In My Lady's Chamber

by Laura Matthews

  The maid she shared with the girls had left her nightdress on the bed and set the warming pan by the fire. Really, she thought, as she released her long brown hair from the pins which held it atop her head, there could be nothing more pleasant than being a member of the Heythrop household, practically treated as one of the family and having something useful to do in addition. Well, almost nothing as pleasant. One could have been mistress of one’s own household . . .

  Her thoughts were drawn up abruptly and she stood by the fire to remove her beige round dress, its plainness alleviated by a plaiting of peach-colored satin ribbon which the girls had urged her to buy in the village. As she slipped the flannel nightdress over her head, curiosity about the documents drew her over to the stand and she could not resist beginning to read the account of the treasure. Puzzled, she thumbed through the sheets, a small frown gathering on her forehead. A hesitant knock at her door startled her.

  “Who is it?"

  There was a slight pause. “Edward.”

  “Just a moment, please.” Miss Tremere hastily donned a dressing gown which was folded over a ladder-back chair near the wash-hand stand, but she did not retrieve her candle to take with her to the door.

  Lord Heythrop stood rather awkwardly in the hall, as though he had thought better of his mission but could find no way now to retreat. He had disposed of the poker but the candle he carried threw its meager light on her released tresses and night clothing. “I beg your pardon! I never thought you’d have . . . That is, it’s been only a few minutes . . . I won’t disturb you.”

  “If it is a matter of importance . . ."

  “No, no, nothing which cannot wait until the morning, I assure you.” In an effort to regain his composure, Lord Heythrop tugged at his cravat, managing only to ruin the lay of its folds. Desperately he assumed the stiff stance which his brothers and sisters had come to know so well since their father’s departure for America, and said in a toneless voice, “My family keeps rather voluminous records of previous generations in the archive room. As a rule there is nothing particularly personal or private about these papers, but you can understand that having a complete set of records—as complete as it is—proved invaluable to each succeeding generation of Heythrops. There are records of births and deaths, old account books, family Bibles, any number of things. Therefore it has always been the practice at Charton Court never to remove anything from that room, on the slight chance that an item might be mislaid. I’m sure you can understand the efficacy of such a policy.”

  "Certainly."

  When she said nothing further, he cleared his throat. "The fact of the matter is, Miss Tremere, that my mother should not have allowed anything to leave the room. I don’t blame you! You could not have been aware of that unwritten rule. Perhaps my mother is not aware of it. But I am entrusted with the safekeeping of all that is in Charton Court in my father’s absence, and I should be remiss in my duties if I permitted such a breach of security.”

  "Yes I do see that,” Theodosia mused, regarding him gravely. "And I feel that I should perhaps just tell you that the papers I brought to my room are not complete.”

  Startled, he asked, “What do you mean?”

  “I took away the ninth earl’s account of the treasure and it states most definitely that there is attached a letter from the first earl which is supposed to provide a clue as to the location and meaning of the mystery. There is nothing whatsoever attached to his account!”

  Poor Edward was struck dumb. A dozen thoughts ran through his mind, not the least of them being the question of why Miss Tremere should have taken such papers from the archive room, but what he at length blurted was: “You must be mistaken.”

  “I assure you I am not. The ninth earl’s account is apparently complete, though I have not finished reading it. Lady Eastwick also had me take an old map and a more current one to study. They seem quite in order. What is missing is the first earl’s letter.”

  “That’s impossible,” he stated bluntly, his brows lowering with annoyance. “I myself have read the first earl’s letter. Father showed it to me years ago. It was a poem of sorts, which no one in the family had been able to unravel as an explanation of where the treasure was.”

  Miss Tremere silently walked to the stand, picked up the papers and brought them to him. “As you can see, it is not here, Lord Heythrop.”

  Edward went through the papers three times. His chagrin, his frustration, found outlet in a not entirely illogical way. Belligerent, he demanded, "Tell me, Miss Tremere, why were you reading these papers about the treasure in the first place?”

  Casting an unconcealed glance at her dressing gown, Miss Tremere suggested, "Perhaps we could discuss that in the morning, Lord Heythrop.”

  “Of course!” Edward backed away from her, apologetic, but still with an effort to maintain control of the situation. “If you will come to my office . . . my father’s office . . . in the morning, we can speak there.”

  “Very well, Lord Heythrop. I shall wait on you in the morning.”

  As she turned back into the room he murmured, “Good night, Miss Tremere.”

