The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress by Victoria Alexander

and I am not a real companion—”
    Lucy winced.
    “I daresay I can do nothing else. Besides . . .” Clara smiled. “I find I have to agree with you. I too do not wish to reach the end of my life with regrets. And I quite like the idea that, should I leave a journal filled with regrets, some well-meaning young woman would want to make up for them.”
    “Wonderful.” Lucy grinned. “But I knew it the moment we started talking. Why, I already feel that we have known each other forever. Odd, isn’t it?”
    “You’re not exactly reticent to reveal information about yourself.” Clara shook her head in obvious amazement. “And I’ve never met anyone who has learned so much about me in such a short span of time.”
    Lucy laughed.
    “However.” Clara’s expression sobered. “While ours might not be the usual sort of relationship between a companion and her employer, I do feel there are some duties that are inherent in the position.”
    Lucy frowned. “And they are?”
    “I don’t intend to be your watchdog, but part of my responsibility should be to act as chaperone. Which really is as much a question of safety and appearances as anything else.”
    Lucy nodded. “Of course.”
    “I suspect things in England are done far differently than they are in America. I understand, well, the rules here—for lack of a better word—and you do not. We can be quite stodgy, especially about public behavior. As your companion, as your friend , I cannot allow you to do anything that might cause you irrevocable harm, to your reputation or your person. If I judge that to be the case, I will do all in my power to stop you, even if it results in my dismissal. I need you to trust that, in that event, I am only acting in your best interest.”
    “As any good friend would.” Lucy smiled. “Thank you, Clara.”
    “Furthermore, I need your assurance that you will heed my guidance in such situations.”
    Lucy hesitated.
    “If you cannot agree to that, then I cannot, in good conscience, remain in your employ.” Clara’s tone softened. “And I would very much regret that as I do think you are indeed embarking upon an adventure and it would be my very great honor to accompany you.”
    Clara’s condition did make sense. In her excitement Lucy might well be plunging ahead too hastily. After all, while the idea of accomplishing those things her great-aunt wanted to do had been in the back of her head for years, she’d never considered exactly how to go about it. Even now she had nothing specific in mind. Without someone to temper her enthusiasm, she could get into all kinds of difficulties. For one thing, she inevitably thought well of people until they proved her wrong. And while she did consider herself sensible and not the least bit impulsive, she had long had the tendency to reach unwarranted conclusions.
    “I can agree to that.”
    “Excellent.” Clara raised a brow. “I assume you wish to get started immediately?”
    “Absolutely, especially as I have no idea how much time I really have.” Lucy opened the journal. “Where do you think we should begin?”
    “I don’t think we should go in order of your great-aunt’s list.” Clara thought for a moment. “Rather we might start with those things most easily accomplished.”
    “I have already copied her regrets onto my own list—regrets set to rights. I intend to check them off as I accomplish them. I’m not silly enough to think I can do everything she hoped to do but I do intend to complete as many as possible.”
    “It seems to me you have already achieved one of your aunt’s desires.” Clara refilled both their cups from the teapot and handed Lucy hers. “You have already made an unexpected friend.”
    Lucy laughed and raised her cup to her new companion. “Indeed, I have. It’s a most promising beginning.”
    Poor dear Jackson. He hadn’t found her a watchdog but an independent woman, a new friend, a confidante, and what Lucy was certain he never expected,