Bessie

by Jackie Ivie

  “I want you to know she is everything you said. Meeting her was a very rewarding experience. You are a fool. And now, I shall take the third option and leave.”

  James turned and rushed out. Alicia cried aloud. Henry was still gasping. Bessie couldn’t hear Devon’s reaction, or even if he had one. She pushed her chair out and stood on such shaky legs, she had to hold to the table.

  “I believe I’ll...go to my chamber. I’ve quite lost my appetite.”

  “I am joining you.”

  “There is no need, Alicia.”

  “Oh. I’ve quite lost my appetite, too. Good eve, Devon, Henry. Olivia.”

  “I believe I’ll come, too.”

  Bess moved away from the table, holding her skirts with both hands. She concentrated on her steps. Kept them even. Controlled. Oh! How she longed to run! Alicia appeared at one side of her, Olivia was right behind. The steps to her tower chamber loomed. No one spoke as they climbed.

  Roberta looked up in surprise as the door opened. She was settled comfortably on a settee, her back propped on cushions. If Devon thought the redhead an employee Bessie should sack, there was no telling what he’d think of Roberta’s familiar ways.

  “How dare you?” Alicia didn’t even wait for the door to close before screeching the question. “I’ve kept my peace, and this is how you repay it? By playing one brother against the other? It’s absolutely disgusting. What did you hope to gain? Bloodshed?”

  “She’s doing what...with whom? Over what?” Olivia looked from Alicia to Bessie and back.

  “I didn’t do anything,” Bess finally answered.

  “He said it was a rewarding experience. I am not naive! I know exactly what James meant. How dare you?”

  Alicia was trembling and had her hands in fists. She could compete with Devon for intensity. Bessie should have known those were family traits, as well.

  “Why are you saying such things? She’s just had to listen and act like it was nothing, and then you accost her in her own rooms? What’s gotten into you, Alicia?”

  “It’s obvious Olivia doesn’t know. Is that supposed to make me feel special? Well, I don’t. I feel like an accomplice in a filthy scheme. I don’t like it. I don’t like it, at all!” Alicia announced.

  “I don’t know what?”

  Bessie sighed. Roberta shuffled to her feet, smoothing the fabric where she’d lain. “Is something amiss, my lady?” she asked.

  “James spoke of the redheaded woman at sup,” Bess informed her.

  “Oh. My. I told you this would be nothing but trouble.”

  “There is no trouble. It’s a misunderstanding.”

  “A misunderstanding? I was there, remember?”

  “There won’t be bloodshed, Alicia. Why would there be? Devon threw me over just as James said. For his wife.”

  “Isn’t that what you wanted?”

  “Before he got back his inquiry, and then had me read it! Oh! How could he be inquiring of my wealth while pursuing another woman at the same time? I can’t believe his duplicity.”

  “His duplicity? His? Haven’t we forgotten just who is playing at being two, here?”

  “When I want you to crow, Roberta, I’ll let you know.”

  “Does your servant always speak to you this way?” Olivia asked. “I’d not keep her on if it was me.”

  “She is usually worse. But I adore her, anyway. Isn’t that right, Roberta?”

  “I may need that in writing, love. I’d like it to show Augusta.”

  Olivia’s eyes widened. Alicia stepped closer, gaining Bessie’s attention again.

  “Will you please explain what James meant, then?” Alicia asked.

  “Devon has found out how wealthy I am. That is why he doesn’t want anything to do with her anymore at the moment. He wants me.”

  “So?”

  “I don’t want him to want me for my money!”

  “How do you know that’s the reason?”

  “Because he had me read the scroll that says so!”

  “Why do I not understand a word of this? What’s going on? And, why is everyone ignoring me?”

  “I’m not, although I’d be well within my rights to, young lady,” Roberta informed her.

  Olivia’s mouth fell open to the same width as her eyes. Bessie glanced at her, and then returned her attention to Alicia.

  “I’ve seen him around you. He cares for you. I know he does.”

