Lotty nodded. “Mrs. Horlick had told me she was retiring, and I knew how much you enjoy helping others, and the skills you’ve developed assisting your father. But when you arrived and found me laid up, you assumed ... Well, I should have corrected you then. I’m sorry I was not completely forthright with you.”
Anne considered. “I understand. And you were right. I would have been reluctant to come had I known in advance. No wonder you didn’t specify a name.”
Again Lotty nodded. “But if Lady Celia bullies you, you need not stay long.”
“I shall try not to let her sharp tongue bother me.” Anne hesitated, then said, “I left a few of my things upstairs. If you prefer I take everything, should you need the room for someone else, I—”
“No, my dear. Leave whatever you like. The room shall be ready and waiting for you when you return.”
Anne pressed Lotty’s hand. “Thank you.”
“Now, will you write to your father to let him know of your change of situation, or shall I?”
A short while later, Anne returned to Painswick Court and carried her valise and case inside.
A housemaid in mobcap and apron met her. “Miss Loveday, is it?”
“That’s right.”
“I’m to show you where you’ll be sleeping, if you’ll follow me.”
“Thank you. And your name is ...?”
“Jane.”
“Thank you, Jane.”
At the top of the stairs, the girl rounded the newel post and walked to the door left of Lady Celia’s. “This was Sir Herbert’s bedchamber,” Jane explained. “You can reach his dressing room from here, or through Lady Celia’s bedchamber.”
As they passed through a dim, shuttered room, Anne made out a large bedstead with curtains drawn, massive armoire, and washstand.
Jane opened a door on the right, which led into a narrow room with built-in drawers and shelves on one side, and a berth-like bed on the other. One small window above the bed allowed in light.
“Lady Celia has a commode chair in her dressing room, but there’s not one for this room. You can use the water closet on this floor or the privy outside.”
“That’s fine.”
“I’ve put fresh linens on the bed and brought up water and towels.” She pointed to a basin and pitcher on the top shelf. “Anything else you need, just let me know.”
“Thank you, I shall.”
Anne stowed her valise and medicine case, set her bonnet and gloves on a shelf, and after a soft knock, let herself into Lady Celia’s room.
“Oh! You gave me a start.” Lady Celia pressed a hand to her chest.
“Sorry.”
“No, no. It’s good to see that door open. It’s been too long.” She turned toward the opposite dressing room and called, “Rosa? Rosa! Oh, where is that girl?”
“Rosa is your lady’s maid, I believe?”
“Yes. I don’t like calling ladies’ maids by their surnames. Especially hers.Stark.Awful. Rosa!”
“Here I am, my lady.”
In walked a slender young woman who moved with grace and possessed an ethereal beauty. Golden-blond hair had been expertly pinned atop her head and perfect ringlets framed an angelic face with wide-set blue eyes, brows a shade darker than her hair, and full lips with a small birthmark beside them. She was dressed demurely in a modest sprigged muslin day dress and carried a shawl over her arm. If she were more than nineteen or twenty years of age, Anne would be very much surprised.
“I was pressing your silk shawl and had to be most careful.”
