03 - The Wicked Lady (5 page)

"Here let me help you undress." The maid moved toward her.

"Rebecca, I'd like tae be honest.  I'm goin' tae have tae get used tae having a lady's maid."

Rebecca twisted her hands together, her distress showing in her face. "You're not going to send me away?"

"Nay, of course not."  Kristen patted the girl's hand to reassure her. 

After Kristen had removed her clothing, she slipped into the tub. "Saints be praised, this is heaven," she sighed, gliding all the way under.

"Oh, mum, you're not hurt?" Rebecca's voice was horrified as she pulled Kristen back up by the hair.

Kristen gave a carefree laugh, thinking it was the first time she'd felt this way in a long, long time. "I think I've died and gone tae heaven." She sighed, wiping the bubbles from her eyes.

"It's only a bath, mum."

"Tae ye maybe, but tae me, 'tis heaven.
Ye wouldn't believe how many cold baths I've taken. Would you help me wash my hair?"

"See, now you're getting the hang of it." Rebecca smiled for the first time and finally that worried look she'd been displaying disappeared.

"I guess yer right."

As Rebecca lathered Kristen's hair, she said, "I want to thank you for not saying anything about me sending you to the kitchen."

"The way I see it," Kristen reached over and took Rebecca's hand in hers, "we're going tae be friends." Kristen squeezed Rebecca's arm. "I'll protect ye, and ye can protect me. Deal?"

"Deal."

"Ye know, I've never had a friend before."

Rebecca broke into an open, friendly smile. "Well, you have one now."

When the bath was finished -- much to Kristen's disappointment -- she sat patiently while Rebecca dried her hair in front of the fireplace. It was the end of March and the air still held the sting of cold. She felt so guilty indulging in all this pampering. Quickly, she banished the thought. She was probably dreaming, and someone was bound to wake her up shortly.

"You have beautiful hair, mum."

"I don't like it. 'Tis much tae thick and it 'tisn't the same color like everyone else's. I wish it was a lovely brown or black."

"But that's what makes it so different. It shimmers like gold, yet it sparkles with fire. When we have more time, I'll arrange it in a different way for you."

"I guess I better get dressed so we can go out." Kristen stood up, dreading to put back on her old dress, but knowing she had no choice. "Have ye ever been tae this place before?"

"Oh no, mum."  Rebecca rushed over to get Kristen's dress. "But I get to go with you today to help advise you." She held the dress up for Kristen. "I'm kind of excited to be going for an outing."

"It will be nice tae have your company."

"Do you want to see yerself in the looking glass before we go?"

"Looking glass?"

"Yes, mum. To see how you look." Rebecca pointed to the mirror at the far end of the room. Kristen hadn't even noticed it this morning.

Rebecca’s eyebrows raised inquiringly. "Surely you've seen your reflection before?"

Kristen felt her checks heat. "Actually, I've only seen myself in store windows. We never had need of such things."

Rebecca took Kristen's elbow and guided her to the long mirror. "Well, it is truly a shame because you are very beautiful."

Kristen stared at her reflection with the fascination of a child seeing something truly rare for the first time. Hesitantly, she reached up and touched her face. When had she grown up? The years all seemed a blur, and it was sad to think that she didn't remember any of them being happy.

"Why do you look so sad?" Rebecca said, bringing Kristen out of her trance. "You have to be pleased with a face like yours."

"I know this sounds silly . . ." Kristen touched her cheeks. "But 'tis hard tae believe 'tis really me." She turned to her new friend. "I've not lived a very normal life, I'm afraid."

The connecting door sprang open, and Hagan barged in. "Did you have to take a bath too, Kristen?"

Kristen's hand fell to her side, the mirror forgotten. "Aye, the tub 'twas a big one."

"Aye.  I told that Ruby lady that I could wash myself 'cause I'm a big boy."

"You are that." Rebecca smiled.

"Who are you?" Hagan's curiosity immediately registered in his eyes.

"I'm your sister's maid."

"Huh?"

"Sorry, Rebecca, but everythin' has tae be explained tae my brother." Kristen turned to Hagan. "She's going to help me with my clothes and hair and accompany me when I go places. She's called a lady's maid."

"You mean help you get dressed like you used to help me?" He giggled, truly enjoying himself.

"That's right."  Kristen said and waited for the next why.

"Why?"

"Hagan!"  Her smiled faded replaced with a frown. "Ye'd drive a person tae drink with ye infernal questions, but ye answer is because that's the way things are done."

"I hate it when you change your voice like that." He was crestfallen, his smile faded for just a moment.

"Sometimes 'tis the only way tae get through tae ye."

Hagan stared at her a moment then grinned.  "If you need help, Kristen, you need help . . . nothing to be ashamed of." At that he ran for the door and was gone before she could catch him.

Kristen looked at a laughing Rebecca. "Do ye have brothers?"

"Afraid so." She nodded and held up two fingers. "Two of them."

"Yer poor, lass.  I feel sorry for ye."

They both laughed, then proceeded downstairs, prepared for the day's adventure.

O
utside the three-storied, brick town house, a carriage drawn by two black horses stood motionless while a footman held the horses' bridles. The sleek black carriage wasn't as fancy as some Kristen had seen. Perhaps, it was a clue to the mysterious Duke's personality, she thought. So far she hadn't found Trevor Claremont a man to flaunt his wealth, but she knew absolutely nothing else about him. What was he really like?  Then again what difference did it really make? She probably wouldn't be with him that long. She thought of this arrangement as a temporary condition . . . one that would keep her out of jail.

