The Downstairs Maid by Rosie Clarke

Author:Rosie Clarke
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781448177110
Publisher: Ebury Publishing

Chapter 25

‘I’m so glad you were given leave and chose to spend it with me,’ Amy said, looking fondly at her brother across the restaurant table. It was a busy, expensive place with crisp white linen, good china and excellent service. ‘Lizzie will be so disappointed when she realises she has missed having lunch with you.’

‘I adore Lizzie; she’s a darling, but sometimes it’s nice to talk to you alone, Amy. How are you enjoying your visit to town?’ Nicolas asked.

‘Very much. I’ve been to lots of meetings and visited some friends.’

‘You’ll be going home to the manor in a few days?’

‘Yes, unless I’m asked to join a voluntary association in London. If I were stationed here it would be wonderful. There are so many things I should like to do – including some that Papa might not approve of.’

‘Like what?’ He raised his brows at her. ‘I am your brother, Miss Barton. I hope you’re not thinking of doing anything I wouldn’t do – and some things I would?’

Amy’s laughter rang out, because her brother was such a tease. If only she could find a man who amused her and made her laugh the way Nicolas did she would be happy to marry. For a moment she thought of Sir Arthur and the look in his eyes when he’d withdrawn his offer of marriage. Had he hoped she would refuse and declare that she would marry him whatever the scandal?

Amy had found the interview more painful than she could have imagined, because she truly liked him, but her father had been adamant that she must break it off and Arthur had done the decent thing by stepping back. Yet she’d regretted it so much, missing his company and the luxury of being adored and given expensive gifts. She’d missed being taken out and treated like a princess. Marriage to Arthur would have been very comfortable and yet there had been a part of her that had felt relief.

In answer to her brother’s question, she said, ‘I don’t want to get stuck on the society treadmill. I was thinking of visiting museums, shops, parks and gardens, the theatre – and perhaps a Suffragette meeting. I know they’ve stopped making trouble for the duration of the war, but they still meet, though now, it’s to discuss how they can help the war effort.’

Nicolas looked as if he agreed and changed the subject, telling her about his training for the RFC. Caught by his enthusiasm, it was a while before Amy realised that someone was staring at them hard from two tables away.

He was dressed with a sartorial elegance that made him stand out from every other man in the room, his clothes suitable for town but with a rakish air that made her think he would look his best dressed for riding. His hair was very dark, his complexion touched with olive tones and his eyes such a dark brown that they looked black with just a hint of silver in their depths.

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