Maid to Be Mine: A Regency Cinderella Story (8 page)

“
It is.” Cynthia tried to take a step backward, but her back was already against the wall, and there was no where she could escape. “Imprudent, improper, inappropriate and... inaccurate.”

“
I can understand your argument for the first three, but... inaccurate? I think not!” Lord Charmington unabashedly brushed a finger across her cheek, which made her shudder yet again. “You're quite possibly the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.”

“
And you're possibly the handsomest man I've ever seen.” As soon as she uttered the words, Cynthia winced. She had no business enjoying a blatant flirtation with the handsome lord, not when the flirtation could be her undoing.

“
Possibly the handsomest, or
most probably
the handsomest?” he asked with a chuckle. When he saw her raise an eyebrow, he added, “I am only jesting! I would not want you to think I am vain, my dear Cynthia.”

“
I'm not
your
Cynthia.”

“
But I would love it if you
were
my Cynthia.”

What exactly was he asking of her? To be his mistress? Cynthia tried to square her shoulders and strengthen her resolve, because she was sure he could be very persuasive. She wasn't going to be Lord Charmington's Cyprian! “I should really be on my way, my lord. There is much work to be done, and--”

“
You were reading,” he interrupted.

“
Come again?”

“
In the garden... I saw you there,” he went on. “It looked as if you were reading something.”

She nodded. “I was.”

“
How fascinating.” His fingers started toying with a wisp of hair that had escaped from her bun. “You know, I'm really impressed. I haven't met many servants who could read.”

Cynthia swallowed hard. What if he suspected she was a lady of quality? “I... taught myself.”

“
You taught yourself how to read?!” James asked with a gasp. “How does one go about doing such a thing?”

“
Willpower and determination,” Cynthia said. “It wasn't so hard, really, once you learn all of the letters.”

“
Fascinating...” he repeated. “And... there's something about your manner of speech. You're very well-spoken.”

“
For a servant?” she added.

“
No. For anyone! You're certainly a diamond in the rough, aren't you? You read, you're dignified... you're stunningly beautiful.” As he spoke, Lord Charmington bent his head forward, as if he was going to kiss her. If he happened to close the gap between their mouths, Cynthia was not sure she could resist. “And I am convinced you have the most beautiful eyes in the entire world.”

“
My eyes are nothing special, my lord.”

“
James. Call me James.”

“
I'm a servant,” Cynthia reminded him. “It would be wrong for us to be on such... familiar terms.”

“
Did I not say I would make an exception for you? Now, as for your eyes, I happen to disagree with you. They
are
special. They're light and bright and blue and beautiful. I could lose myself in your eyes for all eternity.”

“
I should really get back to my work...”

“
And your hands!” Lord Charmington seized her hand and cradled it, like something made of glass. He brushed a thumb across her knuckles, awed by their softness. “They're petal-soft and positively perfect. These don't look like hands that are accustomed to labor.”

“
I'm... very young, my lord,” Cynthia said. “I haven't been a maid for very long. Until recently, I lived with my family.” And it was true, for the most part.

“
And how young are you? You aren't too young to enjoy a flirtation with an amorous earl, I hope?”

“
I am one and twenty. Not
too
young, but I have no intention of enjoying a flirtation with anyone.”

“
Well, that's a shame, because I am more intrigued with you than I have ever been intrigued by anyone,” he confessed. “I could see myself idolizing you.”

“
Please... this is... a bit much,” Cynthia said. She skirted around him and hurried down the hallway, putting as much distance between herself and Lord Charmington as she could.

“
When can I see you again?!” Lord Charmington called after her. “Please, give me some hope! Don't leave me in misery!”

She gave him no response. The pretty maid rounded a corner, and then she was out of sight. When she was gone, James could feel his spirits sinking. Even if she was a servant, she really was the most interesting woman of his acquaintance, and he wasn't going to let her get away that easily.

He would have to return to Montforth Hall on the morrow and pray he would cross paths with her again.

Chapter Nine

“
So, you wanted to know what I thought about Lord Magnificent?”

At the moment, Cynthia and Robert were collecting linens from various guests rooms. Tess, who seemed to be the woman in charge, said it would be their duty to wash the bedsheets. Cynthia had already gathered a significant bundle, which she tossed on the floor by her feet. She watched Robert rake a blanket from the bed, then he tossed it at her.

“
I suppose...I
am
curious to know your opinion,” Cynthia said. They had been working together for several minutes now, and yet it was his first attempt at making conversation. Cynthia wasn't too thrilled by the prospect of spending time with Robert, whose snide banter often tested her patience. But it wasn't as if she had a choice in the matter. Tess paired them up quite frequently.

“
Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but he's your usual lord,” Robert said with a shrug. “A pompous fop, nose in the air, dressed up like a dandy...”