  “It is an act. And I admit. He’s very good.”

  “What makes you so sure?”

  “James told me so.”

  “See? You were with James!”

  “I did not deny it.”

  “She was with James? But, I thought...wait. I don’t understand a thing!”

  “It’s all right, dear. You are not the lone one. Come, sit a spell.” Roberta was sitting back on the settee. She patted the area beside her invitingly.

  “I don’t deny it because I’ve nothing to hide. I did nothing with James.”

  “Then, why did he speak as if you had?”

  “As if she’d done what? What is going on? I’ll not ask it again, either.”

  “I think James said it...to see if Devon cared.”

  “Well, it worked.”

  “It did not. Devon wasn’t the least bit disturbed by anything James said.”

  “Oh. You may love him, but you’ve not lived with him as long as I have. Trust me. He was jealous. Why do you think James escaped?”

  “You love him? Wait. I thought that Devon was forced to wed with you. I thought you were forced, too. I don’t understand anything.”

  “It is a fairly long story, Miss Olivia. Are you certain you wouldn’t like to sit a spell? It may take some time to sort through this properly.”

  Olivia dropped onto the settee beside Roberta.

  “You really think he was jealous?” Bessie asked.

  “That’s why James ran.”

  “Oh, if only that were true! How much I’d give if Devon loved the redhead!”

  “Now, wait. You wish he’d chosen the redhead? Is that what I’m hearing? You have done crossed the line now, my lady. Mark my words. This is worse than the wig idea. I have listened, and helped, and kept my silence, and for what? So, you can change what you want once you get it? What kind of foolishness is this? I’m of a mind to march right into his rooms to inform him of the truth. I am.”

  “That will ruin everything. Don’t you see?” Alicia spoke.

  “I have been in this fog for days now. How am I supposed to see through it? And, wait a moment here. Weren’t you the lass telling me he had to choose the wife?”

  “If he tossed the redhead over for his wife because he loves his wife, that’s an entirely different thing than if he did it because his wife has deep pockets. It is not that hard to understand. I am clear on it. I just want to know what happened with James.”

  Alicia punctuated her words by walking to the dressing stool, plopping onto it, and then crossing her arms. Bessie sighed.

  “James found me this afternoon after I ran from Devon. I wasn’t looking for anyone. I was...hiding.”

  “She was sobbing her eyes out. I should know. I had to repair the damage. It took most of my lemon cream, too. I’ll have to ask Augusta and Regina to cook up some more.”

  “I get it! She’s the redhead. You are, aren’t you? Don’t look at me like that. I’m not stupid. So, take off your covering and let me see.”

  Bess unfastened her headdress and pulled it forward, holding it for a moment before dropping it on the bed. Olivia’s expression was gratifying, although Bessie knew the skin about her eyes was still swollen. Every blink was a reminder.

  “I don’t see what all the fuss is about,” Olivia finally said.

  “The lemon must not have worked. Let me see. I should have tried Augusta’s new salve.”

  “I look the same as always, Roberta. It’s simply difficult to show well in comparison to any members of this family. Olivia is just pointing out the obviou
s.”

  “You’ve got James enraptured,” Alicia said, quietly.

  “No, I don’t. And no, he’s not. He told me of his lost love. That is what really happened earlier.”

  “Oh. My. I didn’t know he still cared about it. He doesn’t let on to anyone. That must mean he really did speak as he did to get a reaction from Devon.”

  “Exactly as I said,” Bessie replied.

  “You’ve got to stay away from him now. Who knows what he might try next.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I have sentenced myself to living behind a veil. For life. James will never see me again. No one will.” Bessie tried to keep her voice from reflecting the despair. She failed.

  “What? Oh no, my lady! I don’t care if you do sack me! I’m for telling that man the truth before I let that happen.”

  “And then what, Roberta?”

  “You live as man and wife. What else?”

