Chapter Three
“So Letitia tells me you are to be her maid?” Lady Rosaline Ridlington surveyed Harriet with a cautious gaze.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“You must understand, Rosaline,” said Letitia. “It’s a necessity.”
Rosaline’s glance of puzzlement embraced both of them. “For whom?”
“Well me, for a start. You know how scatterbrained I can be. Why just last night I forgot that I still had my boots on and came in to dinner trailing mud.”
Rosaline grinned. “Seeing as the carpet in the dining room is of such a dismal shade that mud would improve it, I see no issues there, but I take your point.” She nodded.
“There, you see?” Letitia grinned at Harriet who was looking somewhat apprehensive.
“And you find this arrangement acceptable, Miss Harry?”
Harriet glanced at Letitia. “May I explain it to Lady Ridlington?”
Letitia nodded. “Of course. You may trust Rosaline as I do.”
Rosaline looked intrigued. “Trust me with what?”
Harriet straightened her back as she sat on a small side chair. “I have left London recently to seek sanctuary in the country, my Lady. My life had become untenable, and the choices I faced would lead to my ruination. They were presented to me by the two remaining members of my family who insist they have my best interests at heart.” She looked Rosaline in the eye. “They don’t. The only interests they have at heart are their own financial ones. To be blunt, my Lady, they have attempted to sell me twice. For money.”
“Good God.” Rosaline’s expression accurately relayed both horror and disgust. “You poor girl. No wonder you fled.”
“I was afraid they would find me. But as luck would have it, I stopped at the Ridlington Vale inn this morning. And that is where Miss Letitia proved my saviour.”
“And came up with this harebrained plan to make you her maid?”
“It’s not harebrained,” interrupted Letitia. “I’m offended. I think it’s quite a clever plan.”
“Of course you would,” answered Rosaline. “It’s yours.”
“I am very happy with it, Ma’am, truly,” soothed Harriet. “I believe I can be of assistance to Miss Letitia, and having a place of security, anonymity, will suit me well for a time. I need no other recompense.”
Rosaline’s mouth turned up into a wry smile. “Well that’s good news. Because, my dear, not to put too fine a point on it, we’re rather at our wits’ end as far as offering wages, at the moment.”
“I explained all that,” said Letitia impatiently. “I did think this through, Rosaline. Honestly. Sometimes I do have quite good ideas.
“I know, my love. You do indeed.” She looked at Harriet again. “And I believe this one—instigated by your warm heart rather than considered thought—will be another of your good ideas.” She grinned. “Welcome to Ridlington, Miss Harry. I hope you’re prepared for what you may be getting into.”
Harriet curtseyed. “Thank you, my Lady. As far as I can tell I am getting into exactly what I could only dream about up until now. A place where I am safe.”
Rosaline’s face softened. “You will always be safe here. As safe as we can make it. That’s my promise. Now, Letitia…” She turned to her sister-in-law. “Making Miss Harry comfortable is your obligation. If I recall, there is a maid’s room near yours. If it still has a roof and the windows work, then perhaps that will suit?” She waved her hand at them. “I must go and tend our newest resident.”
Letitia smiled. “And how is our poppet today?”
Rosaline smiled back. “For a baby, he’s just perfect. Which means he let us sleep through the night.”
“How lovely, Ma’am. And congratulations.” Harriet smiled warmly. “How blessed you are.”
“Blessed indeed.” Rosaline stood. “And I’ll be cursed shortly if I don’t provide my son with his afternoon meal. So please do whatever you need to do, both of you. I’ll tell Edmund when he returns from the farms, and Letitia, I’m relying on you to make all right for Miss Harry.” She levelled a pointed gaze at her sister-in-law.
“Trust me, my dear. I have everything well in hand.” Letitia nodded complacently.
“I wonder why that unnerves me,” muttered Rosaline to herself as she left the room.
