“Mr. Langley asked me to give this to you, My Lady.” Madeleine looked nervous but seemed to relax at the look of excitement on her mistress’s face.
“Oh, I cannot believe it,” Caroline squealed, opening the letter with shaking hands.
Dearest Lady Caroline.
I pray that you are well. Your letter was a beacon of bright light, which only your smile can outshine. I praise that scoundrel pickpocket, as, without him, I would never have had the pleasure of holding your hand in mine. Being in Lord Brighney’s service has been the chance of my life, for not only has it been the tremendous honor it surely is, but it has brought me closer to you.
You have rendered me powerless. In this unjust world, there is light, in the shape of you. I fear for the day once my service comes to an end. I am powerless, a slave to my heart. The day when I will not return to Brighney Manor will be bleak, and I will pity my poor soul.
I go on, uncertain of my fate, but I will nurse the slightest hope, to see your face, your hand, your smile—once more.
Most sincerely yours, J.L.
Caroline’s heart was beating heavily as she read the letter for a second time and a third time. Her head was swimming with emotion. How his words had penetrated her, as though he had unlocked a previously unknown language. She felt weak in the knees, and before she knew what was happening, she tripped as she stood. Madeleine ran forward to her, guiding her to sit down in the chaise lounge.
“My Lady,” she said anxiously, “Are you all right?”
“Oh, yes,” Caroline replied, “I was just overcome…” Her voice trailed away, feeling uncertain about saying more to her lady’s maid. But to her surprise, Madeleine finished the sentence, “With emotion.” She was smiling shyly.
“Yes.” Caroline chuckled, “I think that is an apt explanation.”
“He had the same look.” Madeleine continued. “Mr. Langley,” she added for clarification.
“He did?” Caroline bit her lip, holding the letter close to her heart.
“Oui,” Madeleine said quickly, “I mean, yes, My Lady.”
“Do you ever miss France?” Caroline regarded her maid. She had never really thought about what Madeleine’s life might have been like before coming to her.
“No, My Lady,” Madeleine spoke with resigned determination. “I do sometimes miss my mother, but working here, with you, is a great privilege—an honor.”
“I’m glad you are here,” Caroline said truthfully.
“I want you to know that you can trust me.” Madeleine looked intently at Caroline, glancing at the letter still clutched in her hand.
“Thank you,” Caroline said sincerely.
Chapter 7
She was walking in the pale dusk. She did not immediately recognize her surroundings, although they did seem familiar. The neatly trimmed hedges and the bench by the carved fountain made her think of the courtyard at Brighney Manor, but something was different. The hem of her gown was wet from the dew of the grass. She felt as if someone was watching her in a hidden closure of two trees, but to her surprise, she was not appalled nor frightened. She wanted this person to watch her.
She sauntered toward the darkness, her heart beating rapidly. Her breath quickened, and her skin was burning. She closed her eyes. The flutter in the pit of her stomach intensified with the sound of nearby footsteps. Someone stood behind her, she could feel their heavy breaths on the back of her neck. She longed for him to touch her, and at the thought, strong arms grabbed her. He held her up to his hard body. She could hear his heart beating, loud and strong. His face moved closer to hers, whispering in her ear…
“Lady Caroline!” A knock on the door rudely awoke Caroline. She sat up, disoriented. Her cheeks were flushed, and she could not make out the sound she was hearing.
“My Lady?” Madeleine’s voice. Nearby.
That was some dream.
“Come in,” Caroline cried. Her whole body felt tingly, but she drew a deep breath, trying to gain control of her senses—and her body. Madeleine entered the room, seemingly surprised to see Caroline still in bed.
“Her Grace is inquiring about your whereabouts.” Madeleine gave a small curtsey, before opening the drapes and letting in the sunlight.
“It’s very early,” Caroline said, narrowing her eyes against the brightness.
“Her Grace says we should head out early,” Madeleine explained.
“Head out?” Caroline stood by her dresser and allowed Madeleine to help her take off her nightgown.
“To Moulsey Hurst, My Lady.” Madeleine turned around to fetch one of the new gowns that had arrived from the dressmaker the day before.
“Moulsey…” Caroline repeated, still feeling confused. At last, her mind seemed to register with her lady’s maid’s word.
“Moulsey Hurst, of course,” she said, “I had completely forgotten that was today.”
They were travelling to the countryside for a cricket match today. Caroline had been so preoccupied with the letter from Mr. Langley and the news of Miss Pembroke that she had utterly lost track of her social calendar.
“Well, we should not let Her Grace wait, lest this day be completely ruined.” Caroline chortled, and Madeleine tried to hide her grin.
A short while later, Caroline joined her aunt and father in the dining room for breakfast. She was wearing a pale pink gown, which had a matching parasol. The material was light, and she imagined that might help with the wretched carriage ride, which she was already dreading. This was the first cricket match of the Season, and would likely be a raucous affair.
