Megan came in. She was in her early twenties, and of medium height, with a small-waisted figure and heavy nut-brown hair that was pinned up beneath a white muslin day bonnet. Her mustard wool gown was high-waisted and tightly buttoned at the cuffs, and there was a plain white shawl around her shoulders. Her face was striking rather than pretty, for her mouth was a little too wide and her nose perhaps a fraction too straight, but her complexion was without fault. Her eyes, light brown and melting, were respectfully lowered as she came in and closed the door.
Evangeline's heart quickened, for the likeness was quite uncanny, especially those eyes. She drew herself up sharply. Don't let your heart rule your head completely! "Look at me, girl, and come closer, that I may see you properly," she instructed.
Megan obeyed, and then asked. "Why do you wish to see me, Lady Evangeline?"
The question was answered with another. "Does my name mean anything to you, Miss Mortimer?"
"I have heard Lady Jane Strickland speak of you, and know that you are to spend Christmas with her this year, but that is all I know. Lady Jane was my last employer," Megan added.
"Yes, I am aware of that. So my name has never been mentioned in the past? Before you went to Lady Jane?" Evangeline held her breath.
"Before?" Puzzlement shadowed Megan's eyes. "No, Lady Evangeline."
Well, that was only to be expected, Evangeline supposed. "May I inquire why you left Lady Jane's employ?" Let's see how discreet the girl could be.
Megan met her inquisitor's gimlet gaze. "I left because I felt it was time to make a fresh start."
"Pastures new?"
"Yes."
"Hmm. And you have made this momentous decision immediately before Christmas, when you have no new position to go to, and no reference either? With all due respect, I find that hard to believe."
"I came here because I knew of a post with the wife of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, but the place has been filled. There is an element of doubt, however, so I thought it might be prudent to stay for a few days, in case the vacancy should arise again. When Mr. Ramsbotham told me someone wished to see me, my first thought was that it was someone from the Bishop's Palace." Megan avoided Evangeline's eyes, for the truth of it was that her lack of a suitable reference from Lady Jane had raised doubts in the mind of the bishop's wife.
Evangeline smiled. "I commend your reticence, Miss Mortimer, for I know you to have been greatly wronged by Ralph Strickland and his wretched wife." She saw hot, embarrassed color flood into Megan's cheeks, and went on. "Ralph is known to my nephews, who speak of him as an unconscionable womanizer, and as for Sophia, well she is a Garsington, and her family are my near neighbors in Brighton. That is a misfortune for both Brighton and me, I assure you. Now, then, enough of others, for I wish to know more about you, my dear. You told Lady Jane that you were left destitute on the unfortunate early demise of your parents?"
"Yes. My father owned a modest Northamptonshire estate called Berengers, and my mother was from a noble but far from wealthy Scottish family. They died in a boating accident in the Lake District eight years ago, when I was a pupil at a seminary for young ladies in Bath. It transpired that my father had neglected to take full account of my position in such a tragic event, and everything he owned went to a distant male cousin, who saw no reason to provide for me." Megan glanced away, for since being forced to become a companion, she had never once mentioned her one and only relative; indeed, she had done her utmost to banish him from her memory.
Evangeline sympathized, although she exulted inside because she now knew beyond all shadow of doubt that this was the Megan Mortimer she sought. "I fear that in this day and age there is a great deal of such heartlessness, Miss Mortimer. However, do go on."
"Well, that is all there is to tell, really. Because my cousin wanted nothing to do with me, I was obliged to leave the seminary and seek employment. I was only sixteen at the time, and therefore very fortunate to find the post with Lady Jane. I am sorry I have had to leave her, but I understand the awkwardness of her position."
"Which is more than I do, for she had no business supporting Ralph and Sophia. You have too generous a nature, Miss Mortimer." Evangeline hesitated. "Were your parents happy together?" she asked suddenly.
It was such an oddly personal question that Megan was startled. "I-I beg your pardon, my lady?"
