Behind her spectacles, her round eyes blinked. She swallowed and nodded, murmuring, “Yer welcome, sir.”
Had she spent time belowstairs with servants in her youth? Where else would she have cultivated that accent?
He said, “Very good. That will be all.”
Clearly relieved, she bobbed a curtsy.
For now, he added to himself, watching her go.
The tenth Duke of Bedford was liable to dismiss any
maid who unwittingly crossed his path after midday, by which
time all housework was supposed to have been completed.
—Trevor May,The Victorian Domestic Servant
Chapter 18
After attending the funeral of an old tenant, Nathaniel walked back into Fairbourne Hall, thinking about the best way to find an industrious young farmer to take the old bachelor’s place. He needed to increase the profitability of the estate if he had any hope of repairing his ship.
Reaching the sitting room, Nathaniel paused in the threshold. Inside, Hudson and Helen stood near one another at the balcony window, heads together, bent over some papers Helen held—lists of things to be done for the servants’ ball, he imagined. His sister wore an attractive green-and-ivory striped gown he hadn’t seen before, with a sash that emphasized her narrow waist.
Helen smiled up at him as he approached. “Hello, Nate.”
“Why, Helen, do my eyes deceive me, or is that a new dress?”
She lifted her chin. “No, it isn’t new. But I own, it has been made over. Nora did it.”
“Nora?” He prayed she could not see his heart suddenly lurch in his chest.
His sister eyed him carefully. “The new housemaid. I don’t imagine you’ve met her?”
“Um... yes,” he faltered. “I believe I know who you mean.”
Noticing his discomfort, Hudson said smoothly, “Well, you look lovely, Miss Helen, if you don’t mind my saying so.”
Helen dipped her head, pleased but self-conscious. “Thank you, Mr. Hudson. Now, if the two of you would stop staring at me, we have a ball to plan....”
His sister’s face blushed becomingly. How strange to think Robert Hudson had put that blush there. If so, did he mind? It was unexpected and, he admitted to himself, mildly disconcerting to see his ladylike sister on such friendly terms with a man in his employ. He was not quite certain how he felt about it.
But perhaps he was mistaken. Perhaps his sister was merely wearing a bit of rouge. He quickly dismissed the notion. His practical sister would never bother with anything as frivolous as cosmetics.
Margaret trudged up the back stairs to the attic and down the passage to her room. She felt bone weary and hoped to rest for half an hour or so until it was time to help Fiona gather the laundry. She nudged the door closed behind her, then took off her apron and spectacles and sat on the bed, sliding off her slippers. A scratch sounded at her door, and before she could respond, the wolfhound pushed it open with his head, as he had done before. She couldn’t think what attracted the dog to her small dim room. Did she still smell of that morning’s sausages?
“I’m too exhausted to play with you, Jester.”
With a little whine, the hound walked to the small oval rug beside her bed, turned around, around again, then lay down, curling himself on the rug, tail tucked, chin resting on his forelegs.
“That’s what I have in mind to do too.”
She lay down on her made bed, pulling the little lap robe over her legs. She had a good thirty or forty minutes to rest. What luxury.
She found her mind replaying her meeting with Nathaniel Upchurch, when he’d summoned her to the library to speak with her. He’d told her to “Come closer.... Look at me.” And her heart had pounded so loudly she was sure he would hear it.
Then he stood there and stared at her. Just stared. How unsettling it had been. She’d begun to fear her masquerade was up, and was torn between wanting to bolt and wanting to confess all. But then he’d surprised her by saying he merely wanted to thank her for her help back in London. Why then, after so much time? But what a relief to know that was all he wanted. That her secret was still safe.
On the floor nearby, the dog gave a little sigh of contentment. Margaret smiled, feeling content as well, and drifted to sleep.
