‘But Elizabeth bought a hat only yesterday.’ And I did not think Jane would be lured out by the milliner’s alone.They must have gone to the library again. But why did they not stop by the park and collect me?
‘Mrs Bromley may know where they are,’ said Edward, returningto his book. ‘I’m sure they haven’t gone far.’
I went off in search of the housekeeper down the narrow hallway, which led through to the kitchen. The cook was whisking something lumpy on the Aga, and when I enquired, she indicated the door with a frown and said Mrs Bromley was in the garden.
Indeed, the housekeeper was arranging a couple of dripping cream-coloured chemises on a washing line that had been strung up between two trees.
‘Mrs Bromley? Sorry to disturb you ...’ I said from the doorway.
She turned and saw me watching her. Her cheeks coloured a little, and I guessed it was her personal undergarments on display, not those of Elizabeth. ‘I was just taking the chance to get these washed while the weather’s fine,’ she said, sounding defensive. ‘I will get to the other laundry presently.’
‘I did not come about the laundry,’ I said.
‘Oh ... Well, how can I help you, Mrs Fitzroy?’
‘Do you know where everyone is? There is only Edward in the house, and no plans were made to go out during breakfast.’
Mrs Bromley’s shoulders relaxed.
‘Why, yes, a gentleman came calling. I let him in myself. I am not sure of the exact conversation that took placein the drawing room. But afterwards, Mrs Austen came out to see me and said they were going out, so they would not need luncheon. And then there was a mad rush for the ladies to don their gloves, pelisses, and such. Then they piled into the gentleman’s carriage and took off at a great rate of knots. That’s all I can tell you, I’m afraid.’
I blinked.What on earth?
‘This young gentleman, what did he look like?’ I enquired breathlessly.
Mrs Bromley sniffed and continued pegging her chemises.
‘I am not in the business of describing gentlemen. But if you want to know, he was taller than most and had dark-brown hair.’
‘And a mole under his left eye?’
She considered. ‘I cannot say for sure, perhaps. But mole or no mole, he caused a disturbance. Cook had started preparing luncheon and is most put out.’
I thanked Mrs Bromley and, leaving her to her washing, went back inside, feeling as disgruntled as the cook. There was no other conclusion but that it was Mr Hart who had called. But what had possessed Elizabeth (who had been nursing a headache!) and Jane (who was good sense itself!) to go off with him in his carriage?
It was a mystery that could not be solved until theyreturned. So I had to be patient, a trait that was not my strong point. Fortunately, I had my letter to Max to keep me occupied; and then Edward and I ate a luncheon of ham, cheese, and bread. Mrs Bromley was most apologetic as to the meagre fare but said that what had been planned for luncheon was now going to be supper due to the ‘exceptional circumstances’ of that morning. Edward remained as puzzled as I as to these ‘exceptional circumstances’ and where everyone was.
After luncheon had been cleared away, Edward went off to have a nap, and I was left to pace about in the drawing room and look out the window. At long last, a shiny black carriage drew up outside the house, and three ladies popped out. The carriage then raced off and did not linger.
Finally, they were back!
The front door opened, and the sound of excited chatter reached my ears as they removed their bonnets. Still feeling mightily put out that I had been excluded from this impromptu outing, I continued looking out the window but was unseeing of anything.
When they all came into the drawing room with smiles on their faces, I turned and said frostily, ‘Hello. Have you all had a nice time?’
Jane knew me well enough to detect when I was annoyed and immediately came over.
She rubbed my poker-stiff shoulders briskly and said, ‘Let us sit down, and we will explain everything.’
Reluctantly, I let her lead me to the sofa, and they all settled themselves next to me. Elizabeth looked well again, and Lucinda’s cheeks were high in colour. Her gloominess from this morning had definitely dissipated.
‘What happened to make you all go off like that? I came back from my walk, and no one was here but Edward,’ I said peevishly.
Jane glanced at Elizabeth. ‘I told you we should have done a loop around the park and picked her up.’
Elizabeth patted my arm briefly. ‘We are so sorry, Felicity, but it all happened in such a rush. Mr Hart called on us!’
‘I learned that from interrogating Mrs Bromley,’ I said dryly. ‘Go on.’
