Maid to Be Mine: A Regency Cinderella Story (20 page)

“
Are you feeling better?” James asked, pleased to see the color returning to her cheeks. When he saw Cynthia's nod, he swore he could feel his heart sighing in relief. “Good. Because now that we're alone, there is something I must ask...”

Cynthia's entire body trembled with anticipation. She kept her hands behind her back; she did not want him to see how badly they were shaking. “What is it, my lord?”

“
I... want to...” Lord Charmington knew the reason for his hesitation. He wanted her more than anything in the world, but Cynthia was a maid, and his mother would never approve.

“
Whatever you need to ask me, my lord, you needn't be afraid.”
His proposal was coming—she could feel it!
“
You may ask me anything.”

“
I...” He took a deep breath. No matter how much he wanted to be with her, he could not ignore his reservations. They would always be there in the back of his mind, eating away at him. “Why did Lady Edith not come?”

Chapter Twenty One

“
Ed...ith?” Cynthia was gobsmacked. What if, all along, Edith was the one he wanted to marry? What if Edith was the reason for his regular visits to Montforth Hall? As much as she adored Edith, she could feel her bitterness mounting.

“
I wanted every female of marrying age to be here. She said she was a spinster, but I happen to disagree. She is a kind, handsome woman, and any man would be lucky to have her.”

“
What about
you
, my lord?” Cynthia asked. “The way you speak of her, it sounds as if you care for her. Is Edith your heart's desire?”

“
No.” His answer flew from his mouth. “And it's high time for me to be honest with you, Cynthia. I am sure this is hardly surprising, considering how frequently I have sought you out.” Lord Charmington reached for her hands and pulled them to his lips. He held her fingers against his mouth, kissing them several times. “
You
are my heart's desire.”

“
But I'm--”

“
Please, hear me out,” he interrupted. “I know you're a maid... I know that. But it doesn't matter to me. Ever since the day we met, I have been in Cupid's grip. The way I was drawn to you... I had never experienced anything like it! It was, without a doubt, love at first sight.”

“
Are you saying you love me, Lord Charmington?”

“
Yes!” He shouted his answer to the heavens. “Yes, yes! I've been in love with you for quite some time... only now am I willing to admit it! You know the reason for this ball, do you not? I was supposed to choose a wife. When you stepped through the door, my heart was momentarily frozen. It was as if the hand of fate was reaching out to me! It was as if divine intervention had stepped in to give me the sign I needed.” James cradled her palm against his cheek. “We are meant to be together, you and I.”

“
Is this really how you feel, my lord?”

“
It is!” His dark blue eyes were fastened on hers. “After I pour out my heart to you, how could you possibly doubt it?” James released her hand and sunk to his knees. “Marry me, Cynthia!”

“
You really want to marry me?!” Cynthia could feel tears gathering in her eyes. “Even though you think I'm... a servant?!”

“
I want it more than I have ever wanted anything! I want to wake up every morning and see you beside me. I want to sift my fingers through your glorious hair... to taste your soft, saccharine lips. I want you in my life, and nothing will make me change my mind!”

His confessions of love were making her light-headed; the night's outcome was even more wonderful than she imagined. “I... I don't know what to say.”

“
Say you'll marry me! Make me the happiest man in the world!” He was still on his knees, so he leaned forward and rested his head against her stomach. “I love you, Cynthia!”

“
I love you too...”

When he heard her response, Lord Charmington gazed at her with trembling lips. “You do?! You love me?!”

“
I do. And I want to marry you! I want that more than anything in the world!”

James leapt to his feet and pulled her against his chest. “You have no idea how happy this makes me!”

“
And me as well,” Cynthia said. “But first, there is something I must tell you. Something about... my past.”

“
There is nothing you could tell me that would change my mind about you, dearest Cynthia. Whatever you need to say, say it. My heart will always be yours.”

“
Well...” Cynthia motioned toward a bench in the garden. “I think we should probably sit.”

“
Of course.” James took her by the arm and led her to the bench, a cold stone slab surrounded by English roses. Once they were sitting, he plucked a rose, checked it for thorns, then handed it to her.

She accepted the flower with a smile. “Thank you.”

“
My pleasure.” He tucked a lock of Cynthia's golden hair behind her pixie-shaped ear. He could hardly tear his eyes away from that ear, as perfect as it was. Every inch of her was a testament to perfection. “Now... what did you need to tell me, my love?”

Cynthia closed her eyes for several seconds. Why was she so afraid? If this moment was going to change her life, it could only change it for the better. “I am not who you think I am, my lord.”

“
What do you mean?”

Cynthia spun the rose's stem between her fingers. As she spoke, she kept her eyes on the spinning red petals. “I am an earl's daughter.”

Lord Charmington's eyes swelled. “Pardon?!”

“
I am Lord Montforth's daughter... the former Lord Montforth, that is,” Cynthia explained. “He passed away not long ago.”

“
But you... when I see you...” Lord Charmington took a deep breath as he struggled to express his thoughts. “Why are you working as a maid in Montforth Hall?!”

