Read In Good Company for Free Online Page B

stayed there long enough, Abigail just might forget the direction the conversation seemed to be heading. When she started getting a little dizzy from lack of air, she resurfaced and discovered that while she’d been depriving herself of oxygen, another person had entered the room—that person being none other than her very good friend Miss Lucetta Plum.
    “Lucetta, what a wonderful surprise.”
    Miss Lucetta Plum, acclaimed actress and beauty of the New York theater scene, grinned. “I don’t know why you’d be surprised to see me since I do live here. However, seeing you is certainly a surprise. What happened?”
    “Do you really need to ask?”
    “Oh . . . dear, you were let go again, weren’t you. But . . . honestly, Millie, being employed for only a week has to be a new record for you.”
    “It’s not,” Millie admitted. “If you’ll recall, due to that unpleasant situation with the goats, I only lasted a day when I went to work for Mrs. Wilson a few years back.” She shuddered, stirring the bubbles. “How could I have possibly known those particular goats had a fondness for violets? I certainly wouldn’t have dabbed violet water on my wrists that morning if I’d known it was going to send the goats into a frenzy. But, goat incidents aside, yes, I did get dismissed once again today, and no, I don’t feel like talking about it. Let’s talk about you and how rehearsals are going for your latest play.”
    Turning on a lovely high-heeled shoe, Lucetta moved to sit in a chair right beside Abigail, gesturing around the room with a wave of a gloved hand. “This is nice and cozy, Abigail. What an interesting idea to add furniture in the bathing chamber.”
    “She’s only done so because she wants to be able to hold us captive as we bathe,” Millie pointed out.
    Lucetta stopped gesturing. “I should tell you that I prefer to bathe with no one in the room, Abigail—not even a maid. That means I certainly won’t need furniture in the bathing room you’re redecorating for me.”
    “That’s too bad, since I’ve already ordered some.” Abigail folded her hands in her lap. “But new furniture aside, why are you home early tonight?”
    Lucetta pushed a strand of golden hair out of her face. “The new electric lights the owner of the theater had installed began to smoke. I decided it wouldn’t be in my best interest to linger, so . . . I returned here to enjoy the rest of my evening with you.”
    Abigail gave a sad shake of her head. “Life in the theater does seem to be filled with unexpected hazards, dear. Which is why you really should, as I’ve suggested a time or two, reconsider your chosen profession.”
    “I adore being an actress.”
    “Hmm . . . I’m not certain I completely believe that, dear, but . . . you do have a steady income at the moment, whereas Millie does not . . .”
    Abigail settled her attention squarely on Millie again. “Because you’ve been very vocal regarding your desire to work, and I don’t know of any families who need a nanny at this particular time, I think the only option available to us is to introduce you to my grandson. He’s a bit of a recluse, but I’m sure he can be convinced to take you on.”
    “Take me on?” Millie repeated slowly.
    “Indeed, but I’m not certain in what capacity we should ask him to do that taking on just yet.”
    “He doesn’t have children?” Millie pressed.
    “Not a one, but I have to imagine, with a little persuasion on my part, he’d be downright delighted to offer you some type of position. . . . Perhaps as a social secretary or keeper of his extensive library.”
    “Don’t you think his wife might have a slight problem with her husband hiring on a young lady with no social secretary skills or any ability to keep a library?”
    “He’s not married, dear.”
    Millie’s mouth dropped open. “Really, Abigail, one would think you’d be a little more subtle, but if I must remind you, I’m not in