Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (Love By Numbers #1)(21)

A quick knock sounded, and Callie watched in her looking glass as the door swung open to reveal her maid. Registering the stern look on the older woman’s face, Callie felt her grin fade as the door clicked shut.

“Good morning, Anne.” She quickly slid the list under a book of Byron’s poetry.

“Calpurnia Hartwell,” Anne said, slowly, “what have you done?”

Callie’s eyes slid away from the older woman, settling on a large mahogany wardrobe. “I should like to get dressed,” she said, brightly, “I have an appointment this morning.”

“With the Marquess of Ralston?”

Callie’s eyes widened. “How did you—What?—No!”

“Really? I find that difficult to believe, considering there is a man from Ralston House downstairs waiting for a response to the missive that just arrived for you.”

Callie’s breath caught as she noticed the piece of paper in the older woman’s hands. She stood, moving across the room. “Let me see.”

Anne crossed her arms across her ample bosom, hiding the missive under one arm. “Why is the Marquess of Ralston sending you messages, Callie?”

Callie flushed. “I—I don’t know.”

“You are a terrible liar. Have been since you were in swaddling clothes.” Anne was like a dog with a bone. “You’ve been pining for Ralston for years, Callie-girl. Why has he suddenly taken an interest?”

“I—he hasn’t!” She attempted a firm tone, extending her hand. “I should like my correspondence, Anne.”

Anne smiled before asking casually, “Were you with Ralston last night?”

Callie froze, heat flooding her cheeks, before blurting out, “Of course not!”

Anne gave her a knowing look. “Well, you were somewhere. I heard you sneak through the servants’ entrance just before sunrise.”

Callie headed for the wardrobe, throwing open the doors to distract herself from the conversation at hand. “You know, Anne, just because you’ve cared for me since birth does not give you leave to speak to me so freely.”

Anne gave a little laugh. “Of course it does.” The maid took advantage of Callie’s movement away from her dressing table, removing the list from its hiding place and reading it.

Callie turned back at Anne’s scandalized gasp. Noting the paper in her maid’s hand, she cried out, “No! Give it back!”

“Callie! What have you done?”

“Nothing!” She snatched the paper back, then paused, taking in Anne’s look of disbelief. “Well, nothing really.”

“That paper doesn’t appear to be nothing.”

“I would prefer not to discuss it.”

“I’m sure you would.”

“It’s nothing. It’s just a list.”

“A scandalous list. Of things that young unmarried females do not do.”

Callie turned back to the wardrobe, shoving her head deep into the piece of furniture in the hopes of ending the conversation. When she pulled a peach day dress out and turned back, Anne was still waiting for a response. With a sigh, she muttered, “Well, perhaps young unmarried females should take advantage of their youthful and unshackled state and try some of those things.”

Anne blinked at the frank words. And then she laughed. “You completed one of these items already.”

“I did.” Callie blushed.

Anne squinted at the paper, making out the obscured words. When she looked up in shock, Callie turned away. “Well, Calpurnia Hartwell. You didn’t waste any time taking what you’ve wanted for years.”

Callie couldn’t help the little smile that played across her lips.

“You were with Ralston last night!”

Callie’s flaming cheeks spoke volumes.

“I shall tell you one thing,” Anne said, a hint pride in her voice. “You’re the only girl I’ve ever known to make a list like that and actually follow through on it.” Her tone shifted, “Of course, if you’re not ruined in a week, I shall be even more surprised than I am now.”

“I have plans to be very careful,” Callie protested.

Anne shook her head. “Unless you work for the War Office, Callie-mine, you can’t do half of the things on that list without your reputation collapsing into the gutter.” She paused. “You do know that, don’t you?”

Callie gave a little nod. “Is it wrong that I don’t much care this morning?”

“Yes. You cannot do it all, Callie. Gamble? At a men’s club? Are you mad?”

Callie grew serious. “No.” The two fell silent for a long moment. Finally, Callie seemed to find the words she was looking for. “But, Anne, it was so wonderful. It was the most incredible, freeing adventure. Can you blame me for wanting more?”

“It appears that you are already getting more than you’ve bargained for. Give me that.” Anne took the peach muslin from Callie and exchanged it for a grass green jaconet day dress.

“What was wrong with the one I chose?”

“Oh, stop pouting. If we are going to Ralston House, this is the gown you’ll wear. You look lovely in green.”

Callie accepted the dress, watching as Anne rummaged for underclothes. “We are not going to Ralston House.”