“There,” Georgina said, nodding. “We will be safe there for the moment.”
“I’m hungry,” Tom said, shaking out his cloak.
Georgina sighed, and put Helena down, who immediately groused about wanting to be picked up again. Thankfully, Joseph and Jacob had already started shifting some bales, as best they were able, into something resembling a hideaway amongst the stable. “I have a little food.”
“Come on,” Joseph said, gesturing for Tom and Helena to come and sit.
They did, following the twins into settling down in the bales, and forming a little circle to keep themselves warm. The rain was coming down heavily outside, and though the barn did not seem to be leaking, the wide-open doors did not keep the heat in. It was not a permanent solution, and they could not rest here indefinitely, but for now, it would do.
“Let’s get something to eat, shall we?” Georgina asked with a bright smile, relishing the cheers of her siblings as she took some food out of her bag.
Chapter 3
Rescue
Three days later, they were running out of food and Georgina was getting desperate. The boys had started grumbling, even Jacob demanding they leave soon and find somewhere to stay. The rain had stopped, but frost had set in, and Helena had a bad cough that would only get worse.
Georgina was cradling her now, tucking her sister’s head beneath her chin and sweeping her eyes across the boys. There had been a couple of farmers moving amongst the cattle and they had been forced to hide, but right now, the twins and Tom were dancing around the cattle, who seemed indifferent to their presence.
“Jacob!”
Poking his head into the stable, Jacob said, “yes?”
“I have a very important job for you boys,” Georgina said, as Helena shook with another cough, curling a fist into Georgina’s dress. Another thing that Georgina wished she could change; they hadn’t been able to change clothes, and though they had managed to clean themselves in the trough of fresh water—not something she ever wished to do again—they had been forced to put on dirty clothes.
“Of course,” Jacob said immediately. He called for Joseph and Tom to come inside, and once they were all in front of her, Georgina tilted her head, trying to look braver than she felt.
“I need for you to go a few fields over and see if there’s anywhere we can stay. We need help for your sister, and food and somewhere warm to sleep for ourselves.”
The boys looked at each other, uncertain.
“It is perfectly fine to be scared,” Georgina said. “If you notice anybody, or somebody tries to call for you, you come back here immediately, understand me?”
“Yes, Georgina,” Jacob said. Then, to his brothers, he said, “Let’s get out of here.”
Georgina watched the three of them race out of the stable, watching them until they disappeared. Helena was almost asleep, breath harsh and rattling in her chest, and Georgina prayed she stayed that way until their brothers returned. It caused her pain to have to send them away, worrying about whether they were safe or in trouble, and she hated that she would not know if they needed her. There was no other recourse. If she left them in charge of Helena, it would be the same thing. This way, they were faster than she was, and could dance their way out of danger better than she.
It was difficult to gauge time passing in the stable, so Georgina couldn’t say how long it had been before there was the sound of shouts heading towards the stable. Georgina was immediately terrified, and though Helena had managed to fall into a fitful sleep, she woke her by shuffling backwards into the bales, trying to hide herself.
“Georgina!”
It sounded a lot like Jacob and though he was not in distress, Georgina left Helena against the bales, shivering and whining for her not to leave. When she stepped out, Georgina could see Jacob and Joseph racing across the field, but there was no sign of Tom. Panic seized Georgina’s breast, but as Jacob skidded into the barn, he did not look panicked.
In fact, he looked pleased. “We have found a big house, Georgina. It was huge and there were so many people and horses! They’ve said it’s okay to stay and they’ve taken Tom in for a bath and some food.”
Georgina did not know what to say about the offer, though the description of a big house did not reveal much about the owner. “Very well,” she said reluctantly. “I shall speak to these people for myself.”
Helena settled against her almost as soon as she was back in Georgina’s arms, and even with Georgina’s cloak and her own wrapped around her, she was still shivering. Whoever these people were, they could only be safer to stay with than Red, and Helena needed care, no matter who it came from.
As the boys led her across a couple of fields, alternately racing ahead and then coming back, they seemed giddy and pleased, so Georgina’s panic receded a little beneath a calm exterior she had been trying to maintain for their sake.
The house the boys had been discussing appeared below the crest of the next field and oh, Georgina realized quickly why the boys had been so impressed. She knew of the estate of course, as everyone in the towns did, but she had never seen Norham Estate for herself.
The duke was a busy man, and though he often passed through town, Georgina had never sighted him for herself. Though she had never wanted to before, aware as everyone else of his propensity towards women and drink. Still, it was a safe place to stay, and if they were as welcoming as the boys had said, Georgina doubted she would have to meet the duke at all.
As they approached the house, the boys took her around the side, towards a smaller entrance, which Georgina assumed was the staff entrance, and as the boys raced up to the door, it opened, and Georgina was greeted by a young maid with a red face, as if she had been running.
“Miss,” the maid said, bobbing her head.
“I’m not,” Georgina started, and then shook it off. “My brothers told me you might be able to help?”
“Of course,” the maid said, gesturing for them to come into the house.