  “No. Then I will forever wonder who my husband is seeing behind my back. What woman is tempting his interest? Which one is receiving his kisses? His words of love? I already know it won’t be his wife. He only wants her right now...because he just found out the extent of her wealth and the condition for keeping it. He has to beget an heir. Oh, it sounds even worse when spoken! You see now? All of you? That is the reason he tossed over the redhead today. That is what I will get. And that is why I prefer my weeds.”

  There was a long silence. Bessie scuffed her hands across her face, swiping at an errant tear. And then she sniffed. She should have been mortified. She wasn’t. She was drained. Depressed. Depleted. She sat on the bed beside her discarded weeds and worked at stopping any further emotion.

  Alicia finally broke the silence. “There is one thing we can try.”

  “I am afraid to ask,” Roberta proffered.

  “You could be the redhead again.”

  “Oh, dear. Oh, heavens. Now both of you have lost your senses.”

  “How else will she ever know?” Alicia asked.

  “Know what?”

  “That he loves her!”

  “Why is that so important?” Olivia asked. “And what man would be so stupid? He married an heiress. He has security. It’s what he wanted. And desperately needed! So, he has to beget heirs now. What married couple doesn’t need to do that? Who cares what she looks like? Or how long his attention lasts?”

  “I have to admit she is right, Bess.”

  Bessie would have answered the maid, but Alicia did it for her.

  “No. She’s wrong. Love is the only thing of value in this world. Don’t listen to her, Bess.”

  “You are his sister and you can’t see it?” Roberta asked.

  “See what?”

  Alicia was aggressive in her stance and the tone of her question. When she cared about something, she was passionate and eloquent. Bess was taken aback. Olivia was showing signs of surprise, too. Bess had already pegged Sir Geoffrey for Alicia. They’d be an astounding pair. It was going to be one of the highlights of the gala when they were introduced.

  “This love thing you speak of. ’Tis warm. Wondrous. A fine thing to dream of. It’s not real. I wish it was. Life would certainly be sweeter.”

  “I don’t even like the sound of that,” Olivia answered.

  “Think it through, girls. Please? The man has all of you to provide for. He is the responsible sort. Would you have him any other way? Lord Hildebrand cannot possibly toss that all away. Please don’t do this, Bess. Please?”

  “Can’t you have one bone of hope in your body, Roberta?”

  “You are setting him up for a bigger fall than he’s already taken. You are going to fall, too. It will be worse than today. It will.”

  “She doesn’t have to go that far. He just needs to speak of love. Will that work?”

  “It might.” A feeling of hope colored her voice. She didn’t hide it.

  Roberta was still shaking her head.

  “Now what? I won’t let him get into too much trouble. I promise.”

  “He is already in trouble. He just doesn’t know it yet. I feel sorry for the poor lad...and an hour ago I was ready to draw and quarter him.”

  “One more thing,” Olivia said. “You will need to dismiss all the servant women.”

  “Smite your tongue!” Roberta swiveled toward Olivia.

  “Why would I want to do that?”

  “Only the redheaded ones. You want to stand out. Don’t you?”

  “Ah. Words of wisdom. Finally. I’ve had a gullet-full of this thing. The only one of us who likes the wig is Augusta, and that’s only because of Lymon. He says it’s like going to bed with a new woman.” The maid pulled the wig off as she spoke and patted her own graying hair.

  “I don’t want to hear another word about Augusta and her husband, Roberta. I can’t tell you oft enough. And you are shocking the girls.”

  “They are wearing wigs? Oh! That’s so simple! I am embarrassed I didn’t realize it,” Alicia said.

  “Can I toss it, then?”

  “In the nearest dust bin.”

  “Oh, thank you, Bess! There is a good part to this new plot.”

  “Now. Olivia. I want your promise,” Alicia turned toward her sister.

  “Of what?”

  “You’re not to go telling Devon anything.”

  “Why would I want to do that? He’s the all-knowing, all-seeing, always-right eldest brother. Why would I let him know anything? This is going to make supper enjoyable. Wait. This is Henry’s problem, isn’t it? You told him first.”

