Chapter 28
For the first time, Laura was not clad in her usual maid uniform. Instead, she stood before me in a beautiful dress.
"Laura," I greeted with a faint smile.
Her lips trembled slightly. "Are you truly My Lady?"
"No."
Her mouth snapped shut, lips pressed tightly together. I was not lying. I was no longer a lady. "Ann Woodstone. Just that."
"You cannot deceive me so," she declared with a voice steady now. "I know My Lady. I am not mistaken."
Before I could reply, the door creaked open and in stepped Isaac, looking as composed and impeccable as ever. His sharp gaze flickered to Laura before settling on me. He bowed. "A pleasure to meet you here, Mrs. Woodstone."
"Lady! You address her as Lady Florence!" Laura glared at Issac.
I blinked. Then, with a soft chuckle, I mused, "Oh, my. The ever-serious Laura Cooper, glaring? That expression, perhaps you have inherited my wretched temper after enduring me for so long."
"You are most certainly My Lady. Saying the most ridiculous things in the gravest of moments."
Her words brought an involuntary grin to my lips. "I may no longer be your lady, nor a lady at all, but I assure you, I remain unchanged. At least, I believe so."
Isaac hesitated, then lowered himself into another bow. "Lady Florence."
My smile vanished instantly.
"It is Mrs. Woodstone," I corrected coolly, leveling him with a sharp glare. How dare he call me that? Who did he think he was? Millicent's ever-loyal hound, that was who.
Isaac glanced nervously between Laura and me.
Was he…
Afraid of Laura?
Fascinating.
I narrowed my gaze, suspicion brewing.
He cleared his throat, visibly struggling. "Uh… my love, I am unsure how to address-"
My love?
I snapped my head toward Laura. Oh, my heavens. These two? Together? I had anticipated many things in my lifetime, but never this!
"Three years," Laura confessed. "Isaac and I have been married for three years."
"Miss," a voice called beside me. I turned my head. Oh, it was the attendant.
"Your father picked out a pair of boots," he informed me.
"My what?!" My voice rose in immediate outrage.
Kyle appeared before me, looking entirely too pleased with himself, his earlier hesitation gone. He lifted his foot to show off his new boots. "Love, Ann, look! These are real comfortable!"
I grabbed Kyle and pulled him toward me, locking my arm firmly around his. My eyes snapped to the attendant with a glare that could send a lesser man into an early grave. "My husband," I corrected in a slow, menacing tone.
The poor attendant visibly flinched.
Meanwhile Laura had gone pale as a ghost. I sighed. "Laura, please, do not look at me in that manner."
Kyle glanced between us. " Uh… somethin' wrong?"
"Does Her Grace know?" Laura asked in a low voice.
"My marriage has nothing to do with Her Grace," I replied smoothly, then, after a pause, added, "but if you must know, she is aware of it."
Turning my attention back to the attendant, I stated, " We shall proceed with the purchase of the boots."
"Ah, yes, yes. That will be one gold and twenty silvers, please."
Yes. I have ascended beyond mere silver coins. I now possess three whole gold coins. Truly, I was becoming a woman of wealth and power.
The price was fair. That was why I had chosen this shop. The goods were well-made but still within my means. I reached into my pouch at my waist prepared to pay, but before my fingers could so much as touch a single coin, a hand moved faster.
Laura handed the attendant two gold coins then seized my left arm. "I wish to speak with you alone, My Lady. No, we must speak."
I smiled, exhaling a slow sigh. "Laura, we have nothing to discuss," I said gently, withdrawing my arm from her hold and slipping my hand into Kyle's instead. "We are leaving. It was a pleasure seeing you again. Please take care of yourself."
I stepped forward, but Laura swiftly blocked my path. "Please, My Lady. There is much to be said. I would not have married that man if he were unworthy." She gestured toward Isaac.
Poor Isaac looked as though he had been struck by lightning. His wife had just referred to him as that man.
"Laura, your life is yours alone to govern. You are free to choose your own path as you deem fit, for I hold no dominion over your decisions." I attempted to step aside once more, only for Laura to shift with me.
"Please, My Lady!" she pressed again.
"Laura, dearest, I would very much like to leave. Kindly grant me this favor and step aside."
She held my gaze for what felt like an eternity, then finally cast her eyes downward. "If that is your wish, My Lady."
"Thank you, Laura."
As we moved past Laura and Issac, my gaze lingered briefly on Laura's downcast face before I stepped out of the shop.