Miss Goldsleigh's Secret by Amylynn Bright Read Free Book Online Page A

daughters out now. It won’t make one whit of difference if we add one more.”
    “But I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to repay you. I hope with clean clothes I can get employment as a governess, otherwise I am completely without means.” Olivia stared at her hands. “I don’t know how much of my situation Penelope told you, but I have nothing but my name”—
and I can’t even use it if I expect to be hired anywhere—
“and it’s not as if it’s a well-known name, after all. I have no money, no dowry. I don’t know why any man would want me.”
    Aunt Evelyn responded, her voice gentle but stern. “Penelope has told us your basic tale, but it is enough for us to know you have suffered a great deal. Also, you are a very brave and intelligent young lady. Granted, you don’t have a dowry, but not all gentlemen marry for money. You have a respectable name, you come from a quality family, and not least of all, you are a very lovely young woman. You have much to offer a gentleman.”
    Vivienne listened to her sister with a smile. “My sister is right, dear, and you can’t let her down. For as much as she has loved my daughters, she has never had a pet of her own to dress for the season.”
    “Vivienne! Don’t get fresh.” Evelyn gave her sister’s hand a playful slap. “I assure you, I’m not trying to dress a
pet
, Olivia. But there is no reason you shouldn’t allow us to sponsor you. There is every possibility you may meet a wonderful man and get married. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? You don’t get engaged, but you enjoy all the season has to offer and have fun.”
    Vivienne added, “And you get to make an old lady happy.”
    “You’re three years older than me and don’t you forget it, you old harpy,” Evelyn countered.
    What’s the worst that could happen? Oh sweet Jesus, there were so many horrible things. Not even counting the fact she and Warren could be found and carted off to Newgate. Or hanged… Her breath caught in her throat, and she hiccupped a desperate, gasping wheeze. While the sisters argued good-naturedly, Olivia ruthlessly got herself under control so she could think clearly.
    In all reality, she was from a small village in a tiny county in England. Few people outside of academic circles had ever heard of her father or her family or, by extension, her. What were the odds news of Reginald’s death had actually reached London? So far, neither Warren nor she had heard proof or rumor they were being hunted. Up to this point, they’d been exceedingly vigilant. Besides, the men after her wouldn’t be looking for her in ballrooms, right? If she was careful—if she married—she’d change her name and then she’d never be found.
    What the ladies offered was enticing. She had to admit it to herself. It was true, she’d never received a season, and she couldn’t deny she’d wanted one. Didn’t every girl want one? She and her mother, and later her stepmother, had spoken of it with great excitement, almost reverence, as if it was a fairy tale full of handsome gentlemen and ballrooms. But one thing after another had altered the course of her life. She hadn’t thought of it in ages.
    If nothing else, perhaps she’d make some connections she could use to garner employment after the season ended. She didn’t know what she would do with Warren if she took a governess position, but perhaps… Maybe she could gain employment as a shopgirl? She could sew. She’d had plenty of experience shelving books in her father’s library. Oh, she didn’t know. It was so futile. She had no experience to offer a family as a governess and certainly no references to give potential employers. She needed a husband if she was going to provide for her brother. Perhaps, if she married well enough, she could repay some of the kindness shown her by this family.
    It was reprehensible that she was even considering this.
    It’s a means to an end.
    “Lady Langford, Lady Dalton.”