A Lady In Disguise

e Missi

ur room," her stepmother said as she d

did not say I might change my

you, truly," Lady Theobald said with

terjected and for a second saw the pa

ways desired for her to call her Mother, one th

ll return to my room. No one will have to find me. Tell fat

continued to walk toward the staircase, one that was forbidden f

help him change into his evening attire. Being a maid was better, but it also allowed her father and step

xine looked over her shoulder to where the woman was standing below and her heart swelled. Rach

ldr

that is," added with a wicked smile and chuckled when her stepmother helplessly shook her head

nd her brothers were little and had caused trouble around the

ated curtsy. "I shall, my lady, and I

ed and walked away w

to retire for the night. Having carried Nicholas Everar

o her bedchamber when she heard a voice. Pushing the door just enough to allow a

here they went," a

male voice a

aw a woman in a heavy gown and a man in blac

tely aware of the gossip surrounding her and they must be two of the people who we

ed to

in hopes of revealing the Theobald bastard years ago, Maxine pulled the door open and walked ou

eet and whirled around, faces

to lurk in this p

t she was dressed as a servant and as one she ought not to

her, Maxine recognized her. She was Nicholas Everard's sister f

rt of the manor," she told the

the Everard woman. "We were lost. We sh

it t

d her head to

nd none. "That I am the bastard child of Lord Theobald?" she asked when the lady remained stupefied. There was no use wasting her t

lped. "Yes." Honest.

e

remember all the names of the Everard siblings her broth

continued to stare at Maxine. "I will not

ed. She let out a sn

is you

as she frowned. This lady

bella," the man said,

the name. "Ysabella Everard," she sai

"You have heard o

was marvellous," she countered wry

was with earlier, Ysabella Everard had a fuller face, making her look younger than her age. And if she was c

veryone." She motioned her head to his companion who looked as though he was read

ogether alone away from the party. Brushing away her curiosity, she

h

ize that it felt good to te

ace flashed before her eyes and she mentally shook her

dered, reaching for

ask a q

sabella," Ysabella's c

not say a word, wait

ept you a secret

to claw on her face. But Maxine simply frowned at her. She watched as the man took Ysabella by the el

p me a secret," she said, causing the two intruders to pause and look at her with expectant looks on their faces. "I keep myself a secret,"

ll and found the panel that was her door. She pushed it open and clo

ber greeted her w

large window across th

onlight shone down

alked back to her closet

as Everard. Had he ever wondered w

, Maxine sho

had happe

her the woman could be trusted with anything as Ysabella had kept a

*

er secret room when the door to her chamber suddenly flung open, rendering her surpris

go when a woman had found her secret r

Maxine demanded at Ysabella

continued to stare at her in panic, Ysabella added, "I am alone, I promise. I came by chance that y

re like a luncheon for a starvin

like heav

ere. She may be Samuel's friend, but she was not Ma

, tha

ose the panel door. When she faced Maxine once again, sh

tting out another sigh. There was something ab

nds before, a voic

he gave her head a little sh

would throw you out." She pointed

nd sat on the chair. "I take that you

. He is my

what to do. Surely she ought to know how to entertain a guest! "Bu

ritation. "Because I do not wis

axine's mind, as though the girl could see her heart's deepest

out this dratted weekend parties

ut if there are no guests!" w

ng over to the bed to sit. "Do

ld are

do yo

urious in

F

ing in a few weeks to signify how she had wasted twent

thoughtfully. "Samuel i

gainst his marriage even after having

to look horrified, but

nchalantly said. "So, would you ever answer m

ring wickedly. "I do play different roles during the weekend parties.

ghed. "It mu

eeded as an old maidservant. I even h

ound the room. "I ought to

axine said instead. She did not wish to

you have something to drink? I

ed where a glass and a pitcher of water stood. As she poured, Ysabella s

alked over to Ysabella

tried to preten

d? So you could e

"It is too risky. The

you fear

'd ruin my father's name if my

ly expressed t

elf and shook her head. "No, it

hen what do you plan to do for the rest of you

here." That, of course, was

round the Town dreams of what the world aboveground is like. Do you not wond

wavered. "No

hts dreaming of the rest of the world. She had read books

should start living your life without

n exciting,

sted, Maxine narrowed her eyes at the woman. "Do not tell me how I ought to

ld you change your mind, I tell you in advan

you for days, weeks and even months, but soon your scandal would

her brothers and even her father. She scoffed it

be here next year

would I be

d see y

tated. "If

send you

etters to Ysabella. "If you wish it," s

issives, dear. I do know how to make even th

behind Ysabella's statement. Ignoring the curiosity for it might merely cause t

ring what it would be like to be Ysabella Everard-t

sleep with

*

ed in the same manner it alway

Lord and Lady Theobald. Nicholas was standing behind the family like a good gentlema

ing with their friend in whispers, gigglin

ng back to his sister, causing Emma and their friend to chuckle. Ysabella made a move to hit Nicholas' arm but their mother cried out a

not hear a word, she knew she would have laughed with the Everards. She had heard stories a

ey talked and how they laughed over something. She saw it from a distance while she was dres

pts to push their daughters toward a bachelor. There were those who scolded and nagg

e the woman entered the carriage and Maxine realized she might ne

rents. They lived

was deprived by the ot

once more roam Theobald freely. She could go out and bask under one of the holes around the estate with a good book in hand.

more be conte

knew it not

omething was nagging at