As soon as Georgina crossed the threshold, the warmth hit her and she breathed a sigh of relief, shifting Helena’s dead weight in her arms. Back asleep, Helena’s face was white and sallow, and Georgina pressed a kiss to Helena’s forehead.
“Is there somewhere for her?”
“This way,” the maid said, leading the way through the staff corridors. “We have your son already.”
“My brother,” Georgina corrected gently. “Is he well?”
“Warm and fed,” the maid said with a kind smile. “Has a smile now.”
Georgina nodded, the maid taking them up through a staircase that Georgina assumed led to the staff quarters. She was surprised when the maid took them out into a hall that was wide and luxurious. It was obviously part of the house, and Georgina did not know what to say when the maid knocked on the door of one of the rooms.
“Come in!” A voice called.
The maid ducked her head respectfully as she entered, gesturing for Georgina, Jacob, and Joseph to follow.
“Ah,” a woman said, standing up from around a small table. “Welcome to Norham Manor.”
Chapter 4
Luxury and Lothario
“Your Grace,” Georgina said, curtseying as best she could with Helena.
The woman was tall and beautiful, her dress of the kind that Georgina had always longed to own for herself. Hair tied up intricately, the woman clasped her hands together and gave Georgina a bright smile. “My Lady if you must stand on ceremony, but I would prefer it if you address me as Catherine.”
It was difficult enough to think of her that way, so Georgina flushed. “Lady Catherine,” she said instead. “I thought perhaps we would stay in the kitchens or just somewhere–”
“Nonsense,” Catherine said, waving Georgina off. “Now, let us have a look at this little one, shall we?”
She approached carefully, but Georgina willingly handed Helena off, worried enough for her sister to trust Catherine had her best interests in mind. It was then Ge
orgina noticed an older woman in the corner of the room, currently making sure Tom was dressed in clean clothes. His hair was wet, and he looked happier than he had in the last couple of days.
“Georgina!” He raced over, hugging Georgina’s legs. She returned the hug quickly, happy to see him warm. “Are you going to get warm now too?”
“Hang on,” Georgina said with a smile. As she looked back up at Catherine, she could feel the blush returning to her face. “Jacob and Joseph?”
Georgina realized too late that her brothers hadn’t followed. Catherine waved a hand gently.
“I have had Emma take them to get them washed and warm and get some food in them. Would you like the same?”
“I could not ask,” Georgina started.
“It is quite alright,” Catherine said gently. She was brushing a hand against Helena’s forehead, but she was staring Georgina in the eye as she spoke. Georgina appreciated it, and Catherine’s candor. “I will call for a doctor and make sure this one will get better as soon as possible. I will have Mrs. Turner show you to the wash basin and help you find some clean clothes and where to get some food. Some of Laura’s old clothing should do it, Mrs. Turner?”
“Of course, my Lady,” the elderly woman said. She looked just as kind and warm as Catherine, and Georgina found the tension leaving her body almost immediately. Being able to wash and dress in clean clothes and get some food in her stomach sounded like a great idea.
“I hope we’re not a burden,” Georgina said quietly.
Catherine shook her head, resting her free hand on Georgina’s arm. “I have two children of my own, who have been away at school for quite some time. It is pleasant to have children in the house again. I can assure you, this is no burden. Though,” she added, when Georgina let out a soft noise. “I would like to know how you came to be out in the grounds in the first place?”
Georgina was terrified. She could not confess everything to Lady Catherine, even if she felt at ease in her presence, for fear that word would get back to her uncle and they would be found. Perhaps while she was changing, she could figure out something to say that would not bring suspicion upon her and her family.
Mrs. Turner showed her to another room on the same hallway, this one smaller but with a wash basin, and disappeared through another door to an adjoining room. Catherine started to fill the basin with the jug of water resting on the dresser, startled by Mrs. Turner bustling back in with a dress. It was as beautiful as the one Catherine had been wearing and Georgina almost wanted to refuse, but Mrs. Turner was already disappearing through the door.
Georgina took her time with washing and attempting to feel human once again. She hadn’t realized how dirty and tired she had been feeling until she had changed into the new dress and got a good look at herself in the mirror. She ran her hands over her face in a fresh bowl of water and dried off, wanting to lie in the nearest bed and sleep.
She had siblings to see to, however, and forced herself to abandon the basin, making sure to find someone and let them know she was done with washing.
Mrs. Turner was in the hallway herding Joseph and Jacob towards her, and both ran up, dressed in clothes more expensive than their clothes at home combined, and Georgina bent to receive their hugs. It had been a long time since they had done so, feeling themselves too old for such things. When they pulled apart, Georgina straightened out her dress. “I am done with the basin, Mrs. Turner. Thank you.”
“Not at all,” Mrs. Turner said. “Lady Catherine has the doctor in with your sister, Miss.”
Barely any time had passed, and Georgina marveled at how quickly the doctor arrived at the manor compared to one who had seen to her family back in town. She knew that money bought wonderful things, but the idea that her sister could get help much faster than back home was a sobering thought.
“I would like to see her as soon as is acceptable.”
“Of course.” Mrs. Turner clapped her hands together. “Now, let’s get you some food, Miss, and your brothers something to do.”
