Lizzie must have read my thoughts. “He really isn’t as disagreeable as he seems.”
I was surprised by her chosen description of ‘disagreeable’ for a member of the family she worked for. If Aunt Ruth had ever caught word of one of her servants speaking ill of her (which I had witnessed on many occasions) they would have been dismissed instantly.
Recognizing her folly, Lizzie scrambled to redeem herself. “Believe me, miss, he’s actually quite a respectable gentleman.” Her eyes widened in sincerity.
I cast her a skeptical look. “I have yet to see that side of him.”
“I’m certain you will.”
“Doubtful,” I mumbled under my breath as she began walking down the wide corridor.
She stopped at a door halfway down. “Your bedchamber, miss.” She threw the doors open and stepped aside, allowing me to lead the way into the room. I stopped in surprise. It was at least three times the size of my bedchamber at Oak Cottage. The lofty windows, draped in gold curtains, framed a breathtaking prospect of the grounds and thick woods behind the home. On the wall beside them was a vanity and ivory chair, with a four poster bed and writing desk on the opposite side of the room.
“Lizzie,” I turned around, stunned, “I cannot possibly?—”
She flashed a reassuring smile. “I was instructed to prepare the finest guest rooms in the house for you and your brothers.”
I walked to the bed and sat down, wringing my fingers together. I swallowed hard against the urge to refuse the accommodations. “Please send my gratitude to Mrs. Kellaway.”
“There will be no need for that.”
My eyes flew up at the sound of Mrs. Kellaway’s voice. She stood in front of Lizzie with a broad smile. My spine straightened to match hers.
“It is the very least I can do,” she said as she walked over to the writing desk. She moved the chair in front of me and sat down.
“Mrs. Kellaway, this room is beautiful, but my brothers and I are quite accustomed to—lesser accommodations. This is hardly necessary.”
She shook her head with a laugh. “Would you have me place you below stairs? It is anhonorto have the children of my dearest friends as my guests. You must allow me to spoil you just a little.”
I looked down at my lap, a smile tugging on my lips. “Well, thank you. You are too kind.”
“It is nothing.” She smoothed her auburn hair, clasping her hands together and leaning forward. “Now tell me, what brings you here today of all days? I assumed that my invitation had been ignored or rejected, so you can imagine my delight at your arrival.”
I took a deep breath. “My aunt sent us. She insisted that we see a new piece of England and experience a change of scenery. It was very kind of her.” I smiled with as much cheer as I could manage. It wasn’t acompletelie. I certainly couldn’t tell her Aunt Ruth’s true purpose for sending us here. Mrs. Kellaway shouldn’t have to be burdened by it, or by any knowledge of our aunt’s true character.
“Remind me, what is your aunt’s name?” she asked.
“Mrs. Ruth Filbee.”
“Oh, yes. We have met.” Her face scrunched with distaste. “You say she sent you here…as an act of kindness?”
I nodded, upholding my smile with effort.
Mrs. Kellaway gave a slow nod. “I see. How…uncharacteristic of her.”
I decided it would be best to ignore that. So I just continued smiling like a ninny until I noticed Mrs. Kellaway’s expression turn solemn. She looked down at her hands and wrung them together, turning her knuckles white. Her sudden change of mood surprised me. A sheen of moisture pooled in her eyes.
“I do want to apologize sincerely for inviting your parents to visit that day.” Her voice cracked. She swiped a tear from her lower lashes before it could spill. “Had I not, they might not be…” she struggled to finish her sentence.
I remembered what she had written in her letter about feeling responsible for the accident. “No, Mrs. Kellaway, there is no need to apologize. Please, do not blame yourself.”
If Mrs. Kellaway blamed herself, thenIcould very well blame myself. I swallowed against the emotion in my throat.
She looked up, seeking reassurance in my eyes. “You don’t blame me?”
“Of course not.”
She relaxed visibly, as if a tremendous weight had been lifted from her shoulders. “I cannot convey to you how much those words mean to me. Thank you.” She exhaled sharply and wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “I hope you have been well all these years. Do you enjoy living with your aunt?”
