Matthew's Mask [Lords of Hawksfell Manor 3] (Siren Publishing Menage Amour) by Josie Dennis

sunset.”
    “What? Why?”
    Posy managed a smile. “You know what the countess thinks. What everyone believes.”
    “You mean because you were with the earl?”
    She threw up her hands. “I’m not going to talk about this. You believe what you want to. I have to go get ready for her ladyship.”
    She pushed past him and hurried up the stairs. Tears clouded her vision as she stumbled up toward her room. It was her solace, for what little time she’d remain here at the manor.
    After changing into her black afternoon uniform, she checked her appearance. The countess wouldn’t find anything wrong with her, on the surface anyway. Her blonde hair was scraped back into a simple bun, and her cap sat perfectly on top of her head. Her blouse was tucked neatly into her skirt, and her white apron was crisp. Her face wore an expression of deference, as she’d perfected over the past few months. She knew it didn’t matter a bit what she looked like or how she behaved now. The countess despised her and wanted her gone.
    She rapped on the door to her ladyship’s room and took a deep breath. “Easy, Posy,” she said to herself as she wiped her palms over her apron. “Be calm and quiet. Be polite and efficient.”
    “Come,” the countess said.
    Posy pushed open the door and found Lady Hawksfell seated at her vanity. She looked beautiful without any help from her substitute lady’s maid. That was certain. Her shapely figure was clad in a slip just waiting for a corset and gown for dinner, and her golden hair needed to be dressed.
    “I’m here to assist you, my lady,” Posy said.
    The countess turned with a jerk. Her mouth dropped open. “Posy?”
    “Yes, my lady.” Posy stepped into the room with her hands clasped in front of her. “Lily isn’t feeling well.”
    Her ladyship’s mouth pursed, and she flicked her hair over her shoulder. “There’s nothing else for it then, is there?”
    Posy kept her expression even. “No, my lady.”
    The countess stood. “Then get me dressed. And use haste, please.”
    Posy swallowed and hurried into the dressing room. A pretty gown of blue hung at the ready. She went through the underthings and retrieved a corset. Keeping her mouth shut, she helped dressed the countess. When her gown was fastened and smoothed, she stepped back.
    “My hair,” Lady Hawksfell said. She sat at the vanity again.
    Posy nodded and carefully styled her hair. She had smooth, shiny hair, and it wasn’t difficult to coax it into a stylish sweep and fasten it on top of her head. That was a very good thing, for Posy was having trouble keeping her hands steady. A string of beads finished the coif, and she stepped back.
    The countess turned her head about as she looked in the mirror. “Very good.” The praise seemed to stick in the lady’s throat, but Posy accepted it with a nod nevertheless.
    “Love, Michael and I are heading downstairs.” The earl stood in the doorway. “Hello, Posy.”
    Posy bobbed a curtsey. “My lord.”
    “That will be all, Posy,” the countess said. There was no mistaking the ice in her voice now.
    “Yes, my lady.” She hurried past the earl and out into the relative safety of the hallway.
    “Millicent, what’s wrong?” the earl asked.
    Posy paused just outside the doorway, her heart pounding as she waited for Lady Hawksfell’s answer.
    “You know full well, Gabriel.” She made a sound of exasperation. “I know what you did before Michael and me. But seeing that girl…How many times did you take her?”
    Posy didn’t wait to hear what the earl said. Her cheeks flaming, she ran down the hall. She didn’t dare go downstairs and ready for dinner service. She didn’t dare go up to the attics and risk running into Lily or any other maid. So she just ran toward the rooms set at far side of the building.
    And right smack into Matthew.

Chapter 7
     
    “Posy!” Matthew held her arms, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze. “Posy, what is it?”
    She trembled in his hold as