The Debutante (The Sinclair Society Series, Book Two) Rough Draft

Chapter Thirteen

"Mr. Ingram," I said, curling my gloved hands tightly. Why had I taken the quiet few days for granted? I'd wondered when the man would approach me, and now here he was. "Why do you worry about my opinion? No one regards the thoughts of a maid as anything worthwhile."

"Mr. Harper seems to," Mr. Ingram said, swinging his cane as he walked. "In fact, I would wager he's half in love with you already, which is could not be better for my plans."
For a moment, I wasn't sure which part of that statement to focus on. What plans could he have that would involve Oswyn Harper? And what did he mean—"Mr. Harper? In love with me? Surely you jest."

"It is amusing, isn't it? I do wonder, though, if he knows you as the eligible Miss Sinclair or as the entirely too forward Miss Nelson?"

Gritting my teeth, I continued walking. Perhaps he would abandon the ridiculous line of conversation and tell me what he'd sought me out for. "Well, it doesn't matter," the man said after a long pause. "It will merely make it easier for you to accomplish what I wish you to do, which I'm sure you will appreciate."

"And what errand do you wish for me to accomplish? I have no more of my brother's belongings to give up and no fortune of any kind for you to take advantage of. You can have no further use for me."

Reaching over, the man took my hand and pulled it over to rest on his arm. "You mustn't put yourself down in such a manner, my dear Miss Sinclair," he said as though he was comforting me. "You see, Mr. Harper is a clever young man in possession of information, letters, and such. Things I would dearly like to know."

I could well believe that! "I imagine there are many things you would like to know," I said dismissively. "However, like us all, you will have to console yourself with not knowing."

"I hope I'm not going to have to remind you of what I know about you."

Annoyed, I glared at him and tried to pull my hand back. "I suppose you don't consider a statement such as you just uttered a reminder."

His fingers tightened around my hand, making it near impossible to get free. "You're lovely when you're angry," he said, his tone complimentary. "Unless you wish for Mr. Harper and others to know that the lady's maid they've met is truly the daughter of a disgraced family, I suggest you do as I say."

"Disgraced family? How dare you—"

He chuckled and once again patted my hand. Doing so meant that he was no longer holding my hand in place, so I took the opportunity to pull away from him. He didn't seem to take notice though. "Such surprise! I'm certain you have heard that the Sinclair family sold information to France and were traitors."

My annoyance shifted to anger. "It's a lie! Those were malicious rumors and no one takes them seriously!"

"Perhaps it is, or perhaps it's not. What society will think, though, is that your family is guilty," Mr. Ingram said, shrugging his shoulders. "Of course, it's your reputation that is at stake. How grieved do you imagine your dear Aunt Beth will be if she learns everyone knew you have been working as a maid?"

I didn't have to imagine. My aunt would be nothing short of devastated if my farce became revealed to all. Mr. Ingram had certainly done his best in learning all he could of my family. "How would you feel knowing you'd broken an old woman's heart?"

"I wouldn't be the one breaking her heart, though, would I? After all, your actions are your own. Now, let's not argue over this point. We both know you will do as I ask."

"Do we?" In that moment, I made a split second decision, one that I knew would have serious consequence. "Well, Mr. Ingram, I regret to inform you that I am unable to comply with your request at this time."