Downunder Heat Page 10

  “I don’t know,” Susan said miserably, although her misery wasn’t sufficient to make her put down the sandwich she held in her hand. “My mother wrote him several letters, but we had no reply.”

  Lady Milthorpe folded her hands in her lap. “Perhaps you’d better tell me the whole story. There might be something I can do.”

  Although she knew no reason why Lady Milthorpe should take any responsibility for Susan or for her brother’s disappearance, Susan found herself pouring the whole story in her hostess’ sympathetic ear. She finished the tale by describing what had happened just before Lady Milthorpe had appeared on her own doorstep.

  “You poor creature,” the woman said. “Have you no other relatives in London? No one at all to whom you might apply for help?”

  “No one,” Susan replied. In spite of her now full stomach, another wave of dizziness hit her as she came to an awful realization. If Charles had indeed left the country, if Lady Milthorpe had told her the truth, then Susan was stranded. She didn’t have enough money to go home, and no way of getting any.

  She despised weak, crying females. No matter what had happened to her, she prided herself on staying strong, showing a determined, cheerful countenance to her mother and the girls, but she couldn’t stop the tears falling onto her cheeks.

  “There’s no need for despair.” Lady Milthorpe placed her hand over Susan’s. In spite of the fire burning in the room, the touch of the woman’s icy fingers sent a chill rippling down Susan’s spine. “Would I offend you if I were to offer you an opportunity for some employment?”

  Relief brought on another wave of dizziness. The woman had already been more than kind. Her good nature apparently knew no bounds. Any position offered to her by an obviously prosperous, socially acceptable person such as Lady Milthorpe had to be respectable.

  Susan would be happy to act as a governess or a housekeeper. As the oldest daughter, she’d had plenty of experience in helping manage a household. Even if she were only to be offered a maid’s duties, she’d still accept gratefully. She couldn’t afford to be picky. “I wouldn’t be offended at all. I welcome the opportunity to find some respectable way to support my family, especially since Charles seems to have abandoned us.”

  Lady Milthorpe looked her over from head to toe, her eyes assessing. Once more Susan felt an inexplicable chill.

  “I have an acquaintance who likes to entertain, who takes pride in offering select guests a very special experience.”

  “Someone who needs a housekeeper!” Excitement swirled in Susan’s chest. She knew she could oversee the production and service of meals to lend credit to any family. “Such a position would suit me perfectly.” She leaned forward, eager to show Lady Milthorpe why she could handle the job, despite her youth and inexperience. “Before my father died, we often held dinners and entertained. Even though I’m young for the position, I’m sure I could send up as good a dinner as would be required. I am quite adept at household management.”

  Lady Milthorpe’s lips stretched into a tight smile. “There is no need to convince me. I can see you have exactly the qualities needed for this post.” She turned to face Susan but didn’t quite meet her eyes. “You must be tired. I’ll have one of the servants show you to a room. Oh dear.” She lifted two fingers to cover her mouth. The gesture seemed artificial but perhaps Susan was too tired or too unfamiliar with the ways of London society to tell. “How clumsy of me. This used to be your home. I’m sure you know your way around. I keep all the bedrooms made up. Do feel free to take the one you were used to sleeping in—or any other if it takes your fancy.”

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  About the Author

  Alysha Ellis lives in Australia and when she isn’t busy drinking champagne, eating chocolate and letting her inner tart run free, she writes erotic comedy. Her favorite quote comes from Mae West… A hard man is good to find. Who could argue with that? Alysha tries very hard to be bad, because bad girls have all the fun.

  Email: alyshaellis@yahoo.com.au

  Alysha loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.totallybound.com.

  Also by Alysha Ellis

  Send Me An Angel

  The Devil Made Me Do It

  Lone Wolf

  Downunder Heat

  Her Lord’s Table

  Sharing the Billionaire: Submitting to Him

  At Your Service: The Gardener’s Sins

  Lasso Lovin’: Claiming the Cowboys

  Bodices and Boudoirs: A Boudoir for Three