“Gracious,” Cecilia said. She handed the second letter from James to Mrs. Vance to read.
“Ah, now I understand,” said Mrs. Vance. She handed the letter to Julia. “I will leave my letter behind. Such a forgetful old woman I am.” She smiled conspiratorially.
“We will need to tell Liddy what is going on and what is expected of her,” Cecilia said.
“How are we to ensure they allow us in the room with Liddy when she is questioned?” Julia asked.
Cecilia’s lips compressed. “I think we just enter. We remind the men Liddy is a child and children are easily frightened. She needs the support of those she knows if she is to feel confident to tell the truth.”
“If we tell Liddy to have a nasty child’s tantrum if we are not allowed in, she will do so with great noise,” Mrs. Vance said.
Cecilia smiled. “I suppose she would.”
“I don’t like this,” Julia said. “That is a great deal of pressure to put on a young child who has been abandoned.”
“What Liddy has in her favor is she knows what love is, she experienced it with her father, even if her mother could not have it for her, and she knows we love her. That gives a child resiliency. And she is very smart.”
“I suppose,” said Julia, continuing to be troubled.
“And I’ve spoken to Mr. Quetal about the book we want him to examine,” Cecilia said.
The curfew bell rang. Those in the room with them began putting away books and games. Mrs. Vance made a show of busily gathering up her shawl and reticule, which she carried everywhere with her. The reticule slipped out of her grasp and as she bent to retrieve it, she dropped her letter on the chair seat as she pulled her shawl back up over her shoulder. “I don’t know why I carry my reticule with me everywhere, I am forever dropping it,” she said aloud as she turned away from her chair.
Cecilia saw the letter on the chair. She took Mrs. Vance’s arm in hers and walked slowly to the library door. “You don’t need to carry one here, but I admit your reticules match your dresses so well, don’t you agree, Julia?” Cecilia prattled.
“La! Mrs. Vance has been stunningly well coordinated in her attire ever since I’ve known her,” Julia enthused.
Mrs. Vance preened at the compliments until she saw Liddy still at the puzzle table. “Liddy, child, it is time for bed. You can finish your puzzle tomorrow. Come away now.”
“Yes, Mrs. Vance,” Liddy said regretfully.
“No one will touch it,” Mrs. Vance assured her.
“Yes, miss,” agreed the young maid who entered the library. “Matron told me to fetch you.”
“Bother,” Liddy grumbled, though she went with the maid.
“Good,” said Cecilia softly. “At least we will know where she will be.” She stared after her. “I think we should fetch her early.”
Mrs. Vance nodded. “I wake early. I will do so. No one should think anything of me doing so.”
“Thank you.”
The ladies were the last to leave the library. “I’ll need to bring the storybook back here early,” Cecilia said quietly.
“The storybook?” Julia asked.
“Yes, Mrs. Vance would say I was quite naughty,” she said with a smile.
“Cecilia, what have you done?” Mrs. Vance asked with mock severity.
“Let’s just say the storybook now tells a different tale, a tale I’m hoping Mr. Quetal can read.”
CHAPTER 23
LIDDY
“How beautiful you look this morning, Liddy,” Cecilia said when she came into breakfast the next morning. “Quite grown-up I’d have to say.”
