“So long as he doesn’t break her heart, I’ll be thrilled.”
I watched the crowd, frowning when I saw Jayden Hamlin, ruiner of books. He was glaring at me. I gave him one defiant look and then turned away. I would not let him spoil my evening.
The night progressed with laughter and a bit of drama, which was always fun. I took a turn dancing with Thaddeus and Zander. I even allowed Toren Gable to whirl me around the dance floor. Thankfully he didn’t seem interested in pursuing me as Fynn had suggested so long ago.
I caught Jayden glaring at me several more times, and as the evening was coming to a close, it started to wear on me.
As I stood watching the dancing, I could feel his eyes on me, making my skin prickle. I scowled, resenting him for ruining this night for me. I tried to concentrate on Suzannah, Zander, and Sophie as they circled in a group amid the throng.
Fynn joined me, slipping his hands into his pockets and letting out a happy sigh. He cut his eyes over to me. “Don’t look so miserable.”
I gave him a weary smile. “I’m not miserable. I’m just tired of Jayden glaring at me.”
Fynn stiffened, pulling himself straight to look over the heads of the other dancers, searching for Jayden. “Why would he be glaring at you?”
“I don’t know.”
He looked back at me, his expression doubtful.
I crossed my arms, looking away. “I may have hit him,” I admitted.
“You hit him?” His accusatory tone made my hackles rise.
I whipped my head toward him to deliver my own glare. “He ruined my book and grabbed my arm!”
His face clouded. “When?”
I waved that off. “Before I started working for the Mantocks.”
“Well then, why didn’t you tell me so that I could hit him harder?”
My eyebrows jumped, and a smile slipped through. “I’ll remember that next time.”
His face was twisted with anger as he continued looking for Jayden among the crowd. I knew the moment he spotted him from the fury that flashed in his eyes.
“There won’t be a next time,” he said as he crossed in front of me.
“Fynn, don’t!” But he didn’t listen. He wove through the crowd, walking up to Jayden, who looked Fynn up and down with open disdain.
I couldn’t stand there and watch. I followed after him, and they were already in the middle of an argument when I stepped up behind Fynn.
“You’re just like your sister,” Jayden spat. “The whole lot of you think you’re so much better than everyone just because some princess lowered herself to marry Gavin, and she’s the worst.” He jabbed a finger at me, forcing Fynn to notice that I stood just behind him.
“You don’t like us. That’s fine,” Fynn said with a calm that made me uneasy. “Stay away from us and stop staring at Kinley.”
Jayden’s gaze shifted to me, his eyes raking over me in a way that made me want to cringe away. “I may not like her, but she’s not so bad to look at.”
Fynn grabbed the front of Jayden’s shirt and slammed him into the wall beside them. Then he stuck his face close to Jayden’s and said through clenched teeth, “You’re a coward and a swine, and if you ever come near her again, you will regret it.” He shoved Jayden back against the wall again, but this time Jayden pushed back, then took a swing before Fynn threw him to the ground.
I stood there in shock, my chest tight with anxiety as Fynn drew his fist back.
Someone pulled Fynn off of Jayden and several other men who had seen the altercation stepped between them, yanking Jayden to his feet before forcefully suggesting that he leave for the night. He did so but not before spitting at my feet.
Fynn struggled to throw himself at Jayden, but Zander had come over and held him firm. My face felt numb, and I thought that if I tried to move, I’d end up on the ground, my legs unable to support me. I watched, half dazed, as Zander gently but firmly turned Fynn in the other direction, moving him away from the agitated group of people who had witnessed the encounter.
An arm went around my shoulders, and a hand that felt brittle with age took hold of mine. I looked up into a familiar face, but I could not recall her name. She smiled and squeezed my hand. “Never you mind him. His anger has nothing to do with you.” She turned me away, lending me her calm and strength as we followed after Fynn. “Let’s find Suzannah. She’s probably wondering where you are.”
