by Riker, Becky
Naomi sat down on a bench.
“Dear God, I haven’t the strength to do this on my own. I am terrified of what will happen when I tell the staff what I must. I am more afraid, dear Lord, that my child will grow up in such a home. Please guide my lips.”
She hoped for a sudden sense of peace, but it did not come. She sighed and continued her walk.
Two hours later, Naomi stood before the staff.
“Thank you all, for setting aside a moment to listen to what I have to say. I appreciate that you all work hard, and it is not easy to have your work interrupted.”
She took a deep breath.
“It has come to my notice that there are those among our staff who spend time in idle talk about others. This is not acceptable. Whether the subject of the gossip is another member of our staff, a delivery man, a person from the nearby village or the master himself, it will not be tolerated. Hereafter, rumormongering will be grounds for termination.”
She saw a few jaws drop and some cheeks redden.
“I am also removing all strong drink from the house.”
There was an audible gasp from somewhere in the ranks.
“This does not include the bottle used for medicinal purposes that Mr. Dillon will keep locked. Liquor used for cooking will also be retained, but we will provide a lock for that as well.”
Mr. Dillon looked a bit less staid than usual.
“If anyone is caught bringing alcohol into the house or onto the grounds without explicit permission from Mr. Dillon or me, he or she will be terminated instantly, and there will be no letter of recommendation given.”
All staff were visibly nervous.
“I realize these seem to be abrupt changes, but I have been considering them for some time. I was recently given permission by Mr. Haydn to make these changes, so I determined now was the best time.”
She didn’t mention that Finn just told her to make whatever changes she deemed necessary, and he hadn’t actually known she was about to do this.
“That is all,” she smiled. “Thank you.”
Naomi turned on her heel and then left as quickly as she could manage gracefully. She didn’t stop until she reached her bedroom, where she flung herself down and cried.
CHAPTER TWENTY
For the first time in his life, Finn considered taking his mother’s approach to handling life’s problems. A bit of inebriated oblivion would be nice right now.
“Will you be going out this evening, sir?” his valet stood at the ready.
Finn frowned, “I haven’t gone out in the evening since I have been here, James. What would make you think I was going out tonight?”
“If you will allow me to say, sir, you seem a bit restless.”
“Restless,” he scoffed. “Why would I be restless?”
“I am sure I do not know, sir.”
“Thank you, James. I will not need you any more tonight. You may retire.”
James bowed, “Thank you.”
Finn could not deny the restlessness to himself. He had been so since he got the latest letter from Naomi. He was going to be a father. He pushed back the soft reminder that he already had a child and focused on the future.
Immediately, Finn wanted to go back to Selby to see his wife. After some deliberation, however, it seemed it would best for him to delay his visit. She was probably still furious about what he told her regarding the child in Ireland. Her letters had not reflected that, but letters were not always a clear communication of true feelings.
He pulled the letter from the pocket of his waistcoat. He carried it with him everywhere and read it whenever he was alone. He wished he had not told her to write less frequently. He missed the narratives of her days, the progression of the season about the house and gardens, and her comments on the staff. He even missed reading about what she had learned from Scripture.
James had been right about one thing. He was restless. Maybe an evening at the theater would be just what he needed. He called for his valet.
“Sorry to bother you, James, but I have changed my mind”
James’s brow gather in a question, “Changed your mind, sir?”
“Yes,” Finn tugged at his jacket to remove it. “I will be going out after all.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Naomi could hear the screaming before she reached the door of Diana’s suite. Missy had been walking beside her, but Naomi stopped her with a hand to the arm.
“Thank you, Missy.”
“But, Miss,” the maid protested leaving her, “I mean ma’am, she has been throwing things, and you aren’t in any condition to be dealing with that.”
Naomi shook her head, “I will be fine. Please go and ask Mr. Dillon to come up here, however. I may need his assistance on a related matter.”
Missy turned, wide-eyed, and ran to find the butler.
Naomi walked toward the door, praying for safety and patience.
“Mrs. Haydn,” she opened the door without knocking and looked about. “It seems you have terrified your maid.”
Diana’s eyes were bloodshot, and she had not changed her clothing for at least two days. Her hair had been styled at one time, but the pins were now dangling from the clumps that were straggling about her face.
“Get out,” she snarled in perfect imitation of a rabid dog.
Naomi prayed for strength.
“I said, get out!”
“Liz,” Naomi looked at the woman who was cowering in the corner, a cut on her temple. “You may leave. Please see Mrs. Hollingberry about your injury.”
Diana reached for the final glass upon the sideboard and held it above her head menacingly, “Don’t you move a muscle, Elizabeth. You are my maid, not hers.”
Liz’s lip began to tremble.
Naomi had a sudden inspiration. She reached for a vase that stood on a pedestal beside the door. It was quite ugly, but that did not mean it had no value.
“Put the glass down, Mrs. Haydn,” she held the vase in a position that mirrored the older woman’s.
Diana looked at Naomi and curled her lip in derision, “You think I care about that vase? I got it from my husband’s mother.”
