She only made it as far as the second stair down from her own room. Before she made it another step, her legs simply seemed to give out on her and she found herself sitting on the step, her elbows on her knees, her chin in her hands, just staring at the graceful plaster acanthus leaves that rimmed the ceiling a story below.
She should continue on her way, she knew. Lord Flint would be waiting for her report, especially after she'd made such a point of ushering him out of her sitting room once it became apparent he wouldn't coax, bully or wheedle any more information from Miss Murphy. But too much had happened too quickly.
For the last four days all she had done was wander these rooms, ride around the park and once or twice take a turn at the duke's piano....
That reminded her. She had piano music somewhere. She had packed so fast to leave she’d completely forgotten to gather it up. She'd recover it when things settled down a bit.
Outside the tall windows the long gloaming had settled over the park, and below the servants were undoubtedly setting up for family dinner. Felicity had a feeling she truly should grab that music and run for her life while she had the chance. Nothing made sense to her, and the situation was growing odder by the moment. She simply didn't know what to do.
“Miss Chambers?” she heard above her.
Higgins, she realized.
“You poor man,” she said, not moving. “Do you ever get a moment off your feet?”
She thought he might have smiled. “It is rare the master is this busy here.”
She smiled herself. “And yet you seem to have a steady stream of guests.”
“Well, er...em...yes.” She heard him rustle a bit, as if changing positions. “Is there anything I could get for you, Miss?”
She thought about asking him to join her on the step, but knew that the idea was a nonstarter. Good butlers would have to be missing both legs at the hip to sit in the presence of guests.
“I assume a maid comes with my fancy new bedroom?”
He cleared his throat. “As to that, Miss...the staff and I would like to—”
She lifted a finger in the air, still not facing him. “I had better not hear the word 'apologize,' Higgins. You forget. I have spent my adulthood caught between stairs, and I know precisely how this entire episode was mismanaged. And not by you or any of your staff.”
It occurred to her at that moment that of course the staff would have known of the discussion in Aunt Winnie's sitting room. Poor Mrs. Windom must be gnawing her nails to the knuckle.
Felicity leaned her head far enough back to make eye contact with a very rigid Higgins. “Higgins,” she said, gentling her own voice. “I would very much appreciate your delivering a message to Mrs. Windom as quickly as possible. She is an excellent housekeeper supervising a staff that is in good heart. Her job is quite secure.”
Higgins didn't lower himself enough to actually slump, but Felicity could see the hint of a smile. “You believe you might be remaining with us, Miss?” he asked in a suspiciously noncommittal voice.
Felicity returned her chin to her palms. “Oh, Higgins, I have no idea. But no matter what happens, I will make sure my promise to Mrs. Windom is kept.”
“Thank you, Miss.”
She nodded. “Now. That maid.”
“Mrs. Windom had thought to appoint Sukie. Bright girl, ready for the chance.”
Seventeen or so, just a bit taller than Felicity and plump as a berry scone, if memory served.Hmmm,Felicity thought. The idea of scones was making her stomach rumble. She was going to need to eat soon. “Could you ask her to join me, please?”
There was a brief pause. “Here?”
She grinned to herself. “Here, Higgins.”
She thought he bowed. “At once, Miss.”
Sukie ran, too. Everybody in this house seemed to have a habit of running, Felicity thought, still seated on her step.
The girl arrived from the servants' stairs at the back and trundled down the carpeted hallway.
“Yes, Miss Chambers?” she asked, stuttering to a halt at the top of the steps. “You needed me?”
Felicity patted the stair net to her. “Would you mind joining me, Sukie?”