Now it was Evangeline's turn to color. "Oh, no matter. Well, now, Miss Mortimer, I am seeking a companion, and everything about you meets with my approval. The post is yours if you wish." The offer was a compromise, because Evangeline could not bring herself to tell the truth. All in good time; there was no need to rush bull-headed at it…
"You-you wish to employ me?" Megan was caught off guard.
"Yes, Miss Mortimer."
Megan knew she ought to ask questions. "I, er… What duties will you require?"
"Duties?" Evangeline looked blank. "Well, what did you do for Lady Jane?"
"I read to her, I went shopping for her, I brought her shawl when she required it, and walked with her. If she wished to drive out in her carriage, I accompanied her, and-"
"Yes, yes, well, those are my requirements too." Evangeline didn't care what tasks Megan carried out, just that she came to reside at Radcliffe House. "The terms of employment will be exactly as those you enjoyed with Lady Jane, commencing now. And you may rest assured that I no longer intend to spend Christmas in Bath, but will be returning to Brighton tomorrow."
"I would very much like to accept your kind offer, indeed I would be truly grateful and deeply honored to do so, it's just…"
"Yes?"
Megan was embarrassed. "Lady Evangeline, I-I am very anxious indeed that Mr. Strickland's lies about my conduct should go no further."
Evangeline smiled understandingly. "You surely do not fear I will, er, blab I believe the word is?"
"Not exactly, it is just that…" Megan didn't quite know how to put it without causing offense, but there was no denying the fact that those of Lady Evangeline's rank usually thought little of the sensitivities of persons well below them on the social ladder.
"It's just that what, Miss Mortimer?" Evangeline prompted curiously.
"You might not think it as important as I do."
"My dear, I think it very important indeed. A woman's reputation is everything in this day and age, so not a word will pass my lips about the circumstances of your departure from Bath. I trust you are reassured?"
Megan gave her a grateful smile. "Yes. Thank you for your understanding, Lady Evangeline."
"Not at all, my dear. It is settled, then. Now, then, I do not wish you to remain in this ramshackle place a moment longer. I have taken rooms at the Angel opposite, and wish you to join me. I trust you like sea air? Brighton has a great deal of it, I fear."
"I have no experience of sea air, Lady Evangeline, but I am sure I shall like it very much indeed."
"Good. The season is in full swing there at the moment, but company will be a little thin at Radcliffe House until New Year's Eve. However, we will make the best of it. Are you interested in amateur dramatics? And by that I do not mean the hothouse vapors of which Sophia Strickland has made such a study."
Before Megan could answer, the greenery on the floor moved slightly. It was only a small movement, and most people would not have noticed, but it happened to catch Megan's eye. She looked down in horror, fearing it might be one of the rats she had observed in the backyard. But then a sprig of mistletoe somehow broke off, and floated up into the air. Megan was transfixed. "I-I'm afraid I have never had cause to follow an interest in theatricals, Lady Evangeline," she managed to stammer, watching the mistletoe's mysterious progress.
Evangeline had not observed anything. "Radcliffe House boasts a very fine private theater, and every year I present a play for my considerable circle of friends. It has been postponed until the new year on this occasion, but it will still take place, possibly for the last time, as I am about to sell the house to the Prince of Wales, who will pull it down to make room for more of his Pavilion. However, that is in the future, and as things are right now, everyone who spends Christmas beneath my roof is obliged to join in the play. You will escape an actual role because everything has already been cast, but I'm sure you will be excellent at prompting."
"Yes, Lady Evangeline." Megan's bemused gaze was still fixed upon the floating mistletoe."
"Master Witherspoon, put that down this instant!" Evangeline breathed, and the mistletoe fell abruptly to the floor.
The hairs at the nape of Megan's neck prickled uncomfortably. Was her new employer a little moonstruck? One thing was certain, if a message were to summon her to the Bishop's Palace right now, she would definitely change her mind about becoming Lady Evangeline Radcliffe's companion! But such a message wasn't likely to be forthcoming, and beggars could not be choosers; so Brighton it had to be.