Chapter Twenty #3
“What did I do wrong?” she asked John.
“Nothing, my lady,” the valet said. “But I would suggest you take care at the top of the stairs. It’s a long way down.”
“Did he think I was foolish enough to fall over the rail?”
John hesitated, then glanced along the gallery. Devereaux had stopped and stood in the center of the passageway, a silent shadow.
“Good night, my lady.”
Before she could reply, the valet followed his master and the two of them disappeared into a room near the end of the passage.
With a sigh, Olivia returned to her chamber. Shortly after, there was a knock, and she tempered the flare of hope. But it was the young maid with a cup of warm milk.
“Thank you, Susie,” Olivia said.
“No trouble, your ladyship.” The maid colored and stood in the doorway, shifting from one foot to the other.
“Is there something you wish to say?” Olivia asked.
“I don’t know as if I ought, but Nicola, my sister, that is, said you’d be kind enough to consider it, so there’s no harm in askin’.”
“Asking what?”
“Whether you’d consider me as your lady’s maid.”
“Oh, I’ve no need for—”
“I’m a fast learner, honest I am, your ladyship.
And I’ll work ever so hard. Nicola says you’re going to be wanting a friend here, seein’ as you know no one, beggin’ your pardon.
I know all about how to look after gowns.
Ma Lucy said I was as good as any seamstress you might find in London…
” Her smile slipped. “God rest her soul. Passed last year, so she did.”
“Your mother died? I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Oh, Ma Lucy wasn’t my mother. My real ma died when I was a baby. I never knew her, though Nicola remembers her. Da married Ma Lucy two years ago. But I have Nicola. She looks after me right and proper and keeps house for Da, though not for long if Jake offers for her. I think…”
She rattled on, and Olivia sipped her milk, smiling at the easy chatter—so unlike any conversation she’d endured at Society parties.
“So would you consider it, your ladyship?”
Olivia set her cup aside, and her heart softened at the eager expression in the girl’s eyes. “How old are you, Susie?”
“I’ll be fourteen come Michaelmas.”
“You’re only thirteen?”
Susie colored. “I’ve been in service since I was eleven, and I’m as good as any other.
I know how to plait and curl hair too—did you see Nicola’s hair tonight?
Did that all myself—and she’s promised to let me do her hair for the wedding.
Jake’s sure to offer for Nicola now Lord Devereaux’s back.
Nicola says he’ll be wanting Jake at his side to manage the estate, seein’ as they’re brothers.
And I do love weddings. I love seein’ people so happy.
Da was happy when he married Ma Lucy, though Nicola disliked her at first.”
Susie paused and her eyes grew bright with moisture.
“You’re goin’ to ask that Ethel, aren’t you?” she said, her voice wavering. “She’s head housemaid, so I reckon Mrs. Brougham means for her to be your maid.”
Olivia took another sip of her milk. Doubtless propriety demanded that she take the housekeeper’s advice.
But it was her, not Mrs. Brougham, that the maid would serve.
And a lady’s maid was not merely a servant who dressed her hair and tended to her clothes.
Eleanor treated her maid like a trusted friend, and in return, Harriet was a great comfort, providing her mistress with company when Montague was in Town, tending to her when she was sick.
Harriet had even helped deliver little Horatio when Eleanor was brought to bed four weeks before her time.
What might Olivia give for such a companion! And her heart had already warmed toward the eager girl standing before her.
She set her cup aside. “Very well, Susie, what do you say to tending to me for the next week or so, to see if we get along? Then, if we’re both happy with the arrangement, you can have the position.”
“Can I really?” The girl’s eyes widened with eagerness. “Thank you, your ladyship!”
She rushed toward Olivia and wrapped her arms around her. Then she stiffened and withdrew.
“Oh, beg pardon!” she said. “I oughtn’t have done that. But you seemed so kind, and…”
Olivia placed a hand on Susie’s arm. “No harm done,” she said, smiling at the girl’s enthusiasm. “I prefer natural joy to cold propriety. Though I suppose if we’re to convince Mrs. Brougham that you’re suitable for the role, we must observe a little propriety.”
