Chapter 5 V

"Would you object to a makeover?" he asked, fixing his gaze on her.

As the silence grew, she inexplicably noticed the navy polka dots on his pale grey tie and the small scar on the outer edge of his left eyebrow. "It's clear that you don't think I look the part," she said. "Do you think you'd feel the part?"

He entered the room and listed a number of events that made Ella blink, including cocktail parties, luncheons, golf outings, river cruises, and dinner dances.

"Look, Mr. Murphy," she interrupted, "I think we may be wasting each other's time. I simply lack the wardrobe to accommodate all of that, and I may also lack the elan to do so. This is a completely different kind of interpretation."

"I would supply the wardrobe. It could be kept," he offered.

Ella replied awkwardly, "Oh, no. I couldn't. It's kind of you, but no, thank you."

"It's not kind at all," he quickly responded. "In this case, it would be a legitimate expense that would be tax-deductible. Also, it's not like I'd be 'keeping' you in exchange for certain favors."

Ella asserted sharply, "Definitely not."

He grinned and said, as he raised his hand. "It's not that. You shouldn't feel like Cinderella, that's all. OK, yes - I also need the other side to take you seriously, so a little more sophisticated aura would be helpful."

Ella bit her lip and decided that she would like to decline in part. She was offended by many things about Henry Murphy, including his sheer arrogance. However, there was potential for great interest in presenting a challenge to him and demonstrating that she would not be an embarrassment to him, something he had barely avoided saying.

At that point, she looked down at herself with regret. She wouldn't dare now, out of pride, to explain why she looked so disheveled or dressed the way she did. However, she considered the upcoming child and John and his company.

"I appreciate the offer," she finally said, "but I need to think about it a little longer. It's not just about me, you know."

He nodded understandingly. "Of course."

"I suppose I could give it a try," she said with a shrug, "although I've only recently left my convent - just a year ago, to be exact, Mr. Murphy." His eyes filled with a sense of amazement. "Are you a nun?" he asked.

"Oh no," she replied, "I stayed on because my parents passed away when I was a boarder at the convent. My father was related to the Mother Superior, and I continued to board with them while I was a student. Unfortunately, the Mother Superior passed away last year."

"I see," he said, smiling playfully. "Well, that clarifies it, doesn't it?"

"I suppose it does," she said gravely, "although it might explain why I'm a bit of a plain Jane and used to a simple, useful life. But that doesn't mean I can be forced upon anyone."

He focused his gaze on her. "Are you concerned that I might try to abuse you, Miss Brown?"