Eloping with the Princess (Brotherhood of the Sword #3)(11)

Once they had entered the bedchamber, the pretty redhead rang for a maid and requested a bath be prepared. She then retrieved a dressing gown and other clothing items from the armoire and placed them on the bed.

“We’re about the same height, though, I’m a bit rounder than you,” she said with a wink. “This likely won’t fit perfectly, but it should be workable for the time being.”

“Thank you, Miss Marrington.” Was this how all people were in London? You simply arrived at someone’s house, regardless of the time of day or night, and they gave you a room and clothing and whatever else you needed? That had not been her perception of things based on her uncle.

“Please, call me Evelyn. Or Evie.” They sat in the small sitting area near the windows as the maids busied themselves bringing in buckets of steaming water. “Would you care to talk about what has happened? I noticed Jason’s head injury.” Evie winked. “Did you do that?”

“Heavens no. It is rather a long story, or at least it seems that it should be. Suffice it to say, my aunt removed me from my school and brought me to Jason for protection, and then some great oaf kidnapped me after striking Jason on the head. But somehow he found me, and that is how we ended up here.” Isabel shrugged and offered Evie the best grin she could manage.

“Goodness. You have had quite the ordeal. I know you must be exhausted and frightened.” Evie met her gaze with sympathetic eyes. “Not too long ago, I was put in danger. Attacked, injured, and to be honest, utterly terrified.”

Isabel wondered at the odd turn of the conversation, then she realized that Evelyn was trying to make her feel at ease.

“I’m not certain to what extent you’re involved in any of this, but I want you to know that those men downstairs will do whatever it takes to ensure your safety,” Evie said.

“Viscount Ellis, he is your cousin?” Isabel asked.

Evie smiled warmly. “He is. One I am rather fond of, too. He’s a very good man.” Evie squeezed Isabel’s hand. “Just know this,” she said. “Your life might be in an upheaval right now, but it won’t always be this way. Ellis will protect you.”

That was the second time she’d been assured of that, and she’d already been kidnapped once in between. Isabel eyed the woman before her with her fiery hair and fair complexion. “How can you be so certain?”

“Lord Somersby and I are to be married soon. He kept me safe amid extreme danger.” She smiled warmly. “And that was before we fell in love.”

Isabel nodded. She certainly didn’t know this woman, but something about Evelyn Marrington spoke deeply about sincerity and truth. Isabel felt certain she could be trusted.

“Before you know it, all of this will be over and you can return to your regular life,” Evie said.

But Isabel’s regular life was gone. She couldn’t very well return to St. Bart’s. As it was, she’d stayed far longer than most students did. So where would that leave her? It was selfish to expect Lilith to care for her. Lilith herself was young and beautiful and had just spent several years trapped in a marriage to a wretched man. The woman deserved some freedom.

There was a general perception about the students who lived at St. Bart’s and the adjacent boy’s school, St. Basil’s, that the children were all born outside the laws of marriage. It wasn’t true, at least not completely, but that was the reputation the schools had. Because of this, Isabel had always assumed that there were rumors surrounding her birth, and therefore that she would not be fit or accepted into proper Society. She was too much of a lady to be accepted in the lower class, yet not enough of a lady to marry into high Society, especially with no fortune to her name. From an early age, she’d settled on the hopes of being hired as a governess to a good family.

The maids finished setting up the bath, and Evie stood to leave. She motioned for one of the maids to come forward. “This is Beatrice, and she will assist you.”

“I can bathe myself,” Isabel said.

“Of course, dear, whatever you’re most comfortable with. But she can assist you, should you require it,” Evelyn said. “Feel free to send for me if you need anything else.”

“Thank you for being so kind.”

Evie looked at her strangely as if the notion were entirely foreign. “Of course.”

Beatrice remained as the other women filed out of the room.

Isabel turned her back to the maid to give her access to the buttons on her dress. She’d, of course, had use of a maid on a few occasions, but none too recently. Lord Thornton had never invited her to his estates or townhome.

She sank into the warm bath water and sighed. It had been ages since she’d had the luxury of a bath. On occasion at school, usually during holidays when mostly everyone had left, she would sneak into the wash quarters and make one for herself. Those tubs, however, had not been intended for bathing, and she’d never been able to stretch out as she did now. This was heavenly.

They had infused the water with some sort of flower oil, and the water lapped at her skin, making her feel clean for the first time in days.

“Shall I tend to your hair?” Beatrice asked.

Guilt gnawed at her. She was perfectly capable of tending to herself, but the luxury of someone else washing her hair was too tempting to deny. Just this once. “Yes, please,” Isabel said.