“Liz,” Naomi spoke again, “you need to leave.”
Liz whimpered and moved like she was about to leave.
Diana prepared to hurl the heavy crystal at the maid, but she was stopped suddenly by an explosion in her own hand. She stumbled backward, trying to comprehend what had happened.
Liz tore from the room.
Naomi breathed deeply and flexed her fingers. She was relieved she was still able to target an object from that distance. It had been several years since she and her brother would try to knock apples out of the trees with rocks, but it seemed her aim was still good.
Diana stood in shock. Naomi walked to the combined shards of the glass and the vase. The vase had fared better, breaking only into three parts. There were no recognizable pieces of the glass. She took the hearth shovel and began scooping sharp fragments into it.
“What did you do?”
Naomi glanced up, “I stopped you.”
Diana sat down heavily.
Naomi continued to work. She was pleased when her mother-in-law went into her bedchamber and closed the door.
Naomi dropped the glass into the hod and left the suite. Mr. Dillon was standing outside the door.
“Has Liz been tended?” she hoped her voice wasn’t shaking as hard as her hands were.
He nodded, “Begging your pardon, ma’am, but what happened?”
She ignored the question, “I need to speak with Liz as soon as possible, and please send someone into Mrs. Haydn’s suite to clean the glass from the floor. The rug will likely need to be removed for cleaning, so I believe it would be in order to send two men in with a maid.”
He eyed her for a moment as if seeing her in a new light. She could not tell if the change was for the better.
“I will send Harland and Merle, ma’am. They are strong boys.”
She nodded and swept past him to find Liz. The girl was still in the kitchen, her face white.
“Might I have a private audience with Liz, please?” she addressed Mrs. Hollingberry.
The cook shooed her helpers from the kitchen.
“What happened?”
“You threw the vase at the missus,” Liz’s voice was filled with awe.
Naomi tamped down her amusement, “I am aware of what happened once I arrived. What happened prior to that?”
“Oh,” she took a sip of the tea the cook had provided. “She was looking for her gin. This is the first day she doesn’t have none left. She was mighty fractious yesterday because she couldn’t get enough to take care of her thirst.”
“Please,” Naomi prodded, “just today.”
“She started digging through all her cupboards, her drawers, hoping she had some hidden I think. Then she starts blaming me for drinking it.”
Naomi could well imagine.
“I don’t drinks, ma’am. I didn’t take a drop of it.”
“I believe you, Liz. Did she leave the suite?”
“She was about to,” Liz nodded, “but I told her it wouldn’t do no good because you had gotten rid of all the booze in the house. That’s when she started throwing things.”
“Why didn’t you leave right away?”
“I was trying to stop her at first.”
Naomi pointed to the court plaster on Liz’s head, “What hit you?”
“Just a little bit of glass.”
Judging from the size of the cut, Naomi assumed that was a lie, but she did not press.
“Are you willing to go back in there, or should I find somebody else?”
Liz’s eyes widened in terror.
Naomi rose, “I will find a replacement.”
Liz lurched to her feet, “No, ma’am! I’ll tend her. I need the position, ma’am.”
Naomi smiled, “I am not threatening your position, Liz. I am simply saying that you may need some time to recuperate before going back.”
“I don’t need no time,” she argued. “I can do it.”
Naomi was grateful. She did not know how to find someone to stay with the older Mrs. Haydn. Not only was Diana unlikely to accept someone she did not know, there were few who could tolerate the woman’s tongue. Add those problems to the glass throwing, and unearthing a willing maid would be impossible.
“The next few days will be the worst,” Naomi warned her.
Liz nodded, “I think she’ll be madder than a wet hen.”
“It is going to affect more than her attitude, I am afraid. She may have fits and see things that aren’t there.”
The maid’s eyes grew.
“She probably won’t want to eat anything, but we need to try to get her to eat anyway – especially if we can get some meat into her.”
“How do you know this?” the question was spoken softly.
Naomi wondered what was going through the maid’s head, “I asked the doctor about it when he was here last.”
“You’ve been thinking on this for a while.”
Naomi nodded.
“What do I do if she has fits or gets crazy?”
“You need to try to keep her safe. I want all the glass and sharp things out of her room. You’ll have to try to get those without her noticing.”
Liz nodded.
“We’ll have someone outside her suite for the next week. If Mrs. Hayden starts to do something to hurt herself or you, you need to yell for help.”
“What if something happens?”
Naomi frowned.
“Like she hurts herself and I can’t stop her?”
Naomi sighed, “I am going to pray it does not come to that. I trust you are going to do everything in your power to keep her calm.”
Naomi began walking toward the door, “You will need to go back to sit with her now. Do not worry about any cleaning. We will send a chamber maid in while Mrs. Haydn sleeps. I suggest you try to sleep at those times as well.”
Liz held her head high and went to fight the battle with her mistress.
Naomi went to visit Finn’s mother the following day just after breakfast. She was rocking back and forth, perched on the edge of a chair, wearing the same gown as the day before. Her fists were knotted so tightly in the skirt of her gown that her knuckles were white.
