Rules of Engagement Read Free Page A

parents had been wealthy and well connected, but never, never had Pamela revealed how far she had fallen when the tragedy had overtaken her.
    Pamela continued softly, "Her Majesty was then and I'm sure is now a person of much good judgment—obviously, if she is threatening Lord Kerrich in some manner. And she is surrounded by every wise adviser—Lord Melbourne and now Prince Albert. I think we can trust she will be protected from his machinations."
    Hannah couldn't believe Pamela had kept so much of her background hidden, or that she clearly meant to stop now, after revealing such a tantalizing hint of former glory. "Do you know Lord Kerrich, then?"
    Pamela had a gray cast to her skin that dulled her normally bright blue eyes, and her brief laugh contained a tinge of hysteria. "Long ago we met briefly. He won't remember."
    "But—"
    "He is far too important to recognize me." Pamela lowered her head as if the weight of her memories were too much to carry. "I had a different name then."
    Pamela chose to go by her mother's family name, rather than her father's. Hannah didn't blame her, but she was expecting too much if she thought Hannah wouldn't be curious. "Please, tell me—"
    "Don't press me."
    Hannah heard the note of finality, and subdued the innumerable questions that clamored to be asked. "As you wish. But even if you are safe from identification, surely you also must think of the child. He will be hurt, no matter what Lord I'm-so-handsome says."
    "I'll protect the child."
    "You love children!"
    Pamela turned on her in a fury. "I said, I'll protect the child!"
    Hannah stepped back in astonishment.
    Pamela's fury faded quickly, leaving her shivering in great convulsions. "We need the money."
    "Come to the fire, dear." But Pamela didn't move, and Hannah insisted, "We are not so desperate as that!"
    "Yes, we are," Pamela said in gritty perturbation.
    Taking her shoulders, Hannah asked, "What's wrong?"
    Pamela jerked herself free and trudged into the study, discarding her drooping bonnet onto the floor.
    Hannah followed, picking up the hat, shocked that her normally tidy friend could be so careless. "Pamela?"
    Pamela ran her hands through her hair, pulling off the white net and quite a few pins in the process.
    Hannah winced. That must have hurt, but Pamela didn't seem to notice. She just stood before the fire and held her hands to it even though she still wore her soaked kid gloves. Something had happened. Something hideous. But Pamela seldom told her troubles.
    Asking would get Hannah nowhere, so she tried guile. "How can you pass as a plain older woman?"
    Pamela raised her gaze from her now-steaming gloves. "When Lady Temperly expired and willed you this house, she left her clothing, did she not? I will wear it."
    "Lady Temperly was tall! She topped you by two inches, and she had a pronounced dowager's hump."
    "Yes. That will do." Pamela stripped off the gloves and tossed them on the settle. "I'll wear some pale powder and glaring rouge, just as the older women do. I'll pass. I have to."
    "And what about those families who have previously employed you? What will they say when they see you so disguised?"
    "I'm a governess, not a social butterfly. As always, I'll remain in the background, and in any case, I've always worked outside of London. The chance of seeing someone who will recognize me is slim."
    "Pamela, what's wrong ?"
    Pamela rubbed the place between her eyes as if in pain. "Do you remember when Charlotte, you and I were all desperate for employment, and we decided to try and make a go of the Distinguished Academy of Governesses? How we hoped we could help others find appropriate places of employment and make our fortune at the same time?"
    "Yes, of course I do." Desperation had led Hannah to propose the plan. Desperation and ambition, for if the three friends didn't discover some way to make a living not dependent on the whims of the ton, they would never have control over their fates.
    Pamela, even more than the