“Will you teach me how to behave properly?”
“As much as I can,” Olivia said, glancing about the chamber, “though I fear I’m also in need of instruction.” She reached behind her neck to remove her necklace, fumbling at the clasp. “Susie, would you help?”
“Of course.” The young girl removed the necklace and held it up to the light. “How pretty!”
“It’s a gift from my sister,” Olivia said. “Eleanor’s my sister by marriage, but I love her as if she were of my own blood. I’d do anything for her.”
“And I for Nicola,” Susie said, placing the necklace on the dressing table. “Shall I brush your hair? I can plait it.”
Olivia smiled and turned to face the dressing table mirror. Susie picked up a hairbrush and ran it through her hair in soft, gentle strokes.
“I hope Mrs. Brougham won’t be too angry with me,” Olivia said, almost to herself.
“Oh no!” Susie said, smiling, as she separated Olivia’s hair and began plaiting it. “She’s that delighted there’s a mistress at Penham after so many years, especially since the previous mistress came to such a tragic end.”
Olivia’s stomach gave a flutter.
“What tragic end?”
“It was before my time here, but…” Susie shook her head. “Forgive me—Mrs. Brougham said I wasn’t to gossip.”
“I’ll not tell anyone,” Olivia said. “My sister-in-law says that what happens between a lady and her maid is sacred, and each must keep the confidence of the other.”
“Very well.” Susie paused plaiting and leaned closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. “The late mistress, Lord Devereaux’s mother, that was, fell to her death on the stairs.”
Sweet heaven! Charles’s mother?
“Wh-when…?”
“Ten or twenty years ago, so Albert says. But he heard it from old Mr. Prosser, him who was gardener before he passed last winter and his brother took over. But he said that Mr. Prosser said that there was foul play.”
“Foul play?”
“Lord Devereaux was with her at the time.”
“My husband?”
“So Albert says.”
“Albert should know better,” a sharp voice said.
Olivia turned to see the housekeeper in the doorway. Susie let out a cry, her cheeks turning scarlet.
“I’ve told you before about gossiping, girl!” Mrs. Brougham said. “And what do I catch you doing? Telling tales you’ve no business telling.”
“I didn’t say anythin’ that wasn’t true.”
“That’s enough! Back to the kitchen with you. I’ll see to her ladyship now and will deal with you later.”
Susie burst into tears, bobbed a curtsey, and fled. The housekeeper closed the chamber door, then let out a sigh.
“I take it you didn’t know about his lordship’s mother?”
Olivia shook her head. “Please don’t blame Susie—I asked her to tell me. Did the previous Lady Devereaux really fall to her death?”
Mrs. Brougham sighed and nodded. “Poor lady—aye, she did. A miserable life she had, if truth be told.”
“A-and was my husband there?”
The housekeeper tilted her head to one side, and shame pricked at Olivia’s heart as she caught the understanding in the older woman’s eyes.
“Surely you don’t suspect the master of…”
Her cheeks flaming, Olivia shook her head.
“It was twenty years ago, Lady Devereaux,” Mrs. Brougham said. “Master Charles was a boy at the time.”
“Forgive me, I—”
“And if there’s a boy in the world who loved his mother more, I’ve yet to witness it. He loved his mother very much, and her death…” Mrs. Brougham paused, her voice cracking. “It’s not for me to tell. Doubtless the master will tell you in his own time, when he’s ready, and when you’re…”
Olivia swallowed her shame.
When you’re deserving.
That was what Mrs. Brougham was going to say. When Olivia had shown herself worthy in her husband’s eyes, and perhaps in the housekeeper’s eyes also.
The older women placed a light hand on Olivia’s shoulder.
“Forgive me, dear, I see I’ve been too harsh,” she said.
