The Emperor's New Clothes by Victoria Alexander Page B

already finished altering the riding habit, and had two more dresses to tackle, one for herself. She’d give her sister that much: At least Ophelia was sharing some of the countess’s clothes. And she had to admit there were probably a lot worse things one could be doing than stitching the kind of luxurious fabrics with their fine workmanship that were foundin the countess’s wardrobe. Even if she was bored to tears.
    She pulled herself to her feet, crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the innocent riding habit. There was no reason in the world why Ophelia got to be the countess and Jenny was stuck with the part of the maid. Certainly her sister was older and far more experienced with clever deceptions than she, but Jenny considered herself every bit the expert actress her sister was.
    Impulsively, she gathered up the habit and stepped to a full-length mirror on an oak stand. She held the dress up before her and stared at the image. See? She glared at the Jenny facing her. She’d be just as good a countess, maybe even better. Of course, she couldn’t ride any more than her sister could. She didn’t know the first thing about socializing. And she had absolutely no experience with men. It seemed Ophelia was determined to keep her away from those interesting creatures. Jenny heaved another sigh. She might consider herself as good an actress as Ophelia, but she wasn’t nearly as expert an out-and-out liar as her sister. She tossed the garment back on the bed. Maybe Ophelia was the best choice for this role after all.
    Still, surely even maids had a bit of freedom once in a while. She grinned at the girl in the mirror. Ophelia wouldn’t be back for hours. It would be a simple matter to slip out and explore this impressive house. Maybe even get outdoors and look around. What would be the harm in that? The reflected Jenny smiled in innocent agreement. Why, no harm at all.
    Jenny’s glance fell on a breakfast tray that had been left outside her door this morning. What a perfect excuse to go down to the kitchen. Besides, returning the breakfast dishes would be the polite thing to do, anddoing it herself would give her the opportunity to thank the cook in person. Jenny nodded, picked up the tray with one hand, pulled open the door with the other and stepped into the hall. She ignored the tiny twinge of guilt at disobeying her sister’s specific orders to stay in her room. But Ophelia had to learn she could be trusted. After all, she was nearly seventeen, practically a grown woman.
    Jenny tossed her long blond hair over her shoulder and strode down the corridor to a back stairway she had noted on their arrival. She stepped lightly down the darkened stairwell until it opened up into a sunlight-filled kitchen. Jenny blinked at the brightness and hesitated in the doorway.
    â€œCome on in, child.” A cherry, buxom, silver-haired woman bustled up and took the tray from her hands. “Sit right down over here and let me have a look at you.”
    Jenny stepped to a big wooden table and plunked down in the first available chair. The older woman placed the tray on a sideboard and cast her a welcoming grin.
    â€œWell, just look at you. You are a pretty little thing.” The woman’s gray eyes studied her with an intensity that would have made Jenny uncomfortable were it not for the warmth radiating from them. “You must be the countess’s maid.”
    â€œMy name’s Jenny.” She returned the friendly smile.
    â€œI’m Alma.” The woman’s voice was as robust as she was. “I’m the cook, housekeeper and just about everything else around here.”
    â€œReally,” Jenny said in surprise. “I would think a house this big would need a whole staff of servants.”
    â€œI am a whole staff.” Alma laughed, a big booming sound that seemed to echo in the room. “We have girls from town who come in now and then when needed,but