Mr Caspar stirred under his covers, murmuring in his sleep.
Suddenly, Belinda saw that this couple, whose affection and guidance had carried her throughout her life, neededherhelp for once.
“I will see to them, Aunt Rose,” she said firmly, though she quailed inside.
Without objecting, Rose sank onto the bed and draped her arm protectively over her husband.
Steeling herself, Lindy exited the room and started down the hallway. Meeting Minnie on the stairs, she spoke just as the maid opened her mouth.
“Yes, I saw them through the window,” Belinda whispered as the candlelight revealed no one was in the hall below. “Where have you put them?”
“Didn’t put them anywhere, miss!” There were two pink spots of indignation on the maid’s cheeks. “They jes’ walked past me and made themselves to ‘ome in the parlour!”
Even the servants are suffering from my mistake.
“No matter, Minnie. Go and join the others for your dinner. I’ll see to our…guests.” A few additional words were perched on Belinda’s tongue, but good sense held them there.
A quick bob and the servant was down the stairs, headed back to the kitchen.
These Chaffees are hardly owed the barest civility.Praying she might be eloquent while sending them off, Belinda descended the last few steps. Just as she reached the closed parlour door, she could hear Clarice beyond it, soughing loudly.
“La! Whereisour aunt?”
“Well, we know she’s in London, at least,” Anne replied, then went on, drolly, “Perhaps she’s down on Drury Lane, reprising one of her favourite rôles.”
Her sister giggled. “Even as our uncle lays ill upstairs?”
“All the more reason she might be eager to secure another benefactor.”
Belinda burned with anger as the sisters laughed.
“My, what a fine instrument this is!” This was Clarice.
“Well, of course — nothing but the very best forDear RoseandNelly Darling.You might as well play it if you’d like — that maid seemed in no hurry.”
As Lindy tried to calm herself, a few sweet notes sounded from the pianoforte. The song gained strength, and she marveled that such a rude creature could be a channel for such beauty.
Oh, stop shirking,she urged herself.The sooner you face them, the sooner they’ll be gone.
Gripping the doorknob, she drew on every ounce of courage that might be found within her.
Alwyn's Undoing
WHEN ALWYN came in through the servants’ entrance, he saw the Caspars’ staff seated at a well-laden table, ready for their hard-earned meal. Every face turned towards him, wonderingly.
How rude I must seem, bursting in at their dinnertime.
“Please don’t get up,” he said, moving past them. “I know the way.”
As he headed deeper into the house, a melody drifted towards him in the passageway. Thinking Miss Everson must be playing the pianoforte for her aunt and uncle, he felt even more intrusive and wondered how he might explain his appearance. But as he reached the front hall, he saw the woman herself.
With her hand on the doorknob, she looked as if she had meant to enter the parlour but was waiting, listening to the music.
It must be Mrs Caspar who is playing,Alwyn thought.Good. Here I might speak to Miss Everson privately.
He cleared his throat lightly and her head snapped towards him. When their eyes met in the semi-darkness, hers dimmed with confusion.
“Mr Alwyn,” she said quietly. “Were you called for this evening?”
