Chapter Four #2
Before she could come to the point, a small but sturdy woman in a neat cotton day dress and pristine white apron came out of the far door.
Her hair was pulled back severely into a low chignon, and she was clearly surprised to find Bella there.
The older woman covered her shock quickly and smiled warmly at her.
"Now then, miss, have you lost your party?
Breakfast is served in the back parlour if you will follow me. "
"No, I have no party," said Bella too quickly.
The woman looked at her strangely, worry creasing her forehead. "No party indeed, miss. Is all well?" She attempted to guide her to a chair.
"I am perfectly well," said Bella, taking a step away and slipping back into the Darcy hauteur.
"I was a... erm, guest at Pemberley and am travelling to the south coast to see a relative who is most in need of me.
My maid became gravely unwell just as we reached the outskirts of Ashbourne, and as I was riding, I sent her back to Pemberley with my driver.
I need to arrange a post-chaise and team urgently, and I wonder if there is a girl here whom I might press into service as my maid. "
"Well, this is most unusual, Miss..." She left a small pause for Bella to fill.
"Bennet," she said firmly. To travel under Darcy would be far too dangerous, and she thought it unlikely anyone in Ashbourne would know her mother's maiden name.
"Miss Bennet," the woman repeated, still looking doubtful.
"I am Mrs Saxon. I run this establishment alongside my husband.
I do not doubt your circumstances are pressing, but a young lady travelling alone is not something we often see.
Still, if you are determined to continue, I can have a chaise made ready.
As for a maid..." She pursed her lips. "I may have one girl who would be willing, though I must warn you, she is a little... spirited."
Bella was far too relieved to worry about the hesitation on Mrs Saxon's part. "I appreciate your help, Mrs Saxon, and I am willing to compensate the girl and yourself generously for her assistance."
"Very well. Please take a seat while I make the arrangements and fetch Clara. Can I offer you some tea?"
Bella perched on the edge of a chair and shook her head.
"No, thank you, Mrs Saxon. I must be on my way as soon as possible.
Can you also ensure the horse I arrived on is returned to the Pemberley stables?
The Darcys were kind enough to provide me with a mount for the journey.
I prefer not to be cooped up in a carriage when I can ride.
Unfortunately, I have a long journey ahead of me and must be on the road as soon as possible.
My own carriage will meet me at the next inn, once my maid has recovered or been left in suitable care. "
Mrs Saxon gave her another long look, and Bella met her gaze firmly. It was essential she did not waver now. The lady must think her rich and eccentric, but not entirely improper or engaged in some sort of mischief.
"Perhaps I should send a note to Pemberley, and they can send someone to accompany you," the older lady said thoughtfully.
"Not at all. I must be on my way, and they will hear the tale from my driver soon enough," Bella said sternly, her heart racing.
"Very well. I shall send Clara in and see about the post-chaise and a driver."
Mrs Saxon left the room, and Bella felt herself crumple into the seat.
She was but twenty miles from home and had hundreds of miles ahead of her.
If she could not handle a straightforward interaction with a sensible and pleasant woman, how would she make it any further?
Her knees still trembled beneath her dress, and she concentrated on taking long, even breaths as the minutes ticked by.
She had almost recovered herself when a girl of about her own age burst into the room.
"Miss," she said, giving a very lopsided curtsey and grinning at Bella in a manner that would have sent their housekeeper at Pemberley, Mrs Reynolds, into an apoplexy.
Servants should rarely look an employer directly in the eye, never mind grin at them as if they were old friends.
She had red hair so bright that Bella felt it must have been visible in the dark, round green eyes and a heart-shaped face that was more freckle than not.
"How do you do, miss?" she said. "I be hearin' that you are looking for someone to accompany you on your travels.
And I am just the girl for you. I be grand at all the hair dressin' and the regular dressin'.
And my ma always said I could talk for England, so you won't ever be bored.
You are a pretty one, ain't you? I bet all the young gentlemen be looking your way.
And I know all about young gentlemen and not-so-gentlemen, if you get my meaning, miss. "
Bella was struck dumb by the rapidity and volume of words that came out of the girl's mouth. When she winked at Bella, she was not sure whether to laugh or chastise her for being so forward.
"And what experience do you have that prepares you for the role of travelling companion and maid?" Bella said, trying to keep her expression sombre. "Clara, is it?"
"That it be, miss. Well, I used to work in a house with lots of ladies, and I was always the best at knowing what suited folk and what did not. I was in great demand for my skill at dressin’ hair too.
Since I've been at the Green Man, I've helped a lot o' ladies understand what suits them.
Some of them may not be open to such observations, but there ain't no hiding from the truth.
Are we going anywhere interestin', miss? "
Bella ignored the question. "You are not from Derbyshire," she said thoughtfully.
"Bristol, miss, born and bred, although my mammy was Irish, God rest her, and my da, well, he could have been from the moon for all I know about him. I worked there in a large establishment before I came here. Mrs Saxon has been very nice an’ all, but she says that I am 'not backward about comin' forward' and that the snooty types she gets in here don't care for it.
" Her rosebud mouth formed into a perfect O, as if realising for the first time that Bella might indeed fall under the heading of snooty types.
"Beggin' your pardon, of course, miss. But I should like to see a bit more of the world, and my mammy always said that any travel was an adventure. "
Bella threw back her head and laughed. She laughed so hard that a tiny snort escaped, and she quickly covered her mouth with her gloved hand. "Clara, the position is yours. I believe we shall get on famously."