Chapter Six #4
Minutes later, after brief goodbyes and a promise to check in with her prior to their departure, they made their way out of the solicitor’s office.
Hattie closed the front door behind them.
“Well, it all seems fairly straightforward,” she said.
“Very reassuring, don’t you think? I certainly feel less worried than I did an hour ago. ”
“Derbyshire.” Annie paused on the doorstep, squinted up at the rainy skies, and snapped her umbrella open. “I know that’s where you grew up, Hattie, but I didn’t know you had a relative there. How come you’ve never mentioned her? Or is it a him?”
“Like I said, she’s a distant cousin. Her name is Janet, and I’m sure I must have mentioned her at some point.
We’ve kept in contact over the years. You know, an occasional letter here and there.
” Hattie moved to Annie’s side and also regarded the sky.
“Oops, I left my umbrella behind. I swear I’d forget my head if it were loose.
Wait here, pet. I’ll be back in a minute. ”
Annie threw her a sideways glance. “You’re actually going to leave me out here all alone? Aren’t you afraid I’ll be snatched away by the wicked Leopold and held to ransom?”
“It’s nothing to joke about, Annie.” Frowning, Hattie glanced up and down the street as if to reassure herself no such danger existed. “Just wait here, please. I’ll only be a minute.”
As soon as Hattie went back into Archibald Mason’s office, Annie lost the sardonic smile she’d been wearing.
No, none of this ugly business was anything to joke about.
Since her father’s death, her days had been cloaked in shadow, her spirit burdened with grief and uncertainty.
Of the two, uncertainty was the most difficult to manage.
Grief was a vicious entity, one that would accompany her for a long time to come.
She knew to expect it, knew she had no choice but to live with it.
Uncertainty, meanwhile, was devious and erratic, akin to a persistent fog that obscured her way ahead, leaving her feeling lost and afraid.
Today, however, the fog seemed to have lifted somewhat. Janet. Derbyshire. Annie pondered, shaking her head. She couldn’t recall Hattie ever mentioning either one. Then again, maybe she had, the words falling on the deaf ears of a girl whose mind was frequently occupied with daydreams.
Even now, the world around her faded away as thoughts danced in her head.
Derbyshire. What did she know of it? The home of Chatsworth House, seat of the Duke of Devonshire.
And… pottery? She frowned. Nothing else came to mind, though she envisaged a rural landscape.
Does Janet live in a town or in the country?
In a house? A country cottage, perhaps? Annie supposed it didn’t really matter as long as the place was clean, though she doubted Hattie would have suggested it otherwise.
She resolved to open her father’s atlas that evening and study the county’s location.
Deep inside, a little spark of excitement flared anew, followed by the familiar twinge of guilt.
The whinny of a horse roused Annie from her musing, and she turned to look at the door, wondering what was taking Hattie so long. Even as the thought crossed her mind, the door opened and the woman exited, umbrella in hand.
“I was about to come looking for you,” Annie said, eyeing her red-faced maid with a frown. “Goodness. Is everything all right? You look a little flustered.”
Hattie appeared to assert herself and conjured up a smile. “Everything is fine,” she replied. “I suppose I’ll not be settled till we’re on our way out of the city, and we have much to do before then.”
“I think we’ll manage,” Annie said, stepping onto the pavement. “I must say, I feel better after speaking with Mr. Mason. He’ll steer us through it all.”
“Yes, I’m sure he will.” Hattie opened her umbrella. “Looks like this weather has set in for the day.”
“What is her last name?” Annie asked.
“Who?”
“Your distant cousin.”
There followed a moment of hesitation, then, “Caldridge.”
“Is she married?”
Hattie shook her head. “A spinster.”
“How old?”
“Does it matter?”
“No, not really. Just curious.”
Hattie tutted. “Um, let’s see. Janet will now be, I believe, in her thirty-eighth year. Two years younger than me.”
Frowning, Annie chewed on her lip. “So, not terribly old then. How come she’s never married?”
Hattie gave her a sardonic look. “No, not terribly old. And she almost married, but the poor fellow passed away. Don’t think she’s ever got over it.”
“How sad.” Annie tutted and shook her head. “Janet Caldridge. No, I’m sure you’ve never mentioned her before. I’ve always believed you had no family.”
“Well, like I said, she’s a distant cousin,” Hattie replied. “And maybe you weren’t paying attention when I mentioned her previously. You’ve always been a bit of a woolgatherer.”
“I suppose,” Annie replied, choosing capitulation over an argument. “Where does she live? In a town, or in the country?”
“In the country.”
Annie absorbed the response. “In a house?”
“Yes. It’s a nice area. Very quiet.”
“Are you sure she has room for us?”
“Yes, don’t worry about that. Her house is not grandiose, but it’s very comfortable.”
“And you’re sure she’ll be willing to accommodate us at such short notice?”
“I’m certain of it. I’ll get a letter sent off today.”
“But how can you be certain? When did you last see her?”
Hattie heaved a sigh. “So many questions, child.”
Annie frowned. “Which are justified, are they not? It appears I know nothing of this woman, yet I’m soon to be moving into her home, apparently.”
“Yes, of course. Forgive me.” Hattie cleared her throat. “Well, let me see. The last time I met Janet was actually here in London, when she came to see a sick friend. Some time ago, now. I haven’t been to Little Langby in many years, though. Since before you were born, in fact.”
“Little Langby,” Annie repeated. “It’s a village?”
Hattie smiled. “Barely even that, though it does have a lovely old church. Janet does the flower arrangements for it. As I said, we’ve kept in touch through letters, and she’s always made it quite clear I’d be welcome to stay with her if I ever had the need.
And that need, though unfortunate, has now presented itself. ”
“Unfortunate, yes.” Annie heaved a sigh of her own and then gasped as a sudden realization entered her mind. “Oh, gracious! What about Bridget? I hadn’t thought about her till now. How shameful of me. I’m not sure she’ll want to come with us, though. Her entire family lives in London.”
“Better if she stays behind, I think.” Hattie shrugged. “You can give her a good reference. I’m sure she’ll have no trouble securing a new position. Besides, who knows? She might be kept on by the new tenant.”
“Whoever that might be.”
“Mr. Mason will ensure it’s someone suitable, I have no doubt.”
“Yes, but still, it seems so unfair. She’s been with us forever.” Fatigue, sudden and unexpected, washed over Annie like an invisible wave. “I’m so very tired, Hattie. It’s all such a mess. Overwhelming, in fact. I cannot quite grasp everything that has happened. Everything that is happening.”
Hattie slid her arm through Annie’s and drew her close. “I know, pet, I know. Hush, now. Don’t upset yourself. We’ve done enough for today. Come on, let’s get you home.”