Caroline had to admit that she was rather looking forward to it. Being out in nature, with some dear friends, had a very enticing allure. It would also help to distract her from last night’s dream. The mere thought of it made her cheeks flush pink. Trying to distract herself, she had a sip of her tea, but she inhaled it instead of swallowing it, causing her to cough.
“Are you all right, child?” Her Grace asked, looking sternly at Caroline.
“Yes, Your Grace,” Caroline replied at once, taking a calming breath.
“We should leave soon.” The Dowager Duchess continued, “I cannot bear travelling in the sun.”
“Well, enjoy yourselves,” Lord Brighney said, looking up from his newspaper.
“Will you not come with us?” Caroline turned to her Father.
“No, the cricket field will have to wait,” her Father sighed, folding his newspaper, “I will use this time to work with young Mr. Langley.” At the sound of Mr. Langley’s name, Caroline froze.
“You will be missed, Father,” she finally said, standing up. “Your Grace, I need to go and ask Madeleine to find my fan, excuse me.” She hurried out of the dining hall and up the corridor that led to her room.
Inside she opened the top drawer in her worktable and grabbed the letter she had penned the evening before. Her fingers trembled as she folded it neatly together. She melted the wax and poured it carefully over the paper, but before it dried, she picked a small flower from the vase on the table and pushed it into the thick blue liquid.
She smiled at the attractive outcome, but she knew she must hurry back downstairs. Holding the letter behind her back, she left her room, and to her great relief, noticed Madeleine at once.
“I need you to put this on Mr. Langley’s desk, in Lord Brighney’s library.” She handed her maid the letter. “Hide it amongst the papers there.” Madeleine nodded her head and turned toward the library.
“Oh, and bring me my fan, as well.” Caroline grinned and tiptoed down the staircase, feeling excited.
Later that morning, Caroline sat on a wobbly little wooden chair, holding her parasol high to protect her fair skin from the sun. The carriage ride had been rather pleasant, much to her surprise. Madeleine had plucked peppermint from the herb garden and tied a thin ribbon around it. She instructed Caroline to inhale the scent of the mint whenever she felt ill during the ride.
“My mother mentioned this remedy in her latest
letter,” Madeleine had said to her just before they left Brighney Manor. The mint had indeed helped her, and once they arrived, Caroline felt refreshed rather than nauseous.
The cricket field was crowded with men dressed in light summer clothes, that always ended up with terrible grass stains. The men ran back and forth, brandishing their cricket bats, yelling insults at each other. The game was supposed to be in good fun, but Caroline always felt that if the ladies were not present at these matches, there would be little to stop this sport from becoming rather bloody.
She applauded politely as one of the teams scored another point, her attention not really on the game. She was not the only one, though. These matches, like so many other events during the Season, were more about being seen. But thankfully, the weather was beautiful today, and a change of scenery was always welcome. All around the cricket field sat people, some on blankets on the ground, while others sat at tables like Caroline and her aunt. A familiar figure walked toward her, with a broad smile on her face.
“Lovely day, don’t you think?” Lady Anna beamed at Caroline, before turning to the Dowager Duchess, “Your Grace,” she said with a graceful curtsey. Her lady’s maid stood behind her, with her head down.
“How do you do.” The Dowager Duchess gave Lady Anna a rare smile. “I hope you will join us?”
“I would be delighted.” At Lady Anna’s words, a servant came forward with a chair for her to sit down next to Caroline. They watched the game for a little while until the Dowager Duchess stood to go greet an acquaintance nearby. Lady Anna turned her head closer to Caroline and spoke to her, with a polite smile, “My maid received news this morning.” Her voice was soft, but her gaze was serious.
“Did she get Miss Pembroke’s former maid’s address?” Caroline asked.
“She did.” Lady Anna had a peculiar expression.
“Is something the matter?” Caroline asked.
“It is all rather strange,” Lady Anna replied.
“How so?” She peered toward her aunt, who stood nearby, chatting animatedly to an older lady. Caroline did not recognize the older lady, but she did find it curious to see her aunt speaking with such excitement. It was quite unusual.
“Apparently, Miss Pembroke’s former maid, Esther, is not living alone.” Lady Anna continued, her smile faltering. “She lives with two other women—all former lady’s maids.”
“What are the chances of that happening?” Caroline pondered out loud.
“Well, that’s not all.” Lady Anna moved even closer to Caroline.
“What is it?” Caroline asked apprehensively.
“Emma lives with her,” Lady Anna said, “Your Emma.”
“What?” Caroline gasped, but Lady Anna shushed her at once.
“Be quiet,” Lady Anna said, alarmed. “We must be careful no one overhears us.”
“I’m sorry.” Caroline could not comprehend what her friend had just told her.
“This is all the information my maid could acquire.” Lady Anna was whispering now. “I cannot send her out there again, it isn’t safe for her.” Lady Anna reached into her reticule and handed her a small piece of paper.
