She helped her up and grasped her arm, and they made their way out of the cottage with Mrs Busby apologising profusely.
I sat there, feeling a bit shocked. Gracious! Now I knew why the servants didn’t like her. I imagined that if she was in the habit of having ‘strange turns’, she had made some vague predictions about their futures and frightened them as she had done Lucinda. It was most unsettling indeed!
Chapter 7
Later that night, Jane and I discussed the matter in her room. We sat in comfortable chairs, warming our hands and feet in front of a brisk fire. According to Jane, Mrs Busby had made a full recovery and was now perfectly well.
‘I am glad to hear it. But is the woman able to deliver Lucy’s baby? What if she goes into a trance while she’s delivering it or, worse, doesn’t show up because she’s having visions in her cottage? We should tell Elizabeth.’
‘Mrs Busby reassured me that it is not a frequent thing and that it had been six months since she had last had one. Apparently, she told the scullery maid she was going to have either triplets or quintuplets and frightened her silly. The girl ran off and told the other maids, and they have been frosty with her ever since. She begged me not to tell Elizabeth in case her husband is let go, and he loves working here.’
Jane gave me a beseeching look, and I heaved a sigh. ‘All right, I shan’t say anything then.’ My tone turned ominous. ‘But woe betide you if she can’t deliver Lucy’s baby because she’s twitching on the floor!’
Jane sniggered. ‘You sound like you’re her now!’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Enough about Mrs Busby. I have a more pressing worry: the tea party tomorrow afternoon.’
It was scheduled for between two o’clock and four o’clock in the parlour, and there were five ladies invited, including Lady Claridge and her daughter.Shehad RSVP’d first with an eager ‘We are delighted to accept your kind invitation’.
I was dreading it and wished it was already over. But Jane drew a piece of paper from her pocket and said reassuringly, ‘There is nothing to worry about in that regard, Flissy. I have jotted down a few likely questions, and we will run through them, and I will help you with your replies.’
I settled back in my chair, thinking what a good friend she was. ‘All right, you may proceed.’
Jane peered at her paper in the flickering firelight. ‘I’ll start with an easy one. Now I’m sure Lady Claridge will say something like “Oh, I see you are expecting, Mrs Fitzroy. How absolutely delightful! Pray tell, when is your baby due?”’
She’d put on an affected plummy tone with facial expressions to match, and I stifled a giggle.
‘In a few weeks, Lady Claridge, though babies do have their own sense of time, don’t they?’
‘“Excellent, excellent. I suppose it is kicking madly inthere? Can I feel it?” I doubt she will actually try to feel your stomach as it is rather forward of her to do so,’ said Jane hastily. ‘But it is best to be prepared for all eventualities.’
I thought quickly. ‘It tends to be asleep at this hour, and at other times, I have felt only the mildest of flutterings. It seems to be a very quiet, well-behaved child.’
Jane nodded approvingly. ‘That should put her off. You aredoing well, Flissy! Very good acting.’
I lifted my chin, pleased at the compliment. If I had not married Max, perhaps I could have pursued a career on the stage in London instead of being a seamstress.
‘Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?’
I tilted my head to the side and pretended to consider. ‘Ido not mind, Lady Claridge, as long as it is healthy. But my husbandishoping for a boy.’
Jane nodded. ‘Indeed! A fine strapping lad to carry on the family name. Capital!’
I fought to keep a straight face. If Lady Claridge did actually talk like this, I was going to be more in trouble for laughing than anything else!
‘Where do you normally reside, Mrs Fitzroy?’
‘Derbyshire, Lady Claridge,’ I replied confidently.
‘Gracious me, that is very strange. Why have you travelledso far away from home for your confinement?’
Jane gave me a piercing look, and my confident manner faltered. ‘I ... uh ... you see ... I’m ...Blast!’
‘Yes, that is a tricky one,’ said Jane. ‘But you may get asked about it, so you need to have an answer prepared. It does look a bit odd that you’re having your baby in Kent and not in Derbyshire.’
I thought about it for a while silently as the fire crackled and sparked in the grate. ‘I suppose I could say something like “Since it is my first child, I wanted to be in the company of someone who was well versed in the process. My dear friend Elizabeth has kindly agreed to give me the best care and advice, and I trust her experience in the matter most implicitly” or some such. That would hopefully satisfy her. I could also make some comment about the cake to further divert her attention away from me.’
Jane grinned and applauded. ‘Excellent work! That should do it. Let’s hope she doesn’t start on me.’