  “Good night, Lord Heythrop.” She closed the door gently, a rueful smile playing about her lips. After a quick pass of the warming pan between the sheets, she climbed into the bed and promptly fell asleep.

  Chapter Two

  Owing to the early hours they kept, the Charton Court household were also early risers. By her own request, Theodosia Tremere had her morning chocolate brought to her room shortly after seven, where she allowed herself the luxury of sipping it slowly in bed while she made notes in her journal of her plans for the day in instructing her charges. Though turned seventeen, Charlotte was still considered a member of the schoolroom, a circumstance which caused her no annoyance since she was fond of Miss Tremere. At thirteen Eleanor showed little promise of scholarship, but her ability in watercolors and any form of needlework was admirable. Surprisingly, it was Amy, at the tender age of seven, who required Theodosia’s most particular care. The child had a quickness of mind and a retentiveness of memory the like of which Theodosia (as well as Amy’s family) had never seen.

  Her notes completed, Theodosia put aside her journal. Although the younger boys were home from Eton and wandered in and out of the schoolroom at will, they were not ostensibly included in her lessons. It was summer, after all, and the poor, hard-working male scholars needed this break from their grueling schedule. Or so they said. Theodosia found little difficulty in gaining their interest in contemporary literature, a subject wholly neglected by their curriculum. Afternoons would often find all five children sprawled in various positions of disarray about the sun-drenched topiary and gardens, indulging in their favorite pastimes of reading or drawing; and if they found themselves reading something Miss Tremere had suggested—well, by Jove, she knew just what a fellow would enjoy.

  In honor of the start of her scheme, Theodosia donned a sky-blue jaconet walking dress with braided collar and cuffs before retrieving the map and leather tube from its overnight resting place. She took them into the beamed closet to work on, leaving the door open to her bedchamber so she might hear if one of her charges came looking for her. There was plenty of time to transcribe the document before Lord Heythrop would expect her at his (father’s) office. Poor Edward, so determined to uphold the family responsibilities in lieu of Lord Eastwick, and what a wearisome task he was making of it!

  Theodosia allowed herself one wistful glance out the window at the sunny summer morning before setting to her task. She had only just begun when she was interrupted by a knock at her door, and she closed and locked the desk before rising to answer it. The oldest of the three sisters stood smiling in the hall, her black curls charmingly framing an angelic face.

  "Are you not coming to breakfast now, Miss Tremere? Amy is eager to show you the new kittens. Miss Whiskers littered last night.”

  “Did she? In the barn, I hope. Or did Amy have her hidden under her bed?” Theodosia closed th
e door and walked down the hall with Charlotte, not at all impatient at being disturbed in her task.

  “Well, Amy did have her in her room, but Edward heard Miss Whiskers’ mews and insisted that she be taken out to the barn.” Charlotte was indignant.

  "Tm sure Miss Whiskers didn’t mind in the least, my dear. She probably had a spot picked out there for the purpose and would have felt unsettled to use Amy’s room.”

  “But we didn’t get to see her have the kittens!” Charlotte protested. “Edward wouldn’t let us stay there with her.”

  "Most unfortunate,” Theodosia admitted, "but the barn is drafty and I doubt Lady Eastwick would have appreciated your all coming down with colds.”

  “We told Edward we would wrap ourselves up well! He wouldn’t listen!”

  “He was only thinking of your welfare.”

  “Humph! That’s what he always says, and it is no such thing. He simply likes to lord it over all of us. I pity the poor girl he marries.”

  “Nonsense,” Theodosia rejoined, but with merry eyes. “Once Lord Eastwick returns and your brother is unburdened of some of his responsibilities (and there are many of them, Charlotte), you will find him a great deal easier to live with.”

  Since they were just entering the Breakfast Parlor, Charlotte said only, “I certainly hope so.”

  Assembled at the shining mahogany table were all of the other resident Heythrops except the eldest son. Eleanor, dressed in a delightful creation of her own design, was conversing quietly with her mother, while the two boys, Thomas and John, were teasing Amy about the kittens. Sentences broke off abruptly as a chorus of “Good morning, Miss Tremere” greeted her arrival, and the boys politely rose and vied for the honor of seating her between them.

  “It’s a perfect day for a ride,” Thomas suggested, “and I’ve a mind to show you the castle remains near Bincombe, if you’d like.”

  “Oh, she’s seen them a thousand times, I’ll bet,” John retