Becoming a Lady (4 page)

Another forkful of food headed toward her mouth, but she stopped its progress before reaching the target. With wide eyes, she stared at him.

“If you return to England with me and allow me to take you to
Longdale
Castle for your grandfather’s birthday celebration, I assure you, your brother will get the best medical help I can afford.”

Her fork still frozen in the air, she blinked a few times. “You—you will pay for my brother’s doctor bills?”

“Indeed I will, Miss Paxton, but only if you agree to accompany me to England to meet your grandfather.”

* * * *

Dorothy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Nobody had offered to pay for anything she needed.
Ever.
As much as Dorothy didn’t want to take his bribe, she couldn’t pass the chance of getting Jeremy in front of a real doctor who might save her brother’s life.

“That’s not fair,” she said softly and set her fork on her plate. “You know my weakness, and you’re using it against me.”

“Miss Paxton, it’s imperative that I return you to
Longdale
Castle before your grandfather’s birthday. If offering to pay for a good doctor will get me what I want, I’m willing to do it.” He sighed heavily. “I did notice how sickly your brother was and I must say
,
he needs medical help badly.”

Dorothy’s mother would truly haunt her if she knew her daughter would be going to England to meet the family who’d abandoned them twenty-two years ago. “Can I assume
you
are being paid well to be my escort?”

Anger coated his emerald gaze for a split-second before it disappeared. Apparently, he had more control over his emotions than she had.

“That’s really none of your concern, Miss Paxton.”

She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest. “In other words, that’s a
yes
.” Irritable, she shook her head. “If I agree to this ridiculous deal, then part of the bargain must be paying for Jeremy’s care
before
we sail. I won’t have it any other way. He needs care now—not in three months.”

“I can agree to that, but I do have one more stipulation.”

She held her breath, afraid of what it might be. Would Mr. Seton prove to be like every other rich man she’d heard about—not following through with his promises? “And what might your stipulation be, may I ask?”

“During our trip to England, you will allow me to teach you how to become a lady.”

Snorting a laugh, she quickly covered her mouth, grateful she had no food in it that time or it would have been sprayed all over Mr. Seton.
A lady?
For sure this man wasn’t right in the head. “Are you jesting? You want me to pretend to be a lady?”

“I don’t want you to
pretend
at all. By the time we arrive in England, I want you to be a lady.”

“You cannot be serious? Look at the way I eat…the way I dress…the way I talk. You even said so yourself that I have a
forthright
personality.”

“Miss Paxton, I assure you, I’m quite serious. With a little discipline and a good amount of study, I believe we can train you correctly. By the time we arrive at
Longdale
Castle, I want you to be no different than the other lords and ladies who are related to you. No difference whatsoever.”

Chapter Four

“Jeremy, I will be all right,” she said to her irate brother while she packed clothes in her trunk. Tomorrow, she would sail to England. That prospect of being with Mr. Seton both confused her…and excited her. “Mr. Seton found us an excellent doctor. In one week you have shown signs of improvement.” After placing a dress in the trunk, she turned and grasped her brother’s cold hands. “I’m doing this for you. If you didn’t need proper care as badly as you do, I would stay right here with you. Mrs.
Currey
will help you run the inn, and if you can’t, she has two sons who will be more than happy to assist.”

He pulled away from her and paced the small floor. “I don’t like this at all. I don’t know why the duke wants to see you, but I fear he will only hurt you.” Stopping in front of her he swiped his fingers through his hair.
“And what of this Mr. Seton?
You don’t know him. He could be another man like your father, you know.”

“That thought has crossed my mind, but I’m not worried in the least. As long as I remember that you will be taken care of and that I
will
return once I meet my loveless grandfather, there is no way Mr. Seton’s charm will weaken my resolve.”

Jeremy shook his head, his blond curly locks shook, reminding her that he needed another haircut.

“I still don’t trust the bloke. We both know Mr. Seton isn’t doing this as a favor to the duke. Mr. Seton is being paid well…and it’s obvious he’s tempting you by buying you
new
gowns and other things. I have seen the way your face lit up when you went shopping with him a few days ago.”

Huffing, she planted her hands on her hips. “Stop that nonsense right now. I will not have you thinking such things. Although the clothes he got me were very nice, you know me well enough to know I cannot be bought. No amount of money will change me or make me want to stay in England. My home is here…with you.”

He frowned and stared at her as liquid slowly filled his eyes. “I will miss you terribly. We have never been apart.”

She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. “I will miss you, as well. But it will only be a few months that I’ll be gone. When I return, you will be much healthier. I just know it.”

He kissed her cheek before moving away from her. “Just keep something in mind, will you?”

“What is that?”

“Remember that men from England have never treated our family well. Mr. Seton might be polite and very generous with his money, but because he’s wealthy, he cannot be trusted. I wouldn’t want you to end up like our mother.”

“Not to worry, Jeremy. I don’t plan on ending up like Mother.”

He nodded. “Please write to me to let me know how you are doing.”

“I promise.”

When he walked out of her room and closed the door, tears filled her eyes—the tears she’d been holding back in front of him. She didn’t want him to know her insecurities, or that she had second thoughts on going.

But she must go or Mr. Seton would stop paying for Jeremy’s care. A miracle had happened when he’d started seeing this new doctor. She actually felt like Jeremy didn’t have one foot in the grave. He would pull through and overcome this malady.

Last night he’d mentioned finding her a woman companion that would travel with them that would help with Dorothy’s learning. She wasn’t looking forward to learning anything new, but she couldn’t wait to wear these lovely dresses. Anxiety rattled her nerves as she finished packing the new clothes Mr. Seton had purchased.

Giddiness had jumped in her heart even though she tried to tell herself money could
not
buy happiness. Yet, she had never had nice gowns—or anything exquisite. For once in her life, she would actually feel like a lady.

May her brother never find out, but she would enjoy these next few months as much as she could.

* * * *

“No, no, Miss Paxton. Keep your shoulders straight. And lift your chin ever so slightly.”

Dorothy tried her best not to glare at Miss Peabody—the woman nearly twice her age, and still an old maid—whom Mr. Seton had hired to turn Dorothy into a lady. The older woman fussed over Dorothy as she adjusted the four-inch thick book on top of her head.

“Please, Miss Peabody, just call me Dorothy.”

The companion flipped her hand through the air in a dismissive wave.
“Nonsense.
It is not polite to call you that. I work for you now, so—”

“To be precise, you work for Mr. Seton,” Dorothy corrected.

“Very true, I do. But it still is not proper to call you by your given name. In England, you will mingle with society, and they will all refer to you as Miss Paxton. It is highly ill-mannered to call you by your Christian name.”

The older woman inched away from Dorothy, keeping her eye on the book perched on her head.
“There now.
Slowly walk toward me and let’s try this again. Keep your back straight, head held high, and glide across the room just as we’ve been practicing all week.”

Dorothy clamped her mouth tight for fear she’d say something to scare off Miss Peabody—just like she did on the first day they met. The poor older woman had never met a woman like Dorothy, and her hoyden personality frightened the companion. Dorothy had no idea what Mr. Seton did to convince Miss Peabody to stay, but she did. That day he’d also warned Dorothy to be a good
lady
or he’d stop paying for Jeremy’s medical treatment.

Since the first day of their voyage, that man had been suspiciously absent. She knew he was on the ship; she just didn’t see him much. Then again, Miss Peabody kept Dorothy quite busy with etiquette lessons—so the woman called it. Dorothy happened to think this was torture of the worst kind.

While holed up for seven straight days, Miss Peabody was also pounding into Dorothy’s head etiquette lessons on how to sit at the table and how to converse, for heaven’s sake! She was able to catch on to most of this, but walking was more difficult. The reason why the
slave driver
kept making Dorothy walk over and over again was because she wasn’t used to wearing such dresses, and the new ones Mr. Seton had purchased tangled in her legs quite often. Miss Peabody—the barracuda—explained it was because Dorothy’s strides were too wide.

Of course they were wide! She wanted to get across the room as fast as she could.

But that wasn’t good enough for Miss Peabody. So holding in a fit of grumbles, Dorothy made it across the room for the first time without tripping over her own legs—because of the dress—and keeping the book on her head.

“Excellent form.”
Miss Peabody beamed. “Now we must go up on deck so you have farther to walk.”

Dorothy yanked the irritating book off her head. “I think not, Miss Peabody. I cannot possibly do as you suggest.”

“Why not?”

“People will gawk me and wonder why I’m walking with a book on my head.”

The older woman chuckled.
“No, my dear.
You won’t have the book. I believe you can handle the stroll on deck without that obstacle. The book was to keep your posture straight.”

Dorothy almost jumped with excitement. “Then I would be delighted to take a stroll with you.”

“Splendid. Let’s put on our cloaks and bonnets. I fear the wind might chill us more than we’re prepared for.”

Although Dorothy disagreed, she bit her tongue from voicing her opinion and yanked on the most ridiculous bonnet she’d ever owned. She didn’t know why she couldn’t wear one she’d brought from home.

As she hurried out of her cabin, she felt so silly. The cloak weighed her down almost as much as the wool dress. Then again, they were on the ship and the weather would certainly be cooler than she was used to. But at this moment, she’d rather freeze than fidget with the heavy cloak—and the insufferable ribbons on her bonnet scratching her skin.

The moment they reached the top, a cool breeze hit Dorothy’s cheeks. She smiled and closed her eyes, breathing in the fresh salt air. The sun’s rays helped to warm her through the sting of the wind. Standing here was so peaceful, even with the seagulls squawking above them and water surrounding them as far as the eye could see.

She relaxed and took in everything around her. Several couples were strolling the deck, all adorned as foolishly as she—some even more so. There were more men than women, but then the women must be ninnies who couldn’t stand the cooler temperatures.

As she and Miss Peabody walked further, the ship swayed. Dorothy steadied herself. After all, if she didn’t turn out a good performance, Miss P would surely take her back down to the torture chamber and place the thick book on her head.

“Oh, dear.”
Miss Peabody groaned and touched her stomach.

Dorothy arched an eyebrow. “What ails you? You aren’t seasick, are you?”

“I fear I might be just a little.”

That’s all I need.
A sick lady’s companion.

A shout of laughter pulled her attention toward the middle of the deck where four men sat
around a
small table playing cards. Mr. Seton stood out. Dorothy couldn’t decide if it was because he was more handsome or because he didn’t look like a fur-bundled snowman.

“Look, there is Mr. Seton,” Miss Peabody announced.

“Yes, I see him as well. I think we should go over and show him how well I’m progressing with my training.” Dorothy flashed Miss P a wide grin. “I’m certain he’ll be especially happy that you have done such a fine job.”

Scarlet blossomed on the companion’s cheeks. “Indeed, what a splendid idea.”

Excitement bubbled inside Dorothy. She was anxious to talk to Mr. Seton since they hadn’t really spoken for a week.

As they drew closer, Dorothy realized the men were betting high on their card game. She’d spent years studying faces while working at the inn. True, most of the time they were drunken expressions, but after watching her brother’s card games, she’d gotten to understand a lot. Uncertainty creased Mr. Seton’s forehead and through his narrowed gaze. A couple of the other men were bluffing and she wondered if Mr. Seton realized this.