Imperfect (Disappeared #1)

Chapter Twelve

"My lady, you look like you spent an entire night outside!" the pretty maid gasped. "There are leaves in your hair and stains on your dress. Are you quite all right?"

Theodosia unbuttoned her coat and threw it aside. "I'm fine, Sarah, but thank you for your concern. How long have I been gone?"

"About four hours, I'd say. I was beginning to worry. The countess had been looking for you, though I did my bit to ward her off. She's in a near panic because Lord Merton and his sons are set to drop by for dinner tonight — completely unannounced, too. Thank goodness she's as concerned about the supper as your gown. I believe she's in the kitchen now."

Theodosia sat heavily in a wingback chair. "It's as if I'm being punished for having a moment's happiness," she muttered. 

"Pardon, my lady?" 

Theodosia attempted to shake off her malaise. "Nothing. I apologize, Sarah. I didn't mean to worry you."

"Please, my lady. I'm glad you're all right. We'd better get started if you're to be ready in time." Sarah took off Theodosia's clothes, wrapped a dressing gown around her, and began to brush out Theodosia's hair. 

Theodosia struggled to tamp down her annoyance at having to go through the lengthy process of preparing for a formal supper. She had thought a quick bath and change of clothes would suffice and then she'd be off to see Louisa. Now that wouldn't be possible.

"What time are the Mertons expected?"

"Seven. It's five now, my lady."

Theodosia sighed and stared at her reflection in the mirror: frizzy brown hair, overly wide-set eyes, and shoulders that were anything but delicate. Yet Ahuil had thought her beautiful.

"Are you sure you're all right, my lady? You didn't get lost, did you? Sometimes I worry that you'll lose your way out there. You're gone ever so long."

Theodosia shot a quick smile at her loyal maid. Sarah was patient and sweet and always willing to listen. Theodosia considered her one of her few true friends and tried repay her kindness as often as possible.

"I did get a little lost. It was splendid, though. I stumbled upon a flooded part of the forest that was so beautiful."

Sarah shook her head. "My lady, you've always been an odd one. I like a little country walk but I can't be fussed to trudge through the woods, honestly."

Theodosia watched her in the mirror. "Have you ever felt like you didn't belong?"

The blonde maid continued to bring the brush forcefully through Theodosia's tangled hair. "No, miss. I'm happy to have been made a ladies' maid so young. It's what I always wanted."

"Of course. That's wonderful, Sarah."

Sarah kept her gaze trained on her work, but the creases around her eyes told Theodosia she was worried. 

"I'm sorry if you don't feel you belong, my lady. I know you don't like Edward Merton."

Theodosia's heart felt heavy again as she thought of her future. Still, she said lightly, "No matter. Whether we like them or not, we must fulfill the roles we were born for."

"I wish I could help, my lady." Sarah put down the brush and gently stroked her mistress's great cloud of hair.

Theodosia reached back and squeezed the tiny maid's slight hand. "You're a lovely creature, Sarah. What would I do without you?"

The maid laughed. "Well, you wouldn't be able to do your own hair, I know that. Let's get you into the bath, my lady. It should be drawn by now."

 Theodosia sighed as she lowered herself into the porcelain tub. The water was divinely hot and scented with vanilla. She willed herself to think of nothing. Sarah scrubbed the dirt out of her and then sat her back at her dressing table to begin the elaborate process of curling and braiding her hair.

The countess swept in soon after the process had begun, elaborately dressed in a gray flower-patterned silk dress and long strands of pearls. Her face was as dark as thunderclouds.

"Theodosia! Where have you been? It is simply disgraceful how much time you spend tromping about in the fields. Like a common scullery maid. You are lucky Sarah has quick fingers. Cecilia and I are already ready."

She sat down in a chair next to the dressing table and surveyed her daughter's appearance with a critical eye. "You must wear the white silk. You look so young and fresh in it. And the drop pearls at your ears, of course. Sarah, something different for her hair, please. Mr. Merton spends a great deal time of London and will only be impressed by the very latest style."

"Yes, my lady," murmured the maid.

Theodosia's mother sighed and patted the curls at her temples. "We have had a spot of good fortune that the Mertons have decided to drop in. Are you looking forward to seeing Edward at all?"

"I am looking forward to it as I would a spoonful of cod liver oil."

Her mother's eyes widened. "Good gracious! What a thing to say. Theodosia, you simply must make a good impression on Edward Merton." She shook her head and tried a softer tone. "We discussed this already. Mr. Merton is an excellent choice for a husband. Don't let fanciful ideas of love cloud your judgment. You can grow to love him in time. This is what your novels don't say, my dear: that one can choose to love as much as one can simply fall into it."

Theodosia held her mother's glance for a moment. She fought with her rising panic and desire to flee. Now that she had sampled Ahuil's world, her desire to behave was disappearing rapidly.

"I know, Mama," she said with imploring eyes. "But I don't want to learn to love him. If he was hideous yet kind and smart, I could love him easily. But Mr. Merton is petty and small-minded. He is not worth the effort, no matter his fortune and connections."

The countess was in no mood for argument. She shook her head and stood up. "You really do test me, Theodosia. I will say no more. It is your decision whether you wish to disappoint your father and me. I leave it in your capable hands."

Her mother swept out of the room. Theodosia realized she was trembling with anger. She grasped Sarah's hand. "Tell me something to bring me to my senses or I fear I will make a fool of my family tonight."

Sarah squeezed her hand and gently stroked her hair with the other. "My lady, don't think of your family. Think of yourself. Your future. You shall be mistress of a grand house and apart from the influence of your parents. Think of this as your escape, not as your prison."

"And what an escape it would be, to be tied to a man like Mr. Merton." Theodosia sighed. "Yet you are utterly right, Sarah, darling. I will be good. Let us finish up and I will try to recover myself."

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Man, the countess is a drag eh? Just kidding. We all know she wants the best for Theo. Anyway, thanks for continuing to read!

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