A Lady In Disguise

ny Mon

onths

rd of the Theobald e

is light grey eyes, his expression di

ight grey globes were strikingly similar. Apart from that, ther

ring at Maxine with helplessness. There was none from the woman th

s a ba

ason why she was standing bef

e about this every ye

The woman was, in all essence, a mother to her. She raised Maxine like she did her two sons and although Maxine knew the woman d

the reasons why I choose not to join the p

rself if you so wish, dear," Rachel

u have me do? Offe

from your yearly attempts t

he party?" her

joy it-that is the

ion, eliciting a groan from his throat. "You

as though I hide for the entirety of the year! I m

e. "We do desire to present you to society, Max

be." Slanting her eyes toward her father, she added, "They would never see you the s

ine," her father said, voice st

ut of the parlor, her long black hair moving along as she did

groan before she closed the

argument before the weeke

tter aside for next year in t

the Theobald weeken

r secret bedchamber, Max

d she be t

r steps, eager

ost

would be hunting for husbands, chat with frie

doing what most of the gentleme

ld be a dif

*

ssed, vigorously shaking his head as though the sight

xine, rolling her eyes. "You

-milady,

tered, lifting her

ship will

t as the man continued to look at her warily, she asked, "Why?

behind her nape and hid the tail underneath her plain black swallow-tail coat. Her facial

e one, milady, bu

onight I am not." She rolled her eyes once more when the man continued to stare at he

ught by his lordship!

recently pro

. "Seriously, please do stop gawking. We ought to

lady," the footman said, "Because, truly, his lo

e of the maids had to ever be kicked out of service." When the man opened his mouth to protest

axine left him in his post by the driveway to stand ready to valet whoever wa

anicking footman

carry the luggage, yes, milad

s stunned

cour

k with pride although deep inside sh

raightened her back as it stopped in front of

ght to our chambers and freshe

oor of the carriage and pulled it open. A black-haired woman imme

," Maxine murmure

she possib

nd waited until another b

that they looked familiar, but she did not ponder further as a man stepped out of

rar

chosen the Ev

s before he turned to guide an older version

erard warned her children. Maxine bent

er's. The lady may not know of her, but she kne

pped out of the carriage next, gu

icholas before she started to wa

n into the estate. And she froze when she found Nicholas Eve

with earlier, hoping to swap places with him, but another carriag

nside?" asked Nicholas Everard, his tone jesti

e swa

," she said in the lowest tone she could muster. She looked up

rs, she walked to the driver and sa

taking a good look

river said, climbing on his

erself for the he

at her and she grunted. It nearl

Everard's amused voice said b

ground. The driver dropped another one, but this time she was

ed to exhaust herself with the last one. "It would help if someone forgets about them," he said with a chu

in protest as she ben

her with a combination of doubt

urned to guide the way into the estate,

er where Nicholas E

t the west or

d staircase, her back already aching

hind her. "Do you not kno

on the floor. She reached for the list inside her breast pocket. With slightly shaking hands, she searched for Nicholas Everard's name.

heard Nicholas' light

hamber, young man," he said b

t. Bloody hell, his bags were heavy! How

e right which would lead

uch a hurry, d

, silently counting the doors on the right. When they reached his chamber, she pushed

let the light from outside envelope the room. She turned and faced Nicholas Everard and fo

ing her

for the ball later tonight," he said and she immediately jumped to her feet to do as he said. She w

voice faltering at the thought, "...he

ely properly tie a cravat!"

e murmured un

valet who cannot tie a cravat! How pathet

another valet, milord? I could recomme

isguise? Surely he could not. Her square jaw was a perfect mask, her thick brows highly suggestive of

employment?" he asked instea

to report me, milord? For being a big fai

o, young lad. I meant if you wish to find another empl

ould I do i

alet, o

He walked toward her and her feet involuntarily

ght need for a valet," she uttered, clearing her th

can be arranged. My one remaining footman in residence can teach you everything you must do. I'd rather have someone flexible serving me than one who had already developed his

I am al

he Theobalds pay

d she kn

ss personal fin

of my offer. You can find me in Wickhurst. I have an apartment at the junction of Vinge Road and Dosett Street. Dare be specific with your inquiries

. "Whyever

n Guard and proud of it. You woul

mply b

e picture of her working for someone else

ot go into

Her eyes met his emerald ones and

and mesmerizing gaze with wickedness lurking at the corners, his well-shaped

nked away and took

d not wish to meet him, of course. He's had valets runni

e and nodded. "I shall

with one finger, "The apartment at the

t his seemingly childish manne

familiar name because of his scars, but the fourth brother, Nicholas Everard, was famous amongst servants and ladies alike. He was the handsome rak

aming room before my mother and sisters d

e at her, Nicholas Everard tu

d, stopping at the doorw

be asked such question. "Max," she found

"Famous! J

o not find my nam

isappeared from the room, h

room. She stared down at the open lug

iskly walked out of the room t

was no easy

holas Everard was provin