Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn Read Free Book Online Page B

Victoria muttered.
    â€œ What did you say, Miss Lyndon?”
    Victoria swung around to face Lady Hollingwood, her employer. “Oh! I beg your pardon, my lady. I did not realize you were here.”
    â€œObviously,” the older lady said acidly, “or you wouldn't have called my son such filthy names.”
    Victoria didn't much think that “little monster” qualified as filthy, but she bit down her retort and instead replied, “I meant it as an endearment, Lady Hollingwood. Surely you must know that.”
    â€œI do not approve of sarcastic endearments, Miss Lyndon. I suggest that you spend your evening reflecting upon the presumptuousness of your ways. It is not your place to assign nicknames to your betters. Good day.”
    It was all Victoria could do not to gape as Lady Hollingwood turned on her heel and swept away. She didn't care if Lady Hollingwood's husband was a baron. There was no way in this world that she would ever think of five-year-old Neville Hollingwood as her better.
    She gritted her teeth and yelled, “Neville!”
    â€œMiss Lyndon!”
    Victoria groaned inwardly. Not again.
    Lady Hollingwood took a step toward her, then stopped, lifting her chin imperiously in the air. Victoria had no choice but to walk over to her and say, “Yes, my lady?”
    â€œI do not approve of your uncouth yelling. A lady never raises her voice.”
    â€œI am sorry, my lady. I was only trying to find young Master Neville.”
    â€œIf you had been watching him properly, you would not find yourself in this situation.”
    It was Victoria's opinion that the boy was as slippery as an eel and that Admiral Nelson himself couldn't have held on to him for more than two minutes, but she kept these thoughts private. Finally she said, “I am sorry, my lady.”
    Lady Hollingwood's eyes narrowed, clearly indicating that she didn't for one minute believe that Victoria's apology was sincere. “See that you behave with more decorum this evening.”
    â€œThis evening, my lady?”
    â€œThe house party, Miss Lyndon.” The older woman sighed as if it were the twentieth time she'd had to explain this to Victoria, when in truth she'd never before mentioned it. And the lower servants never spoke to Victoria, so she was rarely privy to gossip.
    â€œWe will be entertaining guests for the next few days,” Lady Hollingwood continued. “Very important guests. Several barons, a few viscounts, and even an earl. Lord Hollingwood and I move in lofty circles.”
    Victoria shivered as she remembered the one time she had had occasion to brush shoulders with the nobility. She hadn't found them particularly noble.
    Robert . His face came unbidden to her mind.
    Seven years and she could still remember every detail. The way his eyebrows arched. His laugh lines when he smiled. The way he had always tried to tell her he loved her when she least expected it.
    Robert. His words had been proven false, indeed.
    â€œMiss Lyndon!”
    Victoria snapped out of her reverie. “Yes, my lady?”
    â€œI would prefer it if you would endeavor not to cross paths with our guests, but if that proves impossible, do try to conduct yourself with the appropriate decorum.”
    Victoria nodded, really wishing that she didn't need this job so badly.
    â€œThat means you mustn't raise your voice.”
    As if anyone other than nasty Neville ever gave her cause to raise her voice. “Yes, my lady.”
    Victoria watched as Lady Hollingwood stalked off again, making sure that she was well out of sight. Then, as she resumed her search for Neville, she took great pleasure in saying, “I'm going to find you, you bloody little beast.”
    She tramped into the west garden, each step she took punctuated by a mild mental curse. Oh, if her father could hear her thoughts! Victoria sighed. She hadn't seen her family in seven long years. She still corresponded with Eleanor, but she'd never