Cynthia would have crossed her arms in protest, but the blanket in her arms was bulky and cumbersome. “I think you forget where I come from, Robert. My father was an earl!”

“
The late Lord Montforth was an exception,” Robert said. He grabbed the last linen and threw it into a pile, which was twice the size of Cynthia's pile. “And he's not to be confused with the
current
Lord Montforth, who is quite possibly the most ridiculous man I've ever laid eyes on.”

“
Well, I must agree with you there. However, I am going to have to
dis
agree with you about Lord Charmington! I had the pleasure of meeting him, and he was a very handsome, charming, engaging man!”

“
You met him?” When Robert turned to her, he had his hands on his hips. “I thought you were supposed to avoid him like your life depended on it?”

“
I was. But we had an encounter in the hallway. He sought me out.”

“
Really?” One of Robert's thick eyebrows was raised. “And what happened during this illicit encounter? Was it love at first sight? Is Prince Charming going to save the princess from her dire fate?”

“
I don't think that's any of your concern, Robert.”

“
Really? Well, that's a shame. I was hoping I could make it my business,” Robert said with a grin. “You see, I have a habit of sticking my nose where it doesn't belong.”

“
That
I believe.” Cynthia gathered her linens and hoisted them aloft. Her bundle was so enormous, she could barely see Robert over the immense pile. “Now, Robert... you're the only one who knows about my meeting with James. Whatever you do,
please
keep it between you and me. I don't want anyone else to find out.”

“
James?! You're already on a first name basis with the man? Then it must
really
be love at first sight!”

Robert collected his bundle and nudged open the door. Together, they waddled down the hall with their massive piles of dirty bedsheets. The next bedroom they entered was a guest room that hadn't been occupied in ages.

“
For your information, Robert, I do not believe in love at first sight!” Cynthia dropped her bundle and went to the bed.

“
Awww. And here I was thinking you've been hopelessly in love with me from the first moment you saw me!” When he saw her incredulous expression, he added, “Ah, don't give me that look! I'm only teasing you, Princess. I know you only have eyes for Lord Magnificent.”

“
I don't have eyes for
anyone
,” Cynthia assured him. She watched Robert yank the blankets from the bed, and when he did, a giant dust cloud erupted in his face. He was possessed by a temporary coughing fit, which almost had her feeling sorry for him.

As Cynthia stared at the mountain of linens they had collected, she wondered how she was supposed to carry them. Any human being would surely struggle to heft such a heap. “Why couldn't we have deposited half of these in the washroom?! This seems a bit... excessive.”

“
Nah. It's best to gather them all at once,” Robert insisted, squinting. The dust was having a lasting effect on his eyes, which were red-rimmed with irritation. “So, does Lord Magnificent know who you are?”

“
Lord
Charmington
thinks I'm a maid. At least... I think he does. He did seem awfully suspicious.” Cynthia lifted her bundle and toddled to the door. “Are you done asking questions?”

“
Why do you ask? Are my questions annoying?”

“
Yes,” she answered firmly. “Quite.”

“
Then no, I'm not done asking questions,” Robert said with a grin. But his grin was wasted, as she could no longer see him. Once again, the linens were obstructing her view. “I rather enjoy being an annoyance.”

Cynthia left the room and hurried to the washroom. She had hoped to leave Robert behind; unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before he caught up to her. She could hear him squawking behind her.

“
Oh, Cynthia, you are
too
fun to tease!” Robert laughed. “I'm only trying to lighten the mood! Don't you need a laugh?”

“
I
do
need a laugh! Alas, your humor is lost on me!”

“
CYNTHIA!”

When she heard her name, Cynthia winced. She recognized the speaker, and it definitely wasn't Robert. Cynthia tried to peek around the bundle, and when she did, she saw Georgiana heading toward them.

“
Well well, Cynthia, you look rather busy,” Georgiana haughtily observed. “But not too busy for me, I hope?”

Cynthia tried to sound aloof. “Is there something you require?”

“
Actually, there is. I was hoping you might be my...
personal servant
for the day,” Georgiana said. “I think it's ridiculous that Mama and Roland won't hire any more servants, when I obviously require the assistance of a maid.”

“
What do you want, Georgiana?” Cynthia asked gruffly.

“
Now now... you shouldn't speak to me that way, Cynthia.” Georgiana clicked her tongue a few times. “You're a servant now, and in case you've forgotten, you need to show me some respect! Now... let us try again, shall we? I'll say...
I require the assistance of a maid.
Now, how do you think you should respond?”

Cynthia had to draw a deep breath before replying. “I... would be happy to help you, Georgiana.”

“
Georgiana?! That's rather informal, don't you think?” Georgiana pointed out. “You don't think
that man
would call me by my name, do you?” She pointed at Robert. “Well, never mind. I'll overlook it... just this once. Now, when you've divested yourself of that filthy bundle, I need you to come to my room. There are several tasks I need you to perform.”