it’s not the Season, but there are still many people in London who prefer to stay in town.”
“Lord Middleton has decided that we should return to the estate posthaste.”
Emily laughed as they reached the street. “Middleton? He is one of the worst of the group.”
“Perhaps, but now that he is the viscount I believe he feels a need to be more responsible and that includes taking care of his estate.” Tia had no idea if that were true or not. She also had no idea why she was defending him to someone who most likely knew him better than she did.
“He’s a rake, through and through,” Emily added with a hint of scorn.
Tia only shrugged as she clamored into the carriage. She sat back against the velvet squabs with a long sigh. Beautiful red satin lined the enclosed carriage. She had never been privileged to sit in such luxury. The post carriage was far from plush.
“What is wrong?” Emily asked as the carriage rolled down Brooke Street.
“Nothing,” she replied softly.
Emily cocked a blond brow at her. “Indeed? As much as you can tell I am feeling unwell, I can tell you are bothered by something. Now, what is wrong?”
Tia stared down at her ugly brown dress. “I do not belong in such a beautiful carriage. Perhaps I should return to Middleton’s home now.” The last thing she wanted to do was face the irate man who only wanted her to return to the Midlands, but starting a friendship with a lady like Emily seemed improper. They were from very different stations in life. And once Tia left London, she doubted she would get the opportunity to visit for a very long time.
“No, you said you would help me feel better.” Her face scrunched. “And you will do that.”
“I shall help you and then return.”
“Perhaps,” Emily mumbled.