  “Actually, it was Will. Why do you think I sent him to Stansbury?”

  “Will would keep the secret. Regina won’t. She can’t keep anything quiet.”

  “But, you will?” Alicia prompted.

  “What will I get if I do?”

  “You’ll get to attend the masque in three days time, and not be left here with Lizzy. That’s what. Sometimes I cannot believe we are related.”

  Olivia looked from Alicia to Bessie to Roberta and back to Alicia before finally nodding.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  “I cannot wear that one.”

  “Why not? It’s serviceable and plain.”

  “I wore it to sup the first night, Roberta. I’m almost positive.”

  “Augusta?”

  “Here. Try the velvet one,” the larger servant woman answered.

  “I can’t wear that one, either. He’s seen it.”

  “Is there anything he hasn’t seen?” Roberta queried.

  “Isn’t there something new and different? Plain, yet nice?”

  “You wish us to invent new fashion?”

  “No. I just want one that’s understated, yet elegant.”

  “You have lots of gowns like that.”

  “It has to also look like it belongs to a servant.”

  “Well. That does present a problem. You’ve never ordered anything to look like a servant. I can’t say anyone else in the nobility has, either. How about the green? Maybe if we took the linen from the slashes and chopped the lace from the neckline…? Oh! Forget I offered. That would make it too revealing.”

  “Really? Let me see.”

  “You want it revealing now?” Roberta continued.

  “Not especially...but I don’t want it concealing, either.”

  “Then why wear an apron over it? She makes no sense, Augusta. I’ve been saying it for days now. She’s weeding out petticoats and necessary under-things in order to wear less...then putting an apron over the whole.”

  “I don’t want it to look like I’m trying to get his notice.”

  “Ignoring you will not be the problem. I just hope you can handle the man once he figures what you’re about.”

  “You’ve already lectured me on that, remember? It was the night of the joust and naught came of it.”

  “You were wearing more.”

  “I can’t wear the green, Augusta. It’s too elegant, even without the lace collar.”

  “But it’s perfect w
ith your coloring.”

  “Is it possible to make it look less expensive?”

  “I am doing my best, my lady.”

  “What else do I have in there, Roberta?”

  The maid turned and put her hands on her hips. “You know every gown in this dressing room. You ordered them, remember?”

  “What’s in your closet, then?”

  “Plenty. And all of it two times your size. That much I’m certain of.”

  “Oh, bother!”

  “Try the green.”

  “I’ve worn it before.”

  “You may have, but the poor man won’t know the difference. It had a stiffened collar about the neckline and white linen poking from all the slashes before. Besides, what makes you think he’s an expert of ladies fashion?”

  “I can’t risk it at this stage.”

  “You might chance it. He may not recall which lady you were at the time, Bess. I can’t even recall and I know what’s going on.”

  “Perhaps you’re right.”

  “No perhaps about it, my lady. Besides, if you’re intent on seduction, he’ll not notice much what you’re wearing.”

  “I never said that. I never even implied it.”

  “She’s right. She didn’t,” Augusta said from the dressing table where she was busily hacking off lace.

  “Then why is she so insistent on wearing no under-things?”

  “I am wearing my chemise,” Bess pointed out.

  “What of your petticoats? And stockings, then?”

  “I’m supposed to be a servant woman, remember?”

  “Well. Both Augusta and I are servant women, and we wear under-things. Several layers. I believe Augusta thinks it hides her bulk.”

  “I’m trying to keep my Lymon away.”

  “Enough! I don’t wish to hear of what you and Lymon are capable of!” Bess interrupted.

  “She thinks this love-stuff is strictly for the young.”

  “At her age, we did, too.”

  “Yes. We did, didn’t we?”

  “Will you two please help me? I can’t wear the blue one. I think I was in this when we first arrived at Hilde. Why can’t I find what I’m looking for?”