“I thought that perhaps you could accompany me, that is to say, Lady Theodora and me, to the ball,” he corrected himself before looking her in the eyes with a serious expression.
“You’re not teasing me?” Livinia felt her eyes widening in shock as he continued to stare at her. “I’m just a governess; I couldn’t possibly attend a ball where members of the ton will be present in a social setting,” she hurriedly explained as panic set in. The idea was ludicrous, no matter how you sliced it.
“I am aware of the difficulties of the situation, but truth be told, I am not nearly prepared to accompany Lady Theodora to a social gathering. Conversely, you will be able to guide her with all the correct etiquette and manners. And I must confess that I like the idea of having you to talk to instead of being forced into conversation with people I haven’t seen in years.” He continued to hold her gaze with a piercing stare.
Livinia felt her breath catch in her throat. He wanted her to defy the rules of society and attend a ball at his side. The thought was equally exhilarating and scary. “But I’m just a governess,” she repeated the sentiments from earlier and felt herself sinking into the large chair behind the desk. The scenario seemed so unreal to her that her legs had lost all function.
“Yes, I have thought of that. Your previous charge forgot to mention in her note that the ball is, in fact, a masquerade ball. Everyone will be wearing a mask of sorts with their costumes.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully in the broody manner that Livinia had come to associate with the earl giving a great deal of thought to what he was saying.
“Even if that were so, I don’t own anything nearly fancy enough to attend a ball in. My savings are slim at best; it’s just not possible.” She felt her heart sinking at her own words despite the ludicrousness of his suggestion. Living in a fairytale world only led to disappointment, even if it had only been for a moment.
Benedict seemed thoughtful for a moment, chewing the inside of his cheek. “You can leave that to me; you will have something to wear.” His eyes swept over her body as if he were judging her size.
She felt her heart fluttering beneath his gaze. Would she really attend a ball at his side? And what if they were to be found out? Her presence would cause the family a great deal of scandal. The Beaumont name already accompanied chatter and gossip because of their past. She was about to open her mouth and protest, but Benedict cut her off, giving her a serious look.
“May I remind you, Miss Campbell, of our little arrangement. You are to serve me and this family without question. My decision about the ball is final. You will attend; please be ready along with Lady Theodora to leave when the time comes,” Benedict stated, commanding her to respect him and his decision.
Livinia swallowed hard amidst her laboured breathing as Benedict stood and towered above her from across the desk. “Yes, My Lord,” she managed to utter after a moment’s hesitation. The man could run hot and cool in a matter of seconds, leaving her confused by his presence and behaviour towards her.
“I’m glad that we have reached an understanding.” His eyes swept down her body once again, taking her figure in with a heated gaze.
The other problem that Livinia realized was the fact that she and the earl would once again be placed in an impossible situation. Their restraint would be tested more than it had been in the past. She hoped that nothing unexpected would happen that would cost her her job.
Chapter 12
Livinia stood in front of the floor-length mirror in her attic bedroom. She was dressed in nothing more than her corset and undergarments. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she glanced to the side. A large dress box had been placed at the foot of her bed; she knew that the earl had got her a dress; she just hadn’t worked up the courage to peek inside.
She’d pinned her gold hair to the back of her head in an elaborate style. Lady Theodora had been so overwhelmed with excitement when she’d heard that Livinia would be attending incognito that she had given her a small jewellery box of pearl pins.
The gold necklace and earrings she wore had belonged to her mother, the last remaining remnants of her past life. The pieces of jewellery had been the only dear things that her father had ever been able to afford as a gift. She had cherished and hidden the items in her suitcase for many years.
I look like her.
Livinia’s mother had passed when she was little, leaving her with very few memories. Yet she could still recall the elegance of her mother’s beauty.
Working up her courage, she made her way to the box on her bed and lifted the lid. A gasp of surprise escaped her throat as she caught sight of the chocolate-coloured dress with gold trimmings. The heavy silk of the dress was overlaid with fine netting that gave the fabric an enchanting shimmer.
She held the dress up to the light of the late afternoon sun that filtered through her chamber windows and admired the glittering details. It didn’t take her long to slip the smooth fabric over her head and fasten the ribbons behind her back by reaching around.
Her reflection in the mirror took her by surprise as she gazed at an entirely unrecognizable lady of the ton. Even without any mask, she wouldn’t have said she was a governess at all.
Footsteps coming down the passage drew her out of her daze as she hurried to finish, tidying up the box and the tissue paper covering the dress. She took a moment to compose herself before stepping into the hall.
“Miss Campbell?” Thomas hurried forward and gaped at her in shock. “I almost thought that someone else was in the house. I can hardly believe that is you.” He looked her over in shock with his mouth hanging open.
“Thank you, Thomas.” She took pleasure in the compliment despite feeling a little out of place.
“I wasn’t trying to give you a compliment, Miss Campbell, just what do you think you are doing? And wearing the late countess’s dress, nonetheless. I have never seen such a thing in all my years of service.” His voice took on an angry note as he admonished her.
The dress belonged to his mother.
The realization came upon Livinia like a bolt of lightning. Benedict had gone through his mother’s belongings and picked out a dress for her to wear. She wasn’t even sure how she felt about wearing his mother’s dress. What had gone through his mind when he looked through her things?
“Go and change at once before His Lordship sees you,” Thomas continued to scold her while ushering her back towards her door. “I knew bringing an outsider into the mansion would spell trouble. What exactly were you planning with this little stunt?” he asked angrily.
“Miss Campbell was not planning anything, Thomas.” Benedict stepped into the hallway with his hands behind his back. His jaw was set and angry as he glowered at his servant.
“My Lord! I was just trying to tell Miss Campbell that it isn’t appropriate for her …” Thomas paled noticeably as the earl took a step towards him.
“That it isn’t appropriate for her to wear a dress that I personally picked out for her?” Benedict towered over the man with his head held high.
Thomas took a step back, visibly shaken by the encounter. “I didn’t know you had given Miss Campbell permission, My Lord.” His voice was lower now, as if he had been put in place.
Livinia felt a pang of guilt despite her lack of involvement. Thomas was only doing as he saw fit to protect the family. It wasn’t his fault that the earl hadn’t mentioned anything to him. If the roles were reversed, she would more than likely have thought that Thomas was up to something as well.
“Miss Campbell is acting under my instructions. I will forgive your insolence this once, but I urge you to remember your place and never again question how I choose to instruct a governess under my command.” Benedict dismissed the man with a nod of his head.
“Yes, My Lord,” Thomas said stiffly, straightening his spine. He shot Livinia an angry look before passing her in the hall.
“I’m sorry if I caused any inconvenience, My Lord. I didn’t know that Thomas was not aware of the arrangement.” She bowed her head respectfully and apologized, her pulse racing from the encounter.
Benedict’s eyes swept over her dress, taking her in with a hungry glance. The dress he had chosen for her fit her body like a glove. The cut was straight, with a band of gold beneath her breasts that accentuated her bosoms. The heat of his gaze knotted her stomach in a delicious manner, deepening her breathing.
“I do not have to let Thomas know about any of the decisions made in my household.” He took a step forward and gently fingered the necklace hanging around her neck. The chain was long enough to allow the simple heart pendant to hang right above her bosoms.
“It belonged to my mother,” she said in a breathy voice, keeping her eyes on his face as she sucked in a sharp breath.
What is he thinking?
