It bothered her at first when they started calling her such a horrible nickname. Now she takes it as a symbol of pride. The Lord knows what he's doing. She's learned to trust him, besides, only a mouse could get away with what she does on a daily basis.
Chapter 4
“Welcome to our home, Gentlemen,” Lady Hubbard says proudly.
“Let me present my Grandfather, Matthew Sheridan,” Declan says.
“A pleasure to meet you, Lord Sheridan,” Lady Hubbard replies.
“Call me, Matthew, please. We are about to become a family.” He shakes Lord Hubbard's hand and steps back.
“That we are.” Reagan’s father laughs loudly.
“Your home is exquisite,” Declan gives the expected response as he steps inside the mansion's grand hall. New York's Central avenue is where the elite build their mansions. Each one trying to outdo the other. It is incredible the lengths some will go to feel unique.
“Did I see polished limestone in the entry way?” His grandfather inquires.
“Good eye,” Lord Hubbard replies with a smile.
A valet offers to take their coats and moves away to hang them on the hook by the door just as the cook announces dinner is served. The men follow Lord Hubbard as he discusses how the home was designed and decorated by repeated trips to Europe.
“All the stones used in the build were brought over from a quarry in France. We have a ten-room French Mansion, something simple. I didn't want it to be ostentatious.”
Lady Hubbard waves at the staff lining the halls with a hand of dismissal. They instantly step back in one smooth motion. “You know how hard it is to find good help,” she giggles and takes her husband’s arm.
London stands quietly, looking straight ahead and avoids looking at Declan, she knows what he looks like. It only took one glance to burn the memory of him in her mind. Declan is six-foot-tall, with blue, black wavy hair and dark denim blue eyes. It is evident by the way he holds himself that he is of regal lineage.
Reagan steps back towards London and glances nervously at her as if pleading for help. London shakes her head, subtly.
“We'll give you a tour before dinner,” Lady Hubbard walks with her husband pointing out each piece of art, being sure to explain how much each one cost. She gestures to the unique sculptures lining the bookshelves and gives detailed information on the houses they were copied from.
“Reagan, would you care to join us?” Declan asks.
“I've seen it,” Reagan glances once more at London and thinks about faking a sudden illness while Declan glares at his Grandfather, who clears his throat and follows them around the room.
London watches the anger flash across Lady Hubbard’s face when she looks at Reagan, and inwardly groans I’m gonna pay for this later, she thinks.
“George will show you around,” Lady Hubbard says and steps back while the men leave.
Lady Hubbard moves to Reagan and whispers, “Don’t embarrass your father.”
“Of course not,” Reagan instantly follows the men, leaving the hall.
“You’re dismissed,” she snaps at the staff. “Not you!” she growls at London.
She waits for the staff to leave and grabs London by her upper arm. “I don't know what kind of nonsense you've been filling her head with, but she will marry Lord Sheridan, and if you do anything to mess that up, I'll make sure that you end up in a workhouse!”
London inhales in shock. “I’d never destroy her chances at a good life, Lady Hubbard.”
“Make sure that you don’t, Mouse!” she shoves her away. “Go to your room.”
London obeys instantly, and when she closed the door behind her, she is trembling with anger.
“I've got to get out of here!” Is it possible that Lady Hubbard knows about her father? Only if she searched her room. Time to find a better hiding spot. London grabs the letter opener from her desk and pries at a loose wooden floor-board close to the corner of the bedroom.
“Surely she wouldn’t think to look here,” she chews her lip nervously and looks inside at the few treasured items from her family. Her mother’s 14K gold black enamel 2-picture locket. Black enameled front adorned with gold engraved leaves and flowers accented with tiny seed pearls. The back of the locket is made with shiny black enamel. Inside there are two picture compartments covered with glass. London lifts it out from its hiding spot and draws out the envelope of cash, which she keeps in case she needs to make a speedy exit. Finally, her birth certificate and parent's personal documents. She nods contentedly, “Lady Hubbard wouldn’t be caught dead on her hands and knees.”
“Tomorrow, I will take all of this to Dillon. She can store them with my trunk of dresses that she keeps for me.” London packs everything in a small carpet bag and shoves it back inside the floor before replacing the missing board.
Time to write a note and slip it inside Declan’s coat before he leaves. She sits at her small wooden desk and writes, “Please be warned. Lord Hubbard and his business associates are targeting Sheridan Furniture Company for a takeover.” London sneaks from her room with the paper tucked in her pocket and runs to drop the note in the interior pocket of his overcoat.
Declan is disgusted. George Hubbard just found out his daughter is engaged, and all he can talk about is business. Dinner was awkward as they struggled to find common ground. For a young woman about to be married, Reagan is oddly quiet. He glances at his grandfather,
