Free The Perks of Being a Beauty by Manda Collins Page B

Fotheringham would not let Amelia’s public slight pass without retaliation. Fortunately, Amelia was ready.

Chapter Six
    The next morning arrived with enough sunshine to offset the rain of the day before. Harriet, determined that her party should be a success, insisted that the guests embark upon a long walk into the nearby village of Little Inchmore. They would partake of tea at the local inn, and later shop a little in the town’s business district, which might afford some of them the opportunity to find the next items in the hunt, everyone having received their clues at ten o’clock sharp.
    Amelia, who had received a cold shoulder from every other young lady with the exception of Harriet, tried to keep a smile on her face when Quentin excused himself to speak to Mr. Smithson for a moment after they’d decided to search for their next clue in the village. Clearly Miss Fotheringham had been hard at work ensuring that none of the other young ladies, aside from Harriet, chose to confide in her for any but the most general of reasons.
    “I hope we’re to leave soon, Harriet,” she said in bright voice that sounded false even to her own ear. “After being cooped up because of yesterday’s rain, I’d love to get out in the sun.”
    “Really, Miss Snowe,” chided Miss Fotheringham, “you forget your place. Surely it is up to Miss Smithson to decide when we are to leave.”
    But Harriet would have none of it. Stepping forward and slipping her arm though Amelia’s she said sharply, “But I treasure Miss Snowe’s opinion, I assure you, Miss Fotheringham. Indeed, she is my closest confidante.”
    “Really?” the other girl said with exaggerated astonishment. “I cannot imagine trusting a servant like that.”
    The words hung in the air for a moment, like a declaration of war waiting to be acknowledged.
    Finally, Amelia inclined her head. “Touché, Miss Fotheringham. I am a mere servant. And I know of course how little you value them .” She caught the other girl’s eye. “Why only yesterday I saw you proving as much to one of the housemaids…” she began.
    Miss Fotheringham, realizing what Amelia meant, stiffened. “Not that it’s any of your business, but the girl was behaving abominably. Miss Smithson, you really must speak to your mother about the quality of the housemaids she employs.”
    “Isn’t Mary assigned to your room?” Harriet asked, with a frown. “She’s usually a very biddable and sweet-natured girl.”
    “Well, perhaps she wished to show her independent streak before a visitor rather than to the family who employs her,” Miss Fotheringham said coldly. “I find that many servants like to take advantage of guests like that. Also she probably assumed that since I am beautiful I must also be easy to manipulate. Which is far from the case, let me assure you.”
    Amelia wasn’t sure whether she was appalled more by the girl’s attitude toward the servants, or her taking it for granted that everyone thought her beautiful. It was really too much.
    Before she or Harriet could say anything however, Quentin returned and spoke up. “If I recall correctly you had similar problems when you last stayed at my parents’ estate. It seems strangely coincidental that such trouble would follow wherever you go, Miss Fotheringham. Could it be that the problem is not the servants, but you?”
    Since she was hardly going to correct a duke’s son on the matter, Miss Fotheringham simply gnashed her teeth and smiled. “You may be right, my lord,” she said finally. “I shall simply endure until it comes time to leave.”
    “Excellent,” Amelia said, giving Quentin a large smile. “I for one am quite ready to embark on our journey to the village. Let us gather up the other gentlemen and see if they are ready to go, shall we?”
    “Yes, indeed,” Harriet said, heading toward the drawing room, leaving the other ladies and Quentin to follow them.
    The gentlemen were indeed on the terrace and soon the