Free Hope's Betrayal by Grace Elliot Page A

out.
    "Miss
Tyler, this way, if you please."
    It was clear
from the butler's expression he thought this a dubious request. Hope smiled
wanly, knowing she'd have to get used to condescension.
    She found
Captain Huntley pacing the hall and he acknowledged her with a curt nod.
    "Ah, there
you are. I've sent for Mrs Brown. She will sort you out."
    "Thank you,
Captain." Hope fidgeted. Captain Huntley filled her senses, making it
difficult to act naturally. From his hawkish brow to that curl of hair behind
his ear, he touched her deep inside. She swore he had trembled when he held her
on the dock, and yet now seemed to despise her so. Never had she met anyone who
confused her in such a way, with the ability to frighten and excite her at the
same time. They waited for the housekeeper, awkward in each other's company.
    "We are a
kitchenmaid short. Clothing and bed provided, wages paid quarterly." A
dark brow arched in challenge. "I take it you are not above menial
work."
    "Of course
not."
    Huntley grimaced,
"Good. Now, what's taking her so long? Couldn’t Jenkins find the blasted
woman?"
    "George!
Language, please!" In a rustle of silk Lady Ryevale descended the stairs.
"Ah, Miss Tyler. There has been a change of plan?"
    "Mother,
meet the new kitchenmaid."
    Slowly, Lady
Ryevale shook her head. "George, what have you done?"
    "You
disapprove? It was at your suggestion we offer Miss Tyler employment. So I
did."
    "Oh
no!" Lady Ryevale stood tall, looking every inch the imperious matriarch.
"Oh no, I'm not having it."
    Huntley looked
stricken. "You're not?"
    "Absolutely
not. Miss Tyler is no maid." Her ladyship drummed her manicured fingers on
the banister. "I will train Miss Tyler as my secretary."
    "Mother,
such a position of trust is out of the question."
    Unperturbed,
Lady Ryevale inclined her head towards Hope and smiled. "Sometimes my son
forgets who's in charge here."
    Huntley
spluttered. "Mother, this cannot be."
    "How so,
dear?" She asked all innocence.
    "Because
even having Miss Tyler as kitchenmaid puts my career in jeopardy. To have her
privy to estate business…is…is unthinkable."
    "Hope has
beautiful handwriting, is quick to learn and I'm sure will prove most
conscientious and discrete."
    "That's not
what I mean and you know it."
    Hope watched
with alarm as Captain Huntley turned from red to puce. With cool disregard for
her son’s outrage, Lady Ryevale continued.
    "For an age
I have been asking for help with estate business. Charles shows no inclination,
you are away so much and with Jack newly married—Miss Tyler is the perfect
solution. You will agree, won’t you, Hope dear?"
    Hope drew in a
breath but the black look in Huntley’s eye influenced her reply.
    “That is a kind
and generous offer, Lady Ryevale, but one I must decline.”
    The Captain
deflated.
    “Nonsense, why
ever not?”
    Hope thought
quickly. “My skills are limited…and my manners…unconventional. I lack…the
refinement necessary to be your secretary.’
    “Oh well, if
that’s all, it will be a pleasant diversion to broaden your education.”
    From the corner
of her eye Hope saw the Captain grow large with indignation.
    “And besides, I
am grateful for the position of kitchenmaid. I wouldn’t want to put Captain
Huntley in an awkward situation.”
    “Heavens, George
has faced Napoleon, he can cope with a little gossip.”
    Hope actually
felt sorry for Captain Huntley, clearly when Lady Ryevale made up her mind he
didn’t stand a chance.
    “So, it’s
decided?" Lady Ryevale smiled benignly.
    Before Huntley
could reply, Mrs Brown came waddling along the hall.
    "Captain
Huntley, you sent for me?"
    A shiny-faced
woman with ruddy cheeks and a double chin, dusted her hands on her apron.
    "Indeed,"
Lady Ryevale broke into a beaming smile. "Please make up a room on the
same floor as my bedchamber. Miss Tyler is joining our household."
    "Very good,
Ladyship. Will that be all?"
    "Hmm. In
due course, send a message to Mrs Locke in the village.