“How long as she been like this?” Naomi asked Liz who looked like she was about to fall over.
“I think she woke about midnight,” Liz blushed. “I had fallen asleep.”
Naomi felt a rush of compassion for the woman. She had been aiding Diana’s drunkenness and had supplied the woman with gossip about Finn, but she seemed like she truly cared for her mistress.
“I will stay with her for a time.”
Liz shook her head, “Oh, no, ma’am. I couldn’t think of it.”
Naomi took the other woman by the shoulders and turned her toward the door, “Sleep for an hour, change your dress, and get something to eat.”
Liz allowed herself to be shown from the room. Mr. Dillon stood at the door with a tray of food.
“Thank you,” she took the tray. “Liz is not to come back for at least two hours. Please see she is not disturbed in that time.”
Naomi brought the tray to Diana, “You will want to eat something.”
Diana did not respond but continued to rock.
Naomi lifted a spoonful of broth to the other woman’s lips and tipped some into her mouth.
Diana grimaced.
Naomi did it again. After about a third of the bowl, the older woman turned her head away and refused any more. Naomi was pleased she ate that much.
Diana eventually drifted to sleep. Naomi could not move her, but she lifted her feet onto an ottoman and covered her with a blanket.
Liz returned looking better.
“Perhaps you can sleep some yourself,” Naomi whispered. “The chamber maid has changed Mrs. Haydn’s sheets and dusted the room. I do not think more is necessary right now.”
The second day, Diana had a fever. She was in bed when Naomi arrived.
“She’s been jabbering about France most of the day,” Liz shrugged. “Sometimes in French.”
Naomi sat down with the tray of food and attempted to spoon some soup into Diana’s mouth. Mrs. Hollingberry had prepared a cream based soup this time.
From her position against the backboard of her bed, Diana reared up and sent the spoon flying. She grabbed at Naomi’s throat and brought their faces closer together.
“You did this,” she seethed. “You stole Lucian from me.”
Naomi wrestled herself from the other woman’s grasp and moved quickly from her reach.
“Mrs. Haydn, I’m Finn’s wife.”
The woman thrashed around in the bed, apparently trying to untangle herself from her sheets.
“I don’t care whose wife you are, you can’t have my husband.”
Naomi wondered if she would have to call for help.
“I’ll kill you before I let you take him.”
“Merle,” Naomi called out.
The man was beside her in seconds, “Ma’am?”
“Who is he?” Diana screeched and rose from the bed.
“He is just here to help,” Naomi prepared herself for the attack.
Diana took a step toward them, “I have had all the help I can bear.”
“Madam,” Merle pressed Naomi behind himself, his voice a warning.
Diana threw herself at the man, a flash of silver caught Naomi’s eye just as the man encased the older woman in his beefy arms.
Naomi’s heart was racing, “Does she have a knife?”
He couldn’t hear her over the animal-like screams coming from the woman he was attempting to restrain.
As quickly as it began, Diana drooped.
Merle dropped her to the floor and stepped back, “Is she. . .?”
Naomi stepped around him and peered down at the heap, “She’s breathing. I think she just passed out.�
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Merle picked the lady up and unceremoniously dumped her back into her bed before retrieving the knife as well.
“Thank you, Merle,” Naomi refused to laugh. “I think I can manage now.”
He bowed smartly and left the room, but Naomi noticed he left both sets of doors ajar.
The following day was much the same. Naomi had Harland and Merle take turns in the room. After the previous incident, she wanted a man in the sitting room at all times. Diana did not attack anybody, but she sat against her headboard, spewing threats against anyone who should dare to enter her room.
The patient was somnolent the fourth day of the experiment. Naomi sent Liz to sleep a few extra hours in her own rooms, choosing to sit with her mother-in-law herself rather than ask another maid to do so. By evening, she was up and screaming again. Naomi asked Mr. Dillon to lock the mistress in her bed chamber to protect Liz.
The fifth day after the removal of Diana Haydn’s alcohol was the worst.
On the fifth day after the removal of Diana Haydn’s alcohol, her son came home.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Finn was aware of a strange attitude among the staff upon his arrival. They seemed more cautious than before. He wondered if they were discussing among themselves his relationship with his wife. If they were, they likely found in Naomi’s favor.
“What news have you, Dillon?” he handed the man his greatcoat.
“The ewes have dropped, and we have a goodly number of healthy lambs.”
Finn could tell the man was avoiding something, “And here in the house?”
“I believe your wife has found some new ways of economy.”
“Oh?” Finn hoped she was not scrimping in areas that she should not.
“And she has changed the method by which we receive deliveries,” he added.
Finn narrowed his eyes, “I was unaware that there were problems with the old method.”
“Neither were we, but her technique will cut out some aggravation. We have only implemented the change once, but it looks to be a good one.”
Finn chewed the inside of his cheek, pondering how best to drag more information from the man who clearly wished to remain tight-lipped about it.
Finally, Finn decided it would be best to go to the source, “Do you know where my wife is, Dillon?”
