Nellie knew that wasn’t going to happen until he stopped possessing her thoughts. But he was always there in her mind, no matter how she tried to divert herself. He was there when she made polite conversation with her clients. She couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing when she was taking a drink after work at the local public house. But, worst of all, she couldn’t stop herself from obsessing over him when she was back in her rooms. Then all she could think of was the memory of him in her bed, with his muscular chest naked except for the bandages. And once she had thought of that there was no way she could stop her mind from straying to the memory of that kiss, the way he had taken control, had lifted her on to the table, had kissed and caressed her.
She ran her tongue along her lips, remembering that kiss, remembering the masculine taste of him, remembering his intoxicating scent, all musk, leather and sandalwood.
How could she have not reacted the way she had? How could she not have become consumed by passion and desire by such a kiss? Once again, she became completely lost in the memory. Her body reacted as if he was kissing her again, caressing her again. Like the foolish girl she was, her lips throbbed with the memory, her heart pounded faster, her skin tingled, craving his touch.
A touch that would never come.
Nellie wiped away her tears, shook her head to drive away those tormenting memories and stood up straight. This would not do at all. She needed to get her thoughts under control. She placed the combs into a solution to be washed, determined to try to act as if she was a professional businesswoman, not some silly shop girl who had fallen for the wrong man.
Harriet entered the parlour and handed Nellie a white calling card with embossed gold lettering. When Nellie saw the name on the card her legs went weak beneath her and she grabbed the back of the nearest armchair to stop herself from falling. She had to fight to remain upright. It was essential to remain calm and at least pretend a whirlwind of emotions hadn’t been released within her at the sight of that name.
‘There’s a lady outside who says she’d like to have a word with you,’ Harriet said.
Nellie gripped the card tightly and drew in a few breaths to steady her rampaging heartbeat. ‘Thank you, Harriet. Ask her to come through here, will you, please?’
Harriet disappeared behind the curtain. Nellie stared at her startled reflection and forced herself to breathe in and out, slowly and deeply. Whatever Lady Cecily had come to say to her she would just take it. For once in her life she would accept every remonstration that was thrown her way. She would say nothing in her defence. After all, how could you ever justify behaviour that was indefensible?
Lady Cecily pushed past the curtain and smiled at Nellie. It was not the expression Nellie expected to see. It was the first time she had seen Lady Cecily smile and it transformed her usually dour countenance, both softening and lighting up her face. But why she should be smiling now, of all times, was a mystery. And why should she be smiling at Nellie, of all people? That was even more mysterious. She should be consumed with anger, snarling at Nellie, not smiling.
‘Nellie, I am so pleased to see you again,’ she said, still smiling.
Nellie knew she should curtsy and attempt a polite smile back, but instead she stood in the middle of the room, too surprised and wary to move. They stood staring at each other, one smiling, the other frozen to the spot. Then Nellie remembered her manners. She bobbed a quick curtsy and gestured towards an armchair.
Lady Cecily sat down, tucking her skirt underneath her. Nellie remained standing until Lady Cecily gestured for her to also sit. Slowly Nellie lowered herself into the chair, still holding her breath, her stomach clenching, her shoulders tense.
She was desperate to hear what Lady Cecily had to say, to get it over and done with, but also dreading what was to come. All Nellie knew for certain was that for probably the first time in her life she was going to have to remember her place and not speak until asked to.
‘Oh, Nellie, I’ve come to thank you,’ Lady Cecily said, her smile growing even bigger.
Nellie nearly fell off her chair but managed to stop herself by gripping the arms. But she wasn’t able to stop her mouth from falling open.
Slowly, she closed her gaping mouth and swallowed. ‘Thank me?’ she asked, her voice strangely high pitched.
‘Yes. My life has changed completely and I couldn’t be happier. And it’s all thanks to you, Nellie.’
‘Oh?’ Nellie said, as much a question as a statement. Presumably she had given Dominic his marching orders and quite right to. Nellie would have done exactly the same if she had seen her fiancé kissing another woman. But why should she be so happy about her engagement coming to an end and in such scandalous circumstances? And why should she be thanking Nellie, of all people?
‘Well, I...’ Lady Cecily paused, her face serious as she looked at Nellie.
Nellie braced herself and gripped the crumpled calling card in her hand more tightly. Now she was going to get the reprimand she so rightly deserved.
‘You don’t mind if I call you Nellie, do you?’
A strange buzzing sound erupted in Nellie’s head as she tried to order her confused thoughts. ‘No. No, I don’t mind at all,’ she said. She deserved to be called much worse names than her own given name.
‘Good, thank you.’ Lady Cecily’s smile returned. ‘Yes, I took your advice and it’s changed my life. I’m a free woman now and I’m
