“The games have been called!”
“Oooh!” Anna leaped out of the chair she was in and ran, followed by Fred, as she liked to be known, and Matilda.
“Ah, girls, we’re not done yet.”
“It’s the Crabbett Close games, Miss Downing. Nothing is more important than that,” Theo said, following his sisters. “We told you all about them yesterday, so you are prepared.”
“Oh well, off you go, then. I shall await your return, and we will continue with our lessons,” Eliza said, knowing she could not stop them doing something they so obviously loved.
“You are invited to participate, too, Miss Downing,” the boy said.
“No, thank you.”
Theo gave her a last look before fleeing. She smiled, hearing the thud of his booted feet on the floor.
Apparently the Crabbett Close games had been taking place for many years now. They were an event that involved drinking and eating suspicious foods or reading a poem or solving a riddle. To be honest, she’d been no wiser after the explanation, as it all sounded surreal. What she knew was that she would never be partaking in said games.
Refrain from attending social events with the family unless explicitly commanded. Even then, be present in a supervisory capacity only.
After cleaning the parlor that had been vacated at speed, she headed up to her room.
When not with your charges, withdraw to your room.
For all there was an unusualness to the Nightingale household, Eliza had no doubt they were good people. She’d watched the way they interacted with one another, and seeing that their affection was shared and genuine, yet more of the tension inside her had eased.
Eliza had also spent a lot of time with Bud, thehousekeeper, and Mr. Dumple, the cook, in her short time here, and come to like them both very much.
I could be happy here. I just need to avoid the Scottish behemoth.
“Miss Downing.” Her name was followed by a soft tap on her door.
Eliza hurried to open it. Frederica Nightingale stood there.
“Come along, Miss Downing. The games are due to start soon.”
“Pardon?”
“The games. You are to attend, as you are new. It’s a ritual. You cannot refuse an invitation when one has been issued.”
Eliza blinked for no other reason than that she didn’t know what else to do.
“Do come along. It’s chilly out, so gloves—oh, you’re already wearing them. But a scarf, and of course your outer clothing.”
“Ah, Fred, I don’t think it would be right for me to do so.”
“Why not?”
“I am staff.”
“Bud and Mr. Dumple have taken part a few times. If they don’t now, it’s because they aren’t feeling up to it, not because they are not invited, Miss Downing. Everyone who is here when the games are called is welcomed.”
“That sounds wonderful. Thank you for the offer.”
Maintain strict formality with all senior members of the household.
Mrs. Holton would have conniptions if she heard Eliza had been socializing with the family, especially given that the woman was already unhappy with her for some reason.
The last time they’d spoken, the woman had snapped at her for speaking loudly—which she had not been doing—and then told her that she was most displeased about her behavior.When Eliza had questioned what behavior she spoke of, Mrs. Holton had told her to leave the room. It had all been very odd.
