"If her ladyship heard you sayin' such things..."
"God's nightgown, Katy!" Elyse burst out laughing. "Grandmother is the one who told me all about it afterward."
"Good heavens, what is the world comin' to?" Katy collapsed on the dark blue satin coverlet draped across the bed.
Elyse crossed the room and knelt before the stricken maid.
"Grandmother thought I should have one of those conversations that all brides have with their mothers when they become betrothed. One thing led to another, and well I just asked... "
"Asked?" Katy was too horrified to believe it was true.
"Well, you and Grandmother always said the best way to find out something was to come right out say it."
Katy groaned, her eyes rolling heavenward. "You did ask her! Lord have mercy, what will she think of me and what I've been teachin' ya?"
Biting her lip, Elyse practically choked from holding back laughter. "She thinks you're a good influence on me. She said just the other day that you keep me from becoming too serious about myself."
Katy fretted. "She'll ship me back to Land's End, I just know it."
"No, she won't," Elyse assured her as she rose and went to the small writing desk that stood before the window. She opened the center drawer and took out an envelope. "I suppose I should save this until Christmas morning," she said, "and you were perfectly rotten to me on the staircase." Her mouth curved into an enticing smile. "But I never could stand the anticipation of waiting." Crossing back to the bed, she thrust the gold embossed envelope into Katy's hands.
"What is this?" Katy eyed it suspiciously. "Me severance pay?"
"Of course!" Elyse teased. Dropping down onto the thick carpet at the maid's feet, she tucked her dressing gown around her long legs. Despite the grim expression on her face, lights danced in her eyes.
"I persuaded Grandmother to keep you on until after the holiday. I thought it would be cruel to toss you out before Christmas." She watched Katy from the corner of her eye.
"You're an impudent girl. It's a wonder young Lord Barrington offered his proposal." Katy teased her back, completely unruffled.
Elyse rolled her eyes and waved her hand through the air in a gesture of abandon. "How could he refuse? You know how determined Grandmother can be when she wants something."
Katy frowned. "I've changed me mind. Yer not impudent, yer just plain rude. I think that knock on the head when you was a wee thing addled yer common sense. Master Barrington won't be pleased with a sharp-tongued bride!"
Elyse's eyes widened in mock horror. "Undoubtedly. He'll probably lock me away in the country and take a mistress here in London."
The maid discreetly refused to respond to this reference to what had been common knowledge about Jerrold Barrington before his engagement to Elyse. She couldn't meet her young mistress’ gaze, having heard from some of the other servants that the situation hadn't changed.
"I believe mistresses are supposed to be quite fashionable. And don't frown at me so," Elyse admonished. "I know of the rumors about Jerrold's activities. There's no need for you to look like a prune-faced old crow?" She fixed Katy with the wide-eyed gaze that more than once had caused the maid to wonder if there wasn't someone much older lurking behind it. "Well, are you going to open it, or must I do it for you?"
Frowning, Katy slipped a finger beneath the wax seal. It was obvious that Elyse was aware of the rumors, so she tried to lighten the mood that had suddenly descended on the room.
"If I'm to be cast off, I might as well start preparin' meself fer it."
She reached out and lovingly pressed a hand against Elyse's cheek. A filmy piece of paper fluttered out of the envelope clutched in her other hand. Katy picked it up and began to read. Then she thrust it into Elyse's hands. "Well, I don't see me final pay. You read it; you know I'm not so good on me letters."
Taking the paper, Elyse rose to her full height. "It's a deed," she announced with great ceremony.
"Deed? To what, in God's name?"
"Katy, darling," Elyse chided teasingly, "you really must try to do something about your language." She then became very serious, her dark sable brows drawing together slightly.
"It's the deed to a house in Cheltingham, not far from here."
Upon seeing Katy's confused expression, she continued. "You see, I have been eavesdropping just a little." She sat down beside the young woman. "I know that practically everything you earn goes to yer family."
Katy nodded. "It's been hard on me mum ever since Pa died. He was a good man, always did his best to provide for all of us. But there was always a new mouth to feed. There were four new babes after I left. Then, after he died... well, mum just couldn't do it alone. The older kids try to help out, but there's just so much they can do."
Elyse squeezed Katy's hands lovingly. "That's why I'm giving you this deed. I know how you miss your mother." She stopped, drawing in a deep breath. "I know how I would feel if my mother were still alive and very far away." Her eyes glistened with sudden emotion. She wiped at them, silently scolding herself. She certainly hadn't intended for this to be a somber occasion.