“It’s just…I’ve known Master Charles since he was in leading strings, and he wouldn’t hurt a flea.
He adored his mother, and she him. She died saving his life and he hasn’t spoken a word since. ”
Olivia let out a low cry. “Oh, poor man! How he must have suffered.”
“It pains me to think you’d listen to tales about him. Even more so if you give such tales any credence.”
“I don’t take any notice of gossip, Mrs. Brougham,” Olivia said. “I’ve been the subject of it enough to know that it serves only one purpose, which has nothing to do with the truth, and everything to do with furthering the entertainment of the spiteful.”
The housekeeper smiled. “The master was always a good-natured boy,” she said, “and a good-natured boy will turn into a good-natured man. He must think a lot of you to marry you and bring you home to us. I despaired of his ever taking a wife, but I’m that glad he has.
He doesn’t make friends easily, but there’s none more loyal to those that deserve it. You’ll see.”
Her smile resumed and she patted Olivia’s arm.
“Well!” she said brightly. “We’d best get you ready.
I’m sure he’ll be visiting you later, and you want to look your best for him.
Not that you don’t already. You’re a pretty thing—I can see why he’s so taken with you.
” She clasped her hands together. “Oh, I can’t wait to hear the sound of laughter and children once more!
This old house has been silent and empty for too long. ”
Shaking with embarrassment, Olivia rose, and Mrs. Brougham’s hand flew to her mouth.
“Bless me, I admonish young Susie enough for rattling on, and here’s me doing the same! What must you think of us?”
“I think you’re all very kind,” Olivia said. “And, if you have no objection, might I ask a favor?”
The housekeeper raised her eyebrows. “A favor? From me?”
“I-I could ask my husband’s valet, but it might not be appropriate, and I don’t want to disappoint anyone by acting improperly.”
Mrs. Brougham frowned. “My dear child, what are you asking?”
“I-I couldn’t help noticing that you understood what my husband was saying with his hands,” Olivia said.
“He’s shown me some gestures”—she moved her hands—“this is ‘no,’ for example, but I have so much more to learn. I-I know so little of being the mistress of a house, but I do want to be a good mistress, and more than that”—she hesitated, aware of the heat in her cheeks—“a good wife.”
Mrs. Brougham’s expression softened and she took Olivia’s hand.
“My dear child, of course I’ll teach you.
” She lifted her hand to Olivia’s cheek and brushed away a tear.
“Hush now—there’s no need to distress yourself.
Marriage can be an ordeal for any young woman—a new home away from her loved ones, new responsibilities, not to mention a husband to please.
It’ll take time, but I’m sure you’ll settle here and be happy. ”
She patted Olivia’s cheek in a motherly gesture. “I’ll leave you to your rest, your ladyship. Shall I send someone to tend to you in the morning? Breakfast is at eight.”
“Yes, please, send Susie at seven thirty if you would.”
“Susie?”
“I-I’d like to try her out as my maid, if you’ve no objection.”
The housekeeper smiled. “None at all, dear. You’re the mistress and have no need of approval from me.”
“Do I not?”
“No, dear. If you’re good enough for Master Charles, then you’re good enough for me. I suspect you’re more than good enough for him.”
She dipped into a curtsey, plucked the cup from the dressing table, then exited the chamber.
Olivia climbed into the bed and rolled onto her side, facing the doorway.
Voices and footsteps echoed in the distance as the servants tended to their duties.
At length, a heavier set of footsteps approached, and her skin tightened in recognition.
They drew near, seeming to slow as they approached her chamber, and she caught sight of a shadow beneath the doorframe.
Her body warmed with anticipation and shame as she recalled the events of the night before.
But this time, she was prepared for him—for whatever he meant to do to consummate their union.
She curled her fingers around the bedsheet and held her breath. But, after a pause, the shadow moved and the footsteps resumed their path, diminishing until they faded into the distance.
She ought to have been relieved, but for the second night in a row, she lay back while the tears spilled onto her cheeks.