“I quite understand.” Caroline took Lady Anna’s hand in her own, accepting the note surreptitiously. “Thank you, my dear friend.”
“You must promise me that you will proceed with most caution,” Lady Anna implored her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
“You have my word,” Caroline replied.
They sat in silence for a long while. The cricket match had ended, and Caroline didn’t have the foggiest idea who had won. The crowd dispersed, the players roaring with laughter and slamming each other hard on the back.
The Dowager Duchess was returning to her seat when a young lady, who was rather preoccupied observing the cricket players, bumped into her. Caroline and Lady Anna had to bite their lips to stop them from laughing out loud, as the look on the Dowager Duchess was priceless.
“I do beg your pardon, Your Grace.” The young lady apologized profusely, looking close to tears. Her maid hurried toward her, giving the Dowager Duchess a low curtsey.
“A lady should always walk with grace and poise.” The Dowager Duchess turned away from the whimpering young lady and sat down in her seat.
“Poor thing.” Caroline watched the young lady, who had tears in her eyes, and her maid, walk away.
“If it isn’t Lady Louisa.” Lady Anna sighed and shook her head.
“Is that really her?” Caroline said, turning around to try and see the young lady again. “She was just a young girl last time I saw her.”
“She’s still quite young,” Lady Anna said. Lady Louisa Balfour was seventeen years old, and looked even younger, but had grown slightly since Caroline last saw her. However, her small stature, delicate features, and light brown hair, all gave the impression of a girl, not a young lady. There was something about her, though, that reminded Caroline of someone.
One of the servants had brought forth a fresh pot of tea, and the Dowager Duchess asked Lady Anna and Caroline whether they would prefer weak or strong tea.
“Strong!” They said at the same time. While the Dowager Duchess prepared their tea, Caroline spotted young Lady Louisa again. She looked frightened as a mouse hiding from a group of cats. That’s when she realized who Lady Louisa reminded her of—Emma, on the day she resigned her position as Caroline’s lady’s maid.
Will I finally find out the reason why Emma left? Can her departure in some way be connected with sweet Miss Pembroke’s fate?
Chapter 8
Caroline was silent and deep in thought on the carriage ride back to London. Thankfully, her Aunt was exhausted from the day out and, therefore, did not mention her behavior. She stared out the carriage window, watching the sun setting, and the sky turning amber. It had been a lovely day, and Caroline was tired, but most of all, she wanted answers.
What could be the reason behind all this?
Could there possibly be a simple explanation as to why Emma was living with two other former lady’s maids? Caroline made sure that her aunt was half snoring in the seat in front of her before she took out the snippet of paper Lady Anna had given her. Now she needed to find out how she would be able to go to that address.
The carriage came to a gentle stop, and the footmen rushed down to open the compartment door, assisting Caroline and the Dowager Duchess down the steps. It was already dark outside, and Caroline longed for her bed. She bade goodnight, after turning down Mrs. Wilson’s offer for a small bite to eat.
“Thank you, Mrs. Wilson, but I am absolutely exhausted.” She barely managed to stifle her yawn.
“You just let me know, My Lady, and I’ll have the cook fix you something,” Mrs. Wilson said affectionately. Caroline thanked the housekeeper and continued up the stairs. Madeleine hurried up after her and helped her disrobe. The lady’s maid seemed concerned about her mistress, and she said anxiously, “Should I bring you something warm to drink, My Lady?”
“I’m just tired, Madeleine.” Caroline walked to her bed and pulled back the cover.
She awoke suddenly from a disorienting dream. She had been looking for her snuff-box, but when she woke, a cry for help echoed from the small box. The voices called her name, and they sounded familiar. She looked around the dark room. It was still night. She felt light-headed, and she realized that she hadn’t eaten much the previous day.
Not wanting to wake anyone, she decided she would sneak into the kitchen like she did when she had been young. She reached for her robe, tied the sash around her waist, and slid into her slippers. Caroline tiptoed to the corridor, which was thankfully empty. She walked the familiar path to the kitchen, making sure to skip the step that always creaked loudly.
To her surprise, there was a faint light from a candle inside the kitchen. She entered the room and saw Mrs. Wilson standing by the stove. “Mrs. Wilson.” At Caroline’s words, the housekeeper jumped, clearly startled.
“Dear child, you gave my heart a
n awful scare.” Mrs. Wilson had her hand over her chest. “Why are you up so late, My Lady?”
“Oh, bad dream.” Caroline stood by one of the chairs by the table where the servants ate.
“I can have something brought to your room,” Mrs. Wilson said kindly.
“No, no, please.” Caroline dismissed that idea. “I just wanted to sneak a little bite to eat.”
“Have a seat, My Lady,” Mrs. Wilson said. “How about a little nightcap? I was just about to make one.”
“That sounds lovely,” Caroline replied. “Are you having trouble sleeping?”
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