“Perhaps, but only yesterday I was living in a boarding house in the rookeries and eating bread and butter for my tea, so the transformation to grandness hasn’t occurred yet and you needn’t be theleast bit intimidated. Come.” Ana nodded at the chair opposite her. “Have a few sips of chocolate. No one need be the wiser.”
The maid hesitated, glancing longingly at the silver chocolate pot, and then at the door.
“What’s your name?”
“Tessie, milady.”
Ana startled. Tessie had been one of the names on the duke’s list. Was it a coincidence or could Tessie help her discern the meaning of the list? “Tessie, you look as if you could do with putting up your feet for a moment and having a nourishing cup of chocolate. You won’t come to any trouble, I’ll see to that. It will be our secret.”
“I couldn’t...” Tessie repeated, but she stayed still and watchful as Ana poured a second cup of chocolate and held it toward her.
Pulled by the scent of the chocolate, Tessie timidly advanced until she was perched on the very edge of the chair across from Ana, ready to bolt at any moment.
She took the smallest of sips from the cup of drinking chocolate Ana handed her, and then closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. “It’s even better than I imagined.”
“Have one of these currant buns. They’re delicious if you dip them into the chocolate.”
Tessie accepted a bun and couldn’t stop herself from eating it in two large bites.
“Tell me about yourself, Tessie.”
“Me? There’s not much to tell.”
“Do you have brothers or sisters?”
“I’m an orphan girl, milady.”
“Why, so am I!”
“You, miss?” said Tessie in disbelief, obviously questioning if fancy ladies in luxurious beds could possibly share such a woeful status with herself.
“Truly. Except”—Ana sipped her chocolate, noting the flavors of cinnamon and some spice she couldn’t name—“it’s only a temporary status in my case. My father, Lieutenant John Crewe, went missing in the war, and everyone presumes him dead. But I know the truth. I know that he suffered a grave injury but was nursed back to health in a small village in Belgium. He can’t remember his identity, you see. I’m going to find him.”
Tessie’s eyes widened. “Will you go to Belgium, milady?”
“If I must.”
“I’ve only seen London.”
“How long have you been employed here?”
“Only two months.”
“And how have you found your position?”
“Ever so much better than the last. My wages are paid on time and no one beats me.”
A low standard. “And the duke, have you observed him?”
“Only bits and bobs. He doesn’t spend much time here. He’s usually at Drakefell Castle in Surrey. He only comes to London for racing his horses, and the like.”
As they talked, Ana slipped more buns onto Tessie’s plate. “What do the staff think of him?”
“He does have strict rules to follow, but he’s fair, he is.”
“Now tell me what you truly think. I swear to you I’ll repeat it to no one. I want your candid opinion.”
Tessie hesitated. “I shouldn’t say, milady.”