She was right. Zander had directed Fynn to the opposite end of the square. When I reached them, Suzannah was fussing over Fynn, who still looked ready to do someone harm. The moment she saw me, she flew to my side. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Did Fynn get hurt?”
“No. He’s just disappointed that he didn’t hurt Jayden more.” Her exasperation was obvious.
A humorless laugh escaped me. “That sounds like Fynn.”
“So what happened?” she asked.
“I told Fynn how Jayden had been bothering me, and he decided to take matters into his own hands.”
She smirked. “Of course he did. What was Jayden doing this time?”
I shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know. I’ve always known that some people resented Gavin for marrying Ella. And sometimes it’s made things awkward, but that was more than five years ago. Most people have either stopped being mad, or they’re at least resigned.”
“That whole scene was about Jayden holding a grudge?”
“That’s what it seems like.”
Her mouth twisted in thought. “But why now? Do you think something happened?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, I was glad when the Widbys closed up their stand a few weeks ago. I didn’t have to see Jayden at their booth.” She turned to me suddenly, grabbing my arm. “I forgot to tell you.” She lowered her voice. “Mr. Baylor came to market last week.”
I ignored the way his name sent pain lancing through my heart. “Did he spend plenty of money?” I asked, the words soaked in bitterness.
“He came to speak to me.” She bit her lip before admitting, “To ask about you.”
I forced myself to breathe calmly, even as my head shook. “Why would he bother? He’s been seen gallivanting about the country with a different young lady on his arm every week.” Perhaps not every week, but there had certainly been more than one girl. Woman. Trollop.
Her face fell. “Actually, there was a young lady with him.”
My heart sank. “I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“Doesn’t he have a sister? Maybe it was her.”
I pinned her with a stare. “Did she look like a sister?”
She shook her head in dismay. “No. They had different coloring, and she seemed to admire him in a not sisterly way.”
I crossed my arms, staring into the crowd, brooding. “How was he asking about me if he had a young woman with him?’
“She was looking at the wares in the stall next to mine.”
I knew I shouldn’t ask, but: “What did he ask?”
“If you were well. If you were ever at home.”
“Did you tell him I work for the Mantocks?”
“Of course not.”
I took a deep breath. “Good.”
“So,” she said, studying me, her eyes filled with pity, “what are you going to do?”
“Nothing. There is nothing to do.”
She just gave me a sad smile and looped her arm through mine. We watched the dance together until she tugged on my arm, insisting that we join in. I did so reluctantly, but my mood soon improved as I dipped, glided, and whirled through the dances.
Chapter Eighteen
I RETURNED TO work with a resignation that left me almost numb. If I had taken the time to think about it, it would have worried me. Instead I focused on the work, getting through one day at a time.
Midweek, word was sent down to the kitchens that tea and refreshments were required for Lady Mantock, Aveline, and two guests. No doubt it was Lady Ivory and Miss Estelle.
&nbs
p; I helped prepare the tray and then carried it up to the drawing room. A footman opened the door for me to enter and I gave him a grateful smile, then turned my face into a polite mask and cast my eyes down as I entered the room. I crossed the floor and set the tray down, careful to remain as invisible as possible. It still felt strange, pretending that I wasn’t a person with the same emotions and thoughts as everyone else. It made me anxious to get this year over with. Oh, how I hope it is only a year.
I retreated, folding my hands together, and took up a post along the wall, waiting to see if I was needed for anything. I stared at the floor until I heard Aveline’s honey-sweet voice.
“Mr. Baylor, are you quite all right?”
Wait.
Mr. Baylor? I lifted my eyes and immediately met the stunned gaze of Rylander Baylor. The blood drained from my face. He sat on the settee that faced the wall against which I stood. His clothes were very . . . noble. I’d seen him dressed up in such finery only twice. Once at the royal ball and then once on the night he had come to the village to watch the dance. We had spied on my brother and Suzannah, and he had crouched in the dirt with me and ripped his fine cloak.
His clothing now was neither ripped nor dirty. Heavens, he looks delicious.
“Mr. Baylor?” Aveline repeated, and he finally pulled his eyes from mine.
I dropped my own gaze, desperately hoping that no one had noticed that it was me who had left him so befuddled.
“Yes, Miss Aveline?”
“I was only saying how glad I was that you came to visit with us again and that your lovely mother was able to come as well.”
His mother? I dared to peek up at the group, and sure enough, Lady Baylor sat beside her son, looking fresh and beautiful and doting and expectant.
I studied the group further as they served and passed the tea and set a pastry or two on their plates. Lady Baylor had a cheerful smile, and Lady Mantock had a calculating smirk.
So the carriage ride hadn’t been an isolated incident. It wasn’t just the dancing he had done with the beauty he’d been with at the ball. It was everything I’d heard, everything Gavin had heard, and everything that Rowen had warned me about.
Don’t take Rylander Baylor too seriously. Certainly don’t dare to involve your heart.
When his gaze skimmed back to me, I forced my eyes to the floor, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing me hurt or angry. And I wasn’t just angry; I was livid. Fire shot through me, and my jaw ached from clenching it. For several moments, I heard nothing of their conversation, too caught up in my own whirling thoughts to focus on the vain pleasantries of vapid nobility.
I pinched my eyes shut, trying to halt my thoughts before they became even more unforgiving. My own brother was technically nobility now. His wife, whom I adored, was royalty. I needn’t cast aspersions on an entire class of people just because I’d been duped by one man.
Focus. I needed to focus. This was my job. I had to be ready to run and fetch and clean up at a moment’s notice. I couldn’t afford to be distracted by Rylan, sitting there . . . in all his handsomeness . . . courting Aveline.
I refocused my ears on the conversation and my eyes on the floor. My jaw unclenched as I took a deep breath and turned into the dutiful, invisible servant once more.
The conversation wasn’t anything spectacular. It should have been easy for me to listen casually. Unfortunately, any time Rylan spoke I felt myself listening a little more. I even caught myself leaning forward on my toes and mentally rolled my eyes at myself. I wished he would say something pompous or unfeeling so that I could shore up my defenses against him, but of course he was ever the picture of gentlemanly kindness. Curse him.
“Aren’t these apple tarts simply divine?” Aveline asked, barely nibbling on the corner of the pastry.
“Why yes,” Rylan agreed. “I’ve found apples to be a particular favorite of late.”
I looked up, and his eyes were already fixed on me. How dare he flirt with me in the middle of tea with Miss Aveline? There was no mistaking that he was flirting. The tilt of his brow made that obvious.
I gave the barest shake of my head, hoping to dissuade him from drawing any attention to me.
His mother spoke up, and the moment that the other ladies’ attention had turned to Lady Baylor, Rylan raised one eyebrow at me and then upended his cup, pouring the remainder of his tea directly into his lap. My mind went blank.
What could he be thinking?
He jumped up, feigning surprise and embarrassment. “Oh, bother! Look what I’ve done. How very clumsy of me. I do apologize.”
Lady Baylor grabbed a napkin and handed it to Rylan, who took the cloth and blotted at his clothing. “I do hope I haven’t ruined your lovely chair.” He gestured toward the seat he’d vacated.
“Think nothing of it,” Lady Mantock insisted, then turned to me. “Kinley, please show Mr. Baylor where he can clean up.”
I sucked in a started breath. Be a servant, not a woman scorned. “Yes, my lady.” I very nearly cursed. What game was he playing at? Now I would be forced to be alone with him for as long as it took me to show him to a washroom. I maintained my composure as I turned to him and sank into a respectful curtsy. “If you will follow me, sir.” I led the way out the door.
The moment we were out in the corridor, he caught up to me and hissed in my ear. “How long have you been working here?”
I looked straight ahead, doing my best to maintain all proper formality and decorum. “Since a week after the fire. My income was gone. What did you think I was going to do?”
“I certainly didn’t think you’d do this. You don’t belong here.”