A young, but somber, footman held the door open, his other hand extended to assist her into the carriage. Once inside, she found lush wine-colored cushions and drapes secured with gold cords at each window. The inside was much fancier than the outside. She wondered where the others were, but she didn't have long to wait for her answer.

Claremont entered and settled next to her. Next Hagan and Rebecca made an appearance and sat across from them.

When the door was closed. The carriage moved forward, and Kristen found the ride very smooth. She pulled back the curtain, so she could see outside, marveling at the world as it passed. People walked down the sidewalks as if they had naught a care in the world. The women's elaborate hats probably cost more than she'd seen in a life time. They rode through Hyde Park passing several stylish carriages.

Here no one darted across the street, trying to find hiding places in fear of his life. No one lounged in a doorway, sleeping off last night's supper of whiskey. And no one looked hungry or cold. These people were so far removed from the “real” world.  Kristen sighed. Could she somehow forget the place she'd come from? At the moment, she didn't have an answer to her question. She doubted she could ever forget some of the things she'd witnessed.

Hagan talked non-stop and Rebecca patiently answered all his "whys." The funny thing was how fast Hagan had adapted to their new situation. Maybe because he was so young, he would be able to put the past behind him.

"You're very quiet, Kristen," Trevor said. He leaned over and whispered, "Is something bothering you?"

His whispered question felt like a feather on the back of her neck, and she jumped as a chill ran over her. What was the matter with her? She couldn't let this man affect her this way. She barely knew him.  Yet the minute he touched or looked at her, she couldn't seem to think straight.

Pulling back from the window, she looked at Trevor. "It's just that--"  She searched for the right words and hesitated when she saw his intense stare, as if he were truly worried about her. She wanted to reach out and touch his cheek, but knew she shouldn't. "I've never ridden in a carriage before."

Trevor smiled. When she stared at him again with that wide-eyed look,
he saw her rare beauty. She'd bring any man to his knees. When she let down that guard of hers, the one she used so effectively to protect herself, she became a child-woman, and the combination fascinated him.

Kristen was as fresh as a sunny morning, not corrupted by the
ton
like so many of the others he'd known. Things he took for granted, she thought of as luxury. Had he grown so distant from the things around him that he'd truly become as cynical as the rest? Had he learned to accept all the things he despised about the
ton
? God, he hoped not.  Maybe that was another reason he needed Kristen.

"I hope this will be the first of many things I will show you," he said as he leaned over so
only she could hear. Her answering blush only heightened his desire and pleasure.

"I will escort you to Grafton House, and Rebecca
will stay to assist you while I take Master Hagan to another shop for men."

"Us me
n have to have our own place." Hagan grinned at his sister. "We don't need that girl stuff."

Kristen reached over and patted Hagan on the knee. "Ye have a little growin' tae do, young man, so ye mind yer manners."

"Ah, Kristen."

The sleek carriage came to a halt in front of a small linen-draper's shop that did
n't look very important at all. As they disembarked, two elegant ladies dressed in fancy velvets and silk were emerging from Grafton House, but they stopped suddenly when they saw Trevor step from the carriage.

"Your Grace." They both curtsied. One of the ladies tapped him on the arm. "It is so nice to have you back in town. You have been very naughty by ignoring us for so long,"
the younger lady said as she batted her eyes flirtatiously.

Kristen watched through the carriage window. The other girl had the same coloring, and it was evident she was daughter of the grand lady.  She smiled at Trevor. "Are you attending the Cranford bash?
Everyone’s bound to be there."  She giggled nervously.

Since Trevor was occupied with the two women, the footman helped everyone else from the carriage and they started for the door of the small shop.

"I haven't made plans yet, ladies. It was good to see you." Trevor nodded, dismissing them both as if they were pesky flies. "If you'll excuse me."

He opened the shop door for Rebecca and Hagan who entered the place, followed by Kristen, but not before she turned and said, "How can ye miss such a
lovely invitation?" She batted her eyes as she'd seen the other lady do. Trevor gave her a smile that sent her pulse racing as he gently pushed her through the door.

"Who's Cranford going to hit?"  Hagan whispered behind his hand to Trevor.

Trevor chuckled. "In this instance it doesn't mean hit. Bash means a party."

Hagan digested the information. "Really? Can I go?"

"May I," Trevor corrected automatically. "Afraid not. It's only for your elders."

Kristen smiled at the patience that Claremont displayed with her brother. He would probably make a good father someday. Then she shook that notion right out of her head. She didn't want to be attracted to this man. How many times did she have to remind herself? She needed to keep her wits about her, so when it came time for her and Hagan to leave, she could do so without any regrets. A marriage could not survive without love.

A lady appeared from the back. Her blonde hair was streaked with strands of white and pulled up high into a chignon. Her
Teray
velvet dress was a rich brown with a standing collar.

"Your Grace, what a pleasure to have you once again in my shop. Word was sent that I am to be clothing your fiancée. Will she be coming shortly? I see she has sent her maids ahead."

"Rubbish." Kristen started for the door, but Trevor caught her by the elbow and brought her next to him. She thought about jabbing him in the ribs with her elbow, but he must have expected such a move, and held her firmly within his grasp.

"You are mistaken, Madam Marie." His brow raised. "This is Lady Kristen, my future wife."

Kristen watched the woman's face flush the color of a ripe apple, but she didn't question him. At the moment, she seemed at a loss for the right word.

"And I'm Master Hagan."

"As I was saying . . ." Trevor cut his eyes at Hagan with a warning. "Kristen is in need of a complete wardrobe as hers has been stolen. Plus the few lessons that I spoke to you about earlier. Kristen was raised in a convent and has been shut away from society."

Kristen looked sharply at Trevor. The man was daft!

"What's a convent?" Hagan chimed in.