Part 18 (2/2)

Erva curtsied, something that was becoming easier and easier to do. ”It would be my pleasure, Anne.”

Lady Anne giggled like a schoolgirl at the use of her Christian name, which made Erva grin again. She couldn't help it. Even with Winny circling the room with her little minions behind, as if they were sharks in a tank, Erva couldn't help but feel carefree and loved.

Whoa, where had that thought come from? Loved?

She glanced at Will, still smiling down at her.

”Would you care for some tea too, b-” She stopped herself from saying anything more, almost calling him baby. It was a term of endearment that she wasn't sure would be in Will's vocabulary. She hadn't even realized it was in hers. Unsteadily, she said, ”Would you care for tea, Will-the-er-General?”

Will noiselessly chuckled and nodded. ”Yes, please.”

”Keep Lady Anne company for me, will you?”

Will looked down at Anne with an easy smile. ”It would be my honor, darling.”

She blinked at the word, then peeked at Lady Anne who appeared to be bursting at the seams with a giant smile. The lady even clapped tiny, almost soundless applause, which made Erva chuckle all the more. Before she got too lost in the moment, Erva left to hunt down a maid.

The quest hadn't lasted long because there was a maid a few paces from the entrance of room. Erva asked for some tea for herself, Lady Anne, and General Hill, and the maid bowed very low in her black and white uniform, never uttering a word, but turned quickly and returned with a silver tray full of little cakes, teacups, sugar, cream, a teapot, and a small pitcher filled with what mouth-wateringly looked like cool water.

Erva followed the maid back into the room, and saw Lady Anne still on the couch, but standing before her was Miss Winny and her friends. Glancing around the chamber, Erva wondered where Will had gone.

”My dear,” Lady Anne said, her voice lowered and wispy, almost nervous. ”Erva, I believe you've made the acquaintance of Miss Winny. She is from the Devon's family, arriving in the colony of New York more than a hundred years ago.”

Lady Anne reached out for Erva's hands, and upon taking them pulled her back down on the couch forcefully. From her periphery Erva noticed the maid a.s.sembling the tea on a nearby table then leaving without so much as a word.

”Yes,” Winny said. ”Lady Ferguson and I have known each other for eons, Lady Anne.”

Erva glanced up at Winny, feeling as if something was out of proportion and wondering about the odd exaggeration. Still, she tried to focus on the conversation Lady Anne had started. ”Fascinating.” Then turning to Winny, Erva said, ”Your family's been here in New York for quite a while then.”

Winny nodded condescendingly. ”Yes, we were one of the first families to live here, of course. The Devon's are related to King Charles I, you know.”

Lady Anne laughed loudly. ”Miss Winny, I never expected the likes of you to talk about the topic of b.a.s.t.a.r.ds at tea.”

Winny's face turned again an ugly color close to a bright flamingo. Erva could guess at how Lady Anne, whether intentionally or not, had just insulted her. At that Erva, for the first time, felt sorry for the girl who was trying so hard.

”Oh, who doesn't have a few b.a.s.t.a.r.ds in the family?” Erva said, hoping to relieve Winny from the intense color in her cheeks.

Lady Anne roared with another laugh. ”Very true, Lady Ferguson. Very true.”

Winny turned toward Erva. Her eyes deviously dark and narrowed. That wasn't the reaction Erva had hoped for.

”Lady Ferguson.” Winny arched a dark brow, then tried with her fingers to align it with the other. ”I don't think you've had the pleasure of meeting Miss Emma and Miss Lydia, have you?”

Erva felt her lips descend into a frown. She usually tried to censor her reactions, especially in front of someone like Winny. But when hearing those two names, she couldn't hide from the pain and shock that tore through her.

”Miss Winny-” Lady Anne said reprovingly.

”Yes, I think it quite time you met them,” Winny said, ignoring the lady. ”Don't you, my lady?” She'd said Erva's t.i.tle as if she'd called her a b.i.t.c.h instead.

”You discourteous trollop,” Lady Anne hissed.

Winny glanced at Lady Anne, her eyes wide and shocked. It was an act. Winny was playing at some awful game. And winning.

”Why, Lady Anne, I am no such thing. I am a good and loyal friend to the pretty Lady Ferguson. I only wish to serve her. Would it be wrong of me to tell the lady that General Hill is in the room next to this with his two mistresses?”

”Churlish girl, shut your mouth.” Lady Anne's voice dropped and hollowed, making her sound remarkably threatening.

Winny appeared unfazed. She kept her crocodile smile aimed right at Erva.

Standing, Erva stared at the doorway Winny had indicated. Lady Anne tugged at her hand, holding it tight.

”Dear, dear Lady Ferguson, don't,” Lady Anne whispered.

Erva locked eyes with the elderly lady, whose warm brown eyes shone back only sympathy.

”It won't come to any good, sweet Erva.”

It was such an odd moment, but the way Lady Anne looked at her, held her, and seemed so attentive to her, well, it broke Erva's heart. She thought of her own mother who wouldn't have cared if Will was in a room with his two mistresses. Her mother wouldn't have cared how much Erva had grown to like Will. Oh, h.e.l.l, she wondered if it were possible to fall in love with the guy this quickly.

But not when he had two mistresses in the room next door.

She swooped down and hugged Lady Anne quickly. When standing, still holding onto Anne's hands, tears blurred Erva's vision. ”You're so good to me.”

Lady Anne blinked, sudden moisture in her own eyes. ”You are an angel, my dear.”

A tear escaped down Erva's cheek. It felt so good to have a woman say that. A nurturing, kind woman. Although it was an odd moment to think such things, she knew she should give herself the acceptance she craved.

With that tiny glimpse at clarity, Erva turned back to the door, catching sight of a sneering Winny. Looking one more time at Lady Anne, she shrugged. ”I have to see for myself.”

The lady closed her eyes, but released her hold on Erva. She nodded, and Erva walked toward the door, slightly hearing the cruel giggles of the girls behind her.

Well, Erva thought, she had wanted answers. And this was one h.e.l.l of a way to get them.

Unlatching the door quietly, she snuck into the silent room. It was a library of some kind with floor to ceiling leather bound books. The library was also dark, and none of the windows were open, making it seem too hot and musky. At first, Erva didn't see the three figures, but then she heard a woman's soft whisper. They stood with their backs to her. Thank G.o.d, they were all dressed and not touching. Otherwise, she might kill someone. When Erva's eyes adjusted she saw them standing like a triangle, as, Erva thought, what they were rumored to be-a love triangle. They leaned close together, whispering something.

Will softly whacked something small and rectangular against his leg, then held it up. Erva crept closer to hear him say, ”I don't have much money on my person, but I'll go get more.”

Oh G.o.d. Oh no. Money was exchanged?

Her blood cooled then froze, making everything in her body hurt. She slapped her hand across her mouth to stop herself from screaming, but she may as well have. The smack to her lips was loud enough that all three turned to her.

”Erva,” Will whispered. He held his billfold in front of his flat stomach, open and showing several pound notes.

They were beautiful, Erva noticed, his mistresses. One of the women was tall, with dark hair and strikingly blue eyes, and the other was a honey blonde with vivid green eyes, staring at her with open shock.

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