A Rogue of My Own Read Free

store clothes that didn’t need to be hung up.
    They hadn’t had to stuff Elizabeth’s clothes into her share of the wardrobes—too much. She’d actually been using one whole wardrobe for just two ball gowns, and another for what looked like an assortment of costumes.
    “There now,” Flora said, satisfied with the new arrangement. “We should be able to make do with just this one wall, so the lady can have the extra two wardrobes, but no more’n that. You’re not getting wrinkled just because she brought too many clothes to court. And you know,” Flora added, staring at the wall of empty wardrobes waiting to be filled with Rebecca’s clothes, “there’s no reason for you not to have a little light. These wardrobes aren’t ideally situated. Why block both windows when it isn’t necessary. They can be moved a little both ways so you can squeeze in there to open a window if necessary. I’ll borrow a strong shoulder when your trunks arrive.”
    Flora did just that, getting at least half of one window unblocked. The two men who carried in the first of Rebecca’s four trunks didn’t mind helping at all, once Flora smiled at them, and a dirty sheer, white curtain that had probably been hidden for months or longer was revealed. Flora promised to get it cleaned tomorrow.
    The maid left soon after that to get her own flat in order, chuckling on her way out the door, “My rooms are bigger than yours,” which left Rebecca smiling.
    Her humor didn’t last though. She was overwhelmed by how alone she was going to be here at court.
    She’d been tutored at home, so she’d never been separatedfrom her mother before. Not a day of her life had gone by without her mother being nearby. For that matter, Flora had been within shouting distance, too. But this court appointment was definitely a cutting of the apron strings, and it was happening much sooner than Rebecca had expected, and without her having a husband to rely on.
    Yes, there would be endless opportunities to socialize and meet interesting people, and, yes, she’d probably meet her future husband here. But deep down, Rebecca would have preferred a normal come-out during a normal Season, with her mother by her side. She just hadn’t been able to spoil her mother’s elation by telling her that. Yet they weren’t just mother and daughter. They were actually friends. She should have told her….

Chapter Three
    N OTHING WAS SCHEDULED FOR the remainder of the day, which was why Flora had left after unpacking the trunks. For Rebecca, it was time to relax, get settled in, and recover from an exhausting week. She had been assigned to the Duchess of Kent, Queen Victoria’s mother, but the duchess wasn’t even in residence today and wasn’t expected back until tomorrow.
    Rebecca stretched out on the bed. As she lay there, she thought about the queen. She was in residence, but Rebecca might never meet her. After all, not everyone who lived in the palace was introduced to the queen. Or she might meet her and they could become great friends. Anything was possible when you lived in the palace, Rebecca thought as she dozed off.
    “What did you do?” a shrill voice asked. “Why did you move those wardrobes? I sleep late. You will, too. We don’t need daylight waking us earlier than necessary.”
    What a rude awakening from her brief nap! Rebecca blinked her eyes open to see the young woman who hadentered the room and apparently lit one of the lamps next to the bed before she started her tirade. Short and plump, she was pushing at the seams of her orange day dress. She had dark golden hair tightly coiffured except for a few ringlets about her cherub cheeks. Someone should tell her that orange was not her color, Rebecca thought. It made her look sallow. She might have been pretty if she didn’t have such a snarling expression.
    Green eyes were glaring at the wall where half of a window was exposed. The sun had set while Rebecca had napped. No light was currently coming