Food sounded like the best thing to Georgina, and she followed Mrs. Turner back down to the kitchens, where Tom had retreated with the maid, Emma, and was currently sitting at the table, legs swinging back and forth as Emma worked some dough.
“Mrs. Turner,” Emma said. “I was helping Cook get started on dinner.”
“Excellent,” Mrs. Turner said. She nodded toward the table, gesturing for Georgina to take a seat. “I’ll get something to eat from Cook for you. Your boys can help with dinner, I’m sure.”
It was more than Georgina could have hoped for them, and she watched silently as Emma and Cook, who was an elderly gentleman and apparently Mr. Turner as well, gave the boys easy tasks to do to help with the dinner. Everyone on the staff, and Lady Catherine, had been so nice, and it was completely at odds with everything Georgina had heard about the family.
Thankfully, as she ate the small plate of cheese and bread prepared for her, Georgina thought of confessing that her brother had been killed in an accident, and thus they had been thrown out of their home. It said enough without being descriptive and gave Georgina the time she needed to work out where to go from here.
Staying at the house for a prolonged period was out of the question, but perhaps they would be willing to give Georgina a recommendation of somewhere to stay in the meantime.
When Mrs. Turner returned to the kitchens, she looked pleased. “The doctor has good news. Your sister should make a full recovery, though she should rest in the meantime. Lady Catherine requests your presence in the bedroom.”
“Of course,” Georgina said, though she hesitated when her brothers were still preoccupied with the dinner preparations.
Mrs. Turner laughed gently. “Not to worry about them, Miss. We’ll watch ‘em for you.”
“Thank you so much.” Georgina bowed her head once and left for the stairs, hopeful that she would find her way back to the hall. As she burst out onto the landing, she was startled when she ran—almost literally—into a handsome gentleman with an aristocratic air.
Chapter 5
Meeting of Unlike Minds
Samuel Willingham, Duke of Norham, was accustomed to having strangers in his home. Either through parties he had thrown, or with wanderers getting lost in the snow and seeking shelter.
He did not like to make a habit of inviting them in, but he had grown a reputation for it nonetheless, mostly thanks to his sister, Catherine, and her propensity for waifs and strays.
Though he hadn’t been informed officially, Norham knew there were people in his home. He could hear the feet of children—and their high voices—as soon as they entered, and though he was accustomed to Catherine’s children, he was sure they had been sent to school months ago. It was too early for them to be back, and though Catherine had been at him to bring them back to the estate and hire a governess, he doubted she would have gone behind his back.
As independent as she was at times, she was far too trusting of him for her to do so.
Norham was just finishing up some estate business with his manager, Edward, when the door knocker sounded.
“If that’s everything,” Edward said, looking back over his shoulder. I’ll take my leave.”
“Of course,” Norham said. He waited until Edward had disappeared out of his study and went to the window when he spotted the carriage the Doctor usually arrived in. Catherine hadn’t mentioned anything about feeling unwell, and when Norham pushed through to the main hall, he could see Mrs. Turner leading the doctor—and two young boys—up the stairs towards the first floor. Norham decided to follow, intent on finding out from his sister what was going on. Waiting until he saw Mrs. Turner and the boys head further down the hall, Norham entered the small nursery Catherine’s children once shared, and was surprised to see his sister hovering over the bed where the Doctor was currently examining a young girl.
“Catherine,” Norham said, trying to keep the irritation from his voice. “What is going on here?”
&
nbsp; Catherine sighed, but turned to him, her expression stormy. “Some children arrived at the servants’ quarters this morning, cold and hungry. They informed Mrs. Turner that their sisters were sick and needed aid.”
“I see one child,” Norham said.
“Indeed,” Catherine said, her expression easing into a smile. “The other sister is my age, and not sick at all. Perhaps something got lost in translation. Nevertheless, this sister is sick, and I promised I would call the doctor.”
“On our money?” Norham was not the kind to be so stringent with the purse strings, and Catherine’s judgmental expression was a testament to that. “You know what I mean.”
“They needed aid,” Catherine told him. She looked back over her shoulder, making sure the doctor was still focused on the girl. “We were in a position to offer it, and so I did.”
Norham could not fault her for that, though part of him wanted to. Catherine’s mention of a woman her age in the house, however, had definitely caught his interest, though if she realized it, Catherine made no mention of it. “Are they to join us for long?”
Catherine frowned. “I asked the elder sister to tell me why they were even out there in the first place, but she has yet to return from washing and eating. As soon as the doctor is finished with the little one, I will go and find her.”
“Indeed,” Norham said. “Well, if they have not yet had their fill of the kitchens, show them a couple of rooms, though I don’t want them to be underfoot for too long.”
“Of course, brother,” Catherine said with a smile, and she only ever used that moniker for him when she wanted something more. Norham thought it wise not to say anything about it and turned on his heel to leave the bedroom.
It was nearing the next hour when he returned, the doctor not yet having come back downstairs, though he was coming out of the bedroom when Norham approached, Mrs. Turner assuring Catherine she would have the young lady come right up. The doctor tipped his hat, and Norham gestured down the stairs.
“I’ll have you reimbursed over the next few days, doctor.”
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