lingered, wanting to make sure she had truly gone. Then—
Hannah released a whoop. Wrapping her arms around Charlotte’s stiff back, she danced her across the room in an excess of joy.
Charlotte laughed, a creaking and seldom-used reflex, and let Hannah whirl her around.
From the back of the house, they heard the patter of running feet, and Lady Temperly burst in. But while this Lady Temperly wore the same heavy clothing, she held the veil in her hand, and her face was that of a young and handsome woman. ”Did we do it?“
”We’ve done it. We’ve done it!“ Hannah sang.
”She hired Charlotte? She’s going to pay the placement fee?“
”Yes, Pamela, she did and she is.“ Charlotte still smiled. ”A hundred pounds! Hannah never even flinched when she asked for it.“
Miss Pamela Lockhart tossed the veil in the air and joined in the dance.
Still sober and proper, Cusheon entered and when they halted, out of breath, he said, ”If madams are ready, I would be happy to pour the celebratory toast.“
”Yes, oh, thank you, Cusheon.“ Hannah’s brown eyes sparkled as the old butler dusted off the bottle of brandy, opened it and poured them each a ladylike measure. ”Please take some yourself. We never could have done this without your help.“
Bowing, Cusheon complied. ”Thank you, madam, but you know Cook and I are most hopeful your venture will succeed. At our ages it would be difficult to find another position.“
”We will succeed. I know it,“ Pamela said.
”I know it, too, madam.“ Cusheon lifted his glass to them, then took a drink and slipped out.
They imitated Cusheon, lifting their glasses.
”Here’s to the real Lady Temperly,“ Hannah said. ”God rest her generous soul.“
”Here, here.“ Charlotte took a sip and grimaced. ”I hate brandy.“
”Drink it anyway,“ Hannah said. ”It builds blood.“
Pamela laughed at Hannah. ”That’s an old wives’ tale, and you are neither old nor a wife.“
Now Hannah grimaced.
Charlotte’s gaze grew troubled as it swept Pamela’s deceptive garb, and she picked up the veil and fingered it. ”Are you sure this artifice was necessary?“
Among the three friends, Charlotte was always a stickler for absolute truthfulness. Hannah and Pamela exchanged glances, then together went to work on once again convincing Charlotte they had done the right thing.
Pamela began. ”You know we agreed on this. We simply gave the illusion of success to ease any uneasiness our first client may have experienced.“
”We’re starting a new venture, and we must succeed or we’ll lose this townhouse.“ Hannah gestured around her. ”Lady Temperly left it to me, but there’s no money. Do you want me to have to sell from lack of funds?“
”No, but—“
”We have seized our good fortune.“ Hannah wrapped her arm around Charlotte’s shoulder and walked with her toward the fire. ”In this house, we have a place to train and place other women who have need of a position. As proprietresses of the Distinguished Academy of Governesses, we pass on our knowledge and entice the ton into paying us a placement fee for our students.“
Charlotte sank into the chair. ”But we’re not who we say we are.“
”We are, too. You are Lady Charlotte Dalrumple, also known as Miss Priss for your mastery in teaching adolescents the proprieties. She is Miss Hannah Setterington, companion to the much-traveled Lady Temperly until her death a mere month ago.“ Pamela struck a pose. ”And I am Miss Pamela Lockhart—or will be once I’m out of these clothes.“
Charlotte still looked doubtful.
”Charlotte, I have ten years of experience with children,“ Pamela said earnestly. ”Hannah really was Lady Temperly’s companion. We have the qualifications to do what we plan to do.“
”Once we find employment for ourselves and build up a few fees, we’ll be able to help other women who, like us, have nowhere to go when the term of their employment is finished.“