DECEITFUL PROMISES
“Miss
Blackwell,” Caroline greeted, noting Lydia as cold and calculating as when
they’d first met. “Thank you for meeting me here.”
Caroline
knew Miss Blackwell’s blackened reputation of attempted seduction. The desire
not to be in service for the rest of her life to the women she longed to become
one day led her straight into Oscar’s plans. It was even rumored she’d
attempted murder on several occasions as a means of revenge for being rejected.
Fortunately for Miss Blackwell, there wasn’t any proof.
Lydia
grew up knowing what it meant being a servant. Her childhood had been spent
observing her mother working in the kitchen of a highly influential family in
New York City. As she grew older, Lydia herself worked her way up to become a
lady’s maid; several steps up from the kitchen maid her mother had been. After
years of attempted seduction of her various mistresses’ husbands to elevate her
social standing, followed by several dismissals, it was her misguided ambition
to be part of society that led her to her current situation—and into the
clutches of The Lion of 5th Avenue.
“I
was beginning to think I’d been abandoned,” Lydia snipped.
“Have
your trunks arrived?” Caroline asked, ignoring the snide remark.
“Yes,
I believe Mr. Dawson had everything sent down this morning,” Lydia
replied, smoothing her already perfect coiffured hair. “There were several
trunks, if I recall.”
“Very
well,” Caroline said, reaching for Lydia’s elbow only to have it withdrawn.
“Shall we find your compartment, Miss Blackwell?”
“I’m
sure the private compartment will be easy to locate, Madam Harper,” Lydia
sneered, waving a hand in dismissal.
“Of
course it is! Now, we should go, or you might miss the train altogether,”
Caroline suggested, clasping her hands together. “I gather you have all you
need for your journey?”
“Mr.
Dawson has provided me with money, new clothes, and a future rich husband. What
else would you think I’d need?” Lydia replied, tugging at the white suit with
pink appliques.
“I
heard Mr. Dawson had taken ill the past few days. How did he seem to you?”
Caroline asked. She may not care for Oscar Dawson, but she didn’t wish an
illness even on someone like him.
“How
should I know? Whatever it is I’m sure he will be feeling much better soon,”
Lydia replied, not an ounce of compassion in her cold eyes.
~ ~ ~ ~
Amazon
US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPGL6NCT
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FPGL6NCT
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