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Decision made, she approached the footman
"Excuse me, sir?"
The servant turned, surprised, no doubt, to find a young lady at his elbow, holding a gentle as he’d looked Younger than she was Sophie sent a quick prayer of thanks to her e is free to leave?" she asked in a tone that she hoped was all casualness
He seerateful for a question he could answer "No more than a quarter of an hour, my lady"
She had to work quickly, then "And tell aze flickering to the boot in her hands "Today"
She shoved the boot behind her back, unable to keep the surprise fro?"
The boy shook his head "I am headed to a new position In the North Country"
A shadow crossed his face--sadness, perhaps Regret? She grasped at it, an idea forles "But you wish to stay in London?"
He see with an aristocratic lady He lowered his head "I am pleased to serve the marquess however he requires, my lady"
She nodded quickly Underservants were shuttled froularity She had no doubt that Eversley had never thought twice about the fact that his eht not wish to be moved about at his whim He did not seem the type to think of others at all
And so it was that Sophie felt no guilt whatsoever when she put her plan into serve an earl?"
His wide gaze snapped to hers "My lady?"
"My father is the Earl of Wight"
The young man blinked
"Here In London"
The boy seemed confused by the offer and, if she was honest, Sophie was not surprised It was not every day, she iarden parties
She pressed on "He began his life in the coalfields Like his father and his father’s father before hi Sophie spoke frankly "He pays servants very well He’ll pay you double what the marquess pays" She paused Increased the offer "More"
The boy tilted his head
"And you can stay in London," Sophie added
His brow knit "Why me?"
She smiled "What is your name?"
"Matthew, my lady"
"Well, Matthew, someone’s lucky star should shine today, don’t you think?"
The boy re the offer when he looked over her shoulder to the Marquess of Eversley’s carriage and said, "Double, you say?"
She nodded