“That’s a matter of opinion.”
“Why didn’t you say something at the ball?”
“Ella’s gift was to give me a chance to forget all my worries. I wasn’t about to spoil it by bringing up the fact I’d had to return to service.” I cut my eyes over to him for a moment, my ire rising at the fact that I still felt pulled toward him, though his actions should have left my heart cold. “And what was that stunt you pulled back there?”
“I needed to speak with you. You can’t work here,” he said in almost a growl.
“And yet I am.” The door to the washroom was in sight. If only I could make it there.
“Kinley, you can’t—”
I looked at him. “This is the reality of my life, Mr. Baylor.”
His expression was angry or disgusted or something I couldn’t identify. I only knew that it wasn’t a look of approval.
I turned my face forward. “Forgive me if that offends you.” I stopped in front of a door that led to a washroom.
“Offends me? Of course it doesn’t offend me. Why would you say that?”
“Then why do you glower? Why do you seem angry that I’m here? Is it because you’re afraid I’ll tell Aveline all your secrets, and then she won’t want you?”
He took my arm, and though I tried to twist away, he pulled me into the room, closing us in. “This has nothing to do with Aveline.”
I glared at him. “Then what?”
“Her brother!”
“What does her brother have to do with anything?”
“Bram Mantock has a reputation. One he has earned over many years. One he deserves. And it is not a good one.”
“What?” I asked, shocked that he would make accusations against my one ally in this household. “Since when have you paid any attention to gossip?”
“It’s not gossip. He’s a philanderer, a rake, a rogue.”
“A scoundrel?” I said, my voice heavy with sarcasm. “Would you like me to suggest more words that mean the same thing?”
He held his hands up in front of him as if wanting to shake some sense into me. “He doesn’t just seduce noble young ladies. He’s entrapped more than one common girl.”
His declaration took me aback. Bram had defended me and treated me with respect. Was it fair for me to judge him based on rumor? Especially when they came from
Rylan, who was even now courting multiple young ladies? “How very noble of you to warn me. I will be on my guard.” And I would be, just as much as I always was. “But for now, you should probably clean up and return to your visit with Miss Aveline.” I tried to skirt around him, to escape this tiny room, and him.
He blocked my way. “I never would have chosen Aveline if I knew that you were working here.”
My eyes narrowed. “So sorry to have inconvenienced you by finding you out,” I spat.
He fisted his hands in his hair. “That’s not what—”
I held a hand up and cut him off. “It’s none of my concern what ladies you choose to spend time with. But let’s be honest. This isn’t the first time you’ve paid court to Aveline, is it?”
His eyes widened, and he appeared to choke on air.
“Aveline spoke about the drive you took her on for days afterward. It was quite enlightening.” I tried to be calm, to rein in my anger. But the memory of Rylan and Aveline with their heads tilted together in confidence made me want to scream. “And what of the young lady who was on your arm at the ball? Or the one you had with you at market?” His neck flushed red. “And you accuse Bram Mantock of being a scoundrel?”
He had the audacity to look hurt, as if I were somehow being unfair to him. “You’re right. I know. I know that it looks bad—”
“It looks as if it’s not only one girl you’re paying court to. It’s many.” He didn’t even try to defend himself, so I stepped closer lest my message be lost and bit out the words, “And I will not be one of them.”
I pushed past him, reaching for the door, but Rylan grabbed my arm to keep me from leaving. I jerked away with tremendous force and leveled him with a glare that made him step back. I turned back to the door.
“Kinley, please just be patient. I’m trying to please my father,” he said, frustration lacing his words.
His words made my blood heat with even more indignation, and I was forced to turn back yet again and address him. “My patience is spent, Mr. Baylor. And whatever you think you are doing, it certainly has nothing to do with me.” Then I fled before he could see the tears that threatened.
I took up my post in the drawing room, and when Rylan eventually returned, I had locked my feelings away and didn’t allow my eyes to wander to him even once more for the remainder of the visit.
Keeping Kinley Page 22