“Yes, we know that’s all you actually are. But it has come to my attention that you have been overstepping yourself.” She picked up her cup and sipped again, just as if they were friends sitting together in a tearoom. “I heard you went to the Exposition with both my brother and Mr. Armstrong.”
Rosalind was so flustered, she spoke without thinking. “I didn’t go there with them. I only happened to see them there.”
“So you don’t deny the rumors?”
“No. But nothing happened.” Not with her, at least.
Veronica laughed softly. “Of course nothing happened. Nothing happens to housemaids—at least not anything of consequence.” Her expression became hard. “Actually, in the grand scheme of things, you are nothing.”
The words hurt. She didn’t care if they were likely true in Miss Sloane’s world. “Miss Veronica, I only saw Mr. Sloane and Mr. Armstrong by chance.”
“Were you by yourself?”
“I cannot answer that.”
Veronica sighed as if Rosalind had just disappointed her greatly. “I’m going to be perfectly frank with you, though I have no idea why. Currently, I am at a point in my life where I must obtain a proposal and be married. My parents expect it, and everyone in our circle of acquaintances does as well. If I don’t marry soon and well, I will become a laughingstock.” She fastened a hard gaze on Rosalind. “I don’t intend for that to happen.”
“I see.”
Veronica shook her head. “No, you most definitely do not. My brother has slowly been developing the most unsavory of reputations. More and more, his circle of friends has been filled with men and women with those same disreputable characters. Almost everyone, that is.”
After taking another sip of coffee, she continued. “For some reason, Douglass’s reputation has begun to slowly diminish mine. Men who once saw me as a candidate for marriage now turn away when they see me approach.” She looked directly at Rosalind. “All except for Reid Armstrong. For some reason, he feels loyal to my brother. And, consequently, loyal to me.”
Rosalind ached to agree that Reid was a man of honor. But, of course, how could she say a word? Instead, she stood there, standing almost at attention as Veronica drained her coffee cup.
“Rosalind, for some reason, Reid is not only aware of you, but he has taken the time to know your name. Now it seems he is willing to be seen publicly with you. If you want to keep your job, you will not continue this association. I will not be tied to a man who is known to have liaisons with housemaids.”
“But . . . I have done nothing untoward.”
“Even if you have not, it wouldn’t matter. You would lose your position if people thought you did.”
The threat was there, as clear and true as if Veronica had said it out loud.
And though she felt threatened, she couldn’t help but defend herself. “I have done nothing to be ashamed of.”
“It doesn’t matter. If you continue to do anything that causes Reid to speak to you or even acknowledge your existence, you will suddenly be out of a job with no recommendation.”
As Rosalind continued to gape at her, nearly paralyzed by fear, Veronica continued. “I will accuse you of stealing, I think. Maybe even something worse.”
“W–worse?” Rosalind sputtered.
“It’s simple, Rosalind. I am Veronica Sloane. You are simply one in a long line of unsuitable maids.”
Rosalind’s throat went dry as she began to have a very good idea about what happened to her sister. Miranda must have caught the eye of one of Veronica’s beaus. Veronica had noticed and gotten her fired. “You . . . you’ve done this before, haven’t you?”
Veronica’s eyes turned cold. Then, to Rosalind’s shock, she held out her cup and saucer for Rosalind to refill.
Bitterness coursed through her as she did as bid, then handed the cup and saucer back to Veronica. “Will there be anything else, miss?”
Veronica eyed her carefully, seeming to examine every hair and inch of her. As if she liked what she saw—Rosalind’s obvious fear—she smiled. “No. I think that will be all. For now.”
Seething, Rosalind turned away.
“And, Rosalind?”
She paused. “Yes?”
“Tell Cook and Abrams that I have no desire for you to bring me my morning coffee again. I definitely do not like starting my day with you at my side.”
“It will be my pleasure to pass that on, Miss Veronica,” she said before escaping. Out in the hall, she leaned against a wall and willed herself to stop shaking.
Something had just changed. Everything had just gone from bad to worse.