“
My stepmother, Jemima, hates me more than anyone in the world. I am not sure why... perhaps it is jealousy? Or perhaps she does not want me stealing her daughter's glory? Whatever it is, she has always hated me... and when my father died, she took away everything I had, and she made me work with the servants.”

“
But that's impossible!” James exclaimed. “How would she have the authority to do such a thing?!”

“
She had the support of my cousin, the new Lord Montforth,” Cynthia explained. “Rolly wanted me to marry him, and when I continued to refuse, he was not merciful.”

“
Why did you let them do this to you?!” James tenderly brushed a forefinger across her cheek. “Why not leave?”

“
And where would I go?” Cynthia asked with a shrug. “I have no other family to turn to. I have no money of my own. I have nothing, my lord. I have--”

He laid a finger over her lips. “How many times have I told you to call me
James
, you silly girl?”

“
My apologies,
James.”
Cynthia smiled at him. “Now that we are engaged, I suppose I
should
start calling you by your Christian name. Assuming, of course, your feelings for me have not changed?”

“
Goodness, no!” Cynthia's absurd suggestion made him chuckle. “Why in the world would you think that?! All this time, the only thing that held me back was the fact that you
were
a maid... but I fell for you regardless. Now I see no reason why we should not be together. It is
perfect
! And it explains a lot, come to think of it. For a maid, you were an extraordinary dancer.”

“
And
an avid reader,” she pointed out. Cynthia laid her flower aside and reached for James' hand. She held it in her lap, massaged his fingers, and gently caressed his knuckles. “I feel like everything is perfect now. I have nothing to be afraid of anymore.”

“
You don't. I'll take care of you, Cynthia. When you are my wife, I will make you the happiest woman in the world. Your happiness will be my life's purpose.” James stared at her lips, which he had been dying to taste. “I want to kiss you.”

Her heart buckled at the thought. “You do?”

“
So much,” James said. “I cannot even begin to tell you how much I want to have your lips on mine.”

“
I've never been kissed before,” Cynthia quietly confessed. “Ever since we met, I have wanted my first kiss to be yours.”

“
I want your heart to be mine as well.” He leaned toward her, slowly closing the distance between their mouths.

“
It
is
yours. My heart was always yours.”

As his lips descended, they were interrupted by a gruff, “
Ahem!
” There was someone standing behind them, and they did not approve of their conduct.

When Cynthia turned around, her spirits plummeted.

Her stepmother was glaring at her.

Chapter Twenty Two

“
Goodness!” Jemima exclaimed. “This is a bit inappropriate, is it not?” Her voice had taken on a sickly-sweet tone, likely for Lord Charmington's benefit. “You should not be alone in the garden with a gentleman, dear.”

Cynthia rose from the bench, ready to stand her ground. “He has just asked me to marry him!”

“
Has he?! Oh my!” Jemima tightened her lips and forced a smile. “And what did you say to him, Cynthia?”

“
I want to be his wife,” Cynthia said. “I
need
to be his wife!”

“
Well, then...” Jemima held her hands behind her back and clenched her fists so tightly, her own fingernails were digging into her flesh. “Then I suppose I should congratulate you.”

James stood by Cynthia's side. “Is it true, madam, what Cynthia said? Are you really forcing her to be a servant?!”

Cynthia winced—no good could come of this!

“
WHAT?!” Skilled at theatrics, Jemima clasped a hand over her heart and threw back her head. “Is that what she said to you?! Goodness, Cynthia, why do you make up such stories?!”

“
I
know
it is true, Lady Montforth. You have no reason to deny it,” James spoke on Cynthia's behalf. “I have seen her working... at Montforth Hall... in a maid's attire. Do you care to explain why that is?”

“
Cynthia is a very fanciful girl, my lord.” As she approached the couple, Jemima laid a hand on Cynthia's back and gently led her away from the earl's side. “What she does in her free time... I have no control over that. Perhaps she wanted you to fall for her as a maid? If I was as beautiful as Cynthia, I would want to make sure someone loved me for
me
, not just for my face or my upbringing.”

“
James...” Cynthia whispered his name. As Jemima led her away from the bench, Cynthia sent a forlorn glance over her shoulder. Jemima's presence had rendered her powerless—she was as terrified of her stepmother as she had ever been. She needed her fiance to save her. “James, it isn't--”

“
This is so exciting! Really... is it!” Jemima interrupted. “You really want to marry my dear, sweet stepdaughter? This is a felicitous occasion indeed!”

As Jemima steered her stepdaughter in the direction of the house, James stayed on their heels. “With all due respect, my lady, something is amiss!” he insisted. “If Cynthia was pretending to be a maid, why was she never introduced to me?! All those times I called on you... when I spent the entire evening at Montforth Hall... why did no one bother to introduce me to the former Lord Montforth's daughter?!”

“
It is late, my lord,” Jemima said. “We should really take our leave. As soon as I find Georgiana--”

James grabbed Cynthia's hand, halting their retreat. “I don't want Cynthia leave. I want her to stay here.” His midnight blue eyes were searing, beseeching. “With me.”