Chapter Eighteen

A low knock on the door woke Ana. She bolted upright, startled that she had fallen asleep. The mattress was the softest she’d ever slept on, and she’d succumbed to exhaustion.

A quick glance at the mantle clock revealed it had only been an hour. Who could it be? Was the earl bold enough to visit?

She hurried to open the door to find Lady Malvern waiting. Ana’s brow furrowed, and she rubbed her temple. “Is something amiss with Penelope?”

“Penelope is fine and resting in her room.”

Lady Malvern shut the door and walked inside. Her ladyship had changed from her traveling dress into a green satin dress with epaulettes of lace and a matching emerald necklace. She appeared richly dressed and confident in her position. She eyed Ana’s accommodations, and her arched brow revealed what Ana had feared as soon as she’d stepped into the bedchamber: the lavish room was too much to spare on a companion.

“I thought to use this time to discuss our strategy.”

“Our strategy?”

“Do not act daft. The earl is titled and wealthy. We need to stoke his interest in Penelope.”

Stoke his interest? It sounded ridiculous, but then again, Lady Malvern’s ambition was impressive. Had she even asked her daughter how she felt about Lord Drake?

“Perhaps it’s best if you discuss this with your daughter.”

“Whatever for?”

“Because it’s her future.”

Lady Malvern leaned close, and the shrewdness in her gaze was unmistakable. “That is precisely why I won’t discuss it with her. Do you honestly think I don’t know her head is filled with nonsense about some romance with another man, most likely one without title or means?”

Ana’s insides froze, and she struggled to keep an impassive expression. How did she find out? Did she know Lieutenant Smithfield was currently stationed in Spain? And did she know Penelope had been corresponding with her soldier, or that Ana knew the truth and one of his letters was hidden in her end table as they spoke?

Impossible. If she knew of Ana’s involvement, then she would have been dismissed from her position. Thank goodness Ana had the foresight to store the letter in the end table and out of sight.

“If what you say about Penelope’s tendre for another is true, then why are we here?” Ana asked.

“All young girls’ heads are full of romantic foolishness. Amorous infatuation does not last. Nor will it house you in a lovely home with servants, keep you in fine gowns and jewels, and enable you to be part of society. A match with a wealthy earl will ensure all those things.”

“And what of love?”

“Another fallacy. I care for Lord Malvern, of course. We have been together for over twenty years, but my heart did not race when I first saw him in a ballroom. My mother had the good sense to steer me away from the rake who did.”

It sounded like a sad story to Ana. For the first time, she understood Lady Malvern’s ambition for Penelope even if she didn’t agree with it. She genuinely believed she acted out of love for her daughter and concern for her future.

“If I may ask, why come see me?” Ana asked.

“I need you to find out who Penelope cares for and give me the man’s name straight away. Then you must dissuade my daughter of inappropriate romantic feelings.”

“Me? How am I to accomplish either task?”

“She trusts you.”

The notion of abusing her charge’s trust did not sit well with Ana. “Is that my sole purpose in accompanying you to Rosedown?”

“Of course not. As I told you, I cannot accompany Penelope and Drake on rides in the country. The presence of a girl’s mother is generally a deterrence to any amorous advances.”

There was no arguing that fact.

“But you,” Lady Malvern said, “are in a unique position to encourage a budding romance between them.”

If she only knew her daughter was trying her best to encourage Ana and Oliver, Lady Malvern would pitch a fit.

“Are you condoning that I ‘accidentally’ leave the two of them alone at times?” Ana asked.

“I trust your judgment, Miss Gardner.”

The conversation was not going in the direction Ana had anticipated at all. “I will do what I can.”

“It’s settled, then,” Lady Malvern said. “I knew I could count on you.”