So, my name is to be Emily, is it? I must find out more about the real Emily or I will be found out very quickly. Still, if it buys me a night of respite, I must take that chance.
CHAPTERTHREE
“Would you like me to show you to your room, Miss Emily?” Charlotte said.
“I have rooms prepared?” Gemma asked.
“Yes. I believe you were not expected until tomorrow but the rooms are ready. Mr. Marshall, he’s the butler, is very efficient.”
Charlotte’s eyes strayed to the bottom of Gemma’s dress and, looking down, Gemma saw that her skirt was marred by dirt around the hem. A leaf clung to one fold.
“I decided to leave early but my carriage suffered an…accident on the road. The driver sent for the nearest village for help but I thought the castle was close enough to walk to. As it was a nice night, I decided to do just that. It proved further than I thought.”
“My, but I would not have described tonight as clement weather for walking,” Charlotte said. “But then, perhaps you Yorkshire folk don’t feel the cold this far north.”
“You are not from Yorkshire yourself?” Gemma asked.
“London, Miss,” Charlotte replied.
“As am I,” Gemma replied before she could stop herself.
Foolish! Foolish! Foolish! If Charlotte knows anything about Emily, she may know that she is not from London. Assuming that is the case. I must be careful with my tongue.
“Oh, well you are a hardier soul than I, Miss,” Charlotte laughed. “I have been in Yorkshire for three months, and have never felt wind like it.”
Gemma made a mental note of everything she was hearing, smiling along with Charlotte.
“I tell you what, Charlotte. Before going to my room, I would love something to eat. Perhaps we could share some of that bread, meat, and cheese, first. I am famished!”
Charlotte reddened. “Of course. Forgive me, Miss. I quite forgot. Please, sit down and I will prepare something for you. Would you like something to drink? There is fresh milk in the larder.”
“That would be most adequate, Charlotte,” Gemma said, taking a seat at the table.
“It was very brave of you to strike out for the castle alone. The countryside roundabouts are very wild and lonely,” Charlotte said as she busied herself.
“Not so much brave as headstrong, I fear,” Gemma said, honestly. “I sometimes act without thinking and usually regret it.”
“I am the very opposite Miss. My old mother used to chide me for the amount of time it would take me to make a decision. I just can’t help but try and think from all angles. Charlotte Sharpe, she would say, the grass is growing under your feet while you dither.”
Gemma laughed, enjoying the pleasant small talk and Charlotte’s easy honesty. A part of her regretted that she was lying to the young woman. It didn’t seem fair to her. Charlotte put a plate before her, holding thick slices of bread, cheese, and ham with a pat of butter and a small bowl of pickles. A glass was filled with milk, poured from a wooden jug. Gemma set to eating with gusto, then looked up when she realized Charlotte was standing there.
“Please. Make up a plate for yourself,” Gemma said.
Charlotte hesitated for a moment, then dropped a quick curtsy and brought a plate for herself, taking a seat a couple of chairs down from Gemma. They both ate in silence for a moment. Gemma’s mind was racing, considering what to do next.
I was lucky that the first person I met turned out to be a new member of the household staff and it is late enough that the rest are in their beds. I will not be able to sustain this lie around many others. There are bound to be those who know who Emily is. And the real Emily is due to arrive tomorrow besides.
She forced a yawn, pushing her plate away. Charlotte immediately pushed her own away and stood.
“Will I show you to your rooms now, Miss Emily?” she asked.
“Yes, I believe I would like to retire for the evening and meet everyone in the morning,” Gemma said with a smile. “Could you be a dear and wrap up this food for me? I should like to finish it later, I think.”
Charlotte curtsied again, taking the two plates, and putting them aside on the chopping board. Then she walked to a door at the far end of the kitchen and opened it.
“If you would care to follow me?” she said.
Gemma began to follow but stopped as a man stepped into the kitchen through the open door. He was tall with sloping shoulders and a large-featured face that was heavy with dark brows and a drooping mustache. He glared at Charlotte and spared some of the glare for Gemma.
