Chapter Two: A True Lady
Waking up safe in a warm bed with sunlight pouring through the window, Catherine Howard sighed and snuggled deeper into her pillows. She just knew today was going to be a fabulous day!
Last night she'd been so tired and hungry, shivering in her too tight jeans, another face in the London crowd. Not one agency would give her a chance after being dumped by Henry Tudor!
It was funny, but when she thought back now Catherine couldn't quite remember where she was. Over dinner she'd jumped at an offer to do some modeling work for Anne of Cleves Cosmetics. But the job wasn't supposed to start for several days. "No need to rush things," Anne assured her, filling up her wine glass after she devoured a huge meal. "We'll talk more after you've had a few days to rest and get yourself together at my country place."
Right, the country place! They'd left London in a limousine right after dinner, and pulled up at Anne's place in the dead of night. Rubbing her eyes and gawking, Catherine had got the feeling that the sprawling vine-covered country house was more a palace than a simple cottage. But Anne's brisk, no-nonsense housekeeper told her she would have time to see everything later, after a nice hot bath and a good night's sleep. Catherine fell into bed and was asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.
Now that she was awake, the curious young model got to wondering just what her new assignment would be. Anne had said something about Thomas Culpepper, a rich man with an eye to expanding his business and swallowing up Cleves Cosmetics. There was a brand new tablet on the bedside table, and before she knew it Catherine was sitting up in bed and tapping away.
Getting pictures of Anne's rival should have been easy, but at first all Catherine could turn up were articles about how ruthless he was. Money and power were all the young man seemed to want. When she did find pictures, Catherine noticed with a frown that the tall, gray-eyed young man seemed to have a disdainful look on his face, even when he was surrounded by a sea of eager and beautiful women. Clearly he'd gotten used to having any girl he wanted, then coldly banishing her from his bed the next day. He was just like Henry Tudor, Catherine decided, only young and very good-looking. Really quite incredible looking, actually . . .
"Good morning, Miss Catherine!" The housekeeper was beaming as she brought in breakfast on a tray. "My, don't you look fresh and rested this morning! Its quarter past eleven, but we wouldn't think of waking you earlier. My lady Anne said that you were tired, quite worn out after the hectic life in London. Modeling, was it?"
"Well, I haven't worked in a while," Catherine answered, blushing as she put away the tablet. She'd been lost in thought, simply gazing at pictures of Thomas Culpepper. Her worries about the new job came back again as she reached for a roll and gulped down her morning tea. "Did Anne say when I could start work?"
"My lady didn't say anything about work," the older woman said with a shrug, patting Catherine's knee as she sat down on the side of the bed. "She only said that you were exhausted, poor dear, from all that modeling work in London. She said you needed rest, fresh air, and plenty of exercise. And that she'd speak to you again after she gets back from London."
"She's already gone back to London?" Catherine couldn't help choking a bit on the warm, fresh buttered roll she'd been eating.
"Take it slowly, my dear." The brisk, energetic housekeeper was already pouring her a second cup of tea. "My lady Anne put me in charge while she's away, and she gave strict instructions that you were not to worry yourself about magazine shoots or modeling or anything like that. Mrs. Holliday, she said, make sure that Miss Catherine gets plenty of fresh air and isn't worrying herself sick about getting her pretty face on a magazine cover! She's about to be the next big thing, but we'll look into that when I get back."
"When did she say all that?" Catherine was excited about becoming the next big thing, but she wondered how that fit in with saving Cleves Cosmetics from greedy Mr. Culpepper.
"Why, just this morning," Mrs. Holliday replied. "We had tea together at seven o'clock, just as we always do. My lady Anne treats all her people exactly like family. She's a lady, that one!"
"Oh yes, she's a true lady!" Catherine smiled, putting down her empty teacup. She'd devoured her breakfast in about three bites. "Mrs. Holliday, since I'm here to rest and get lots of fresh air, do you think I could take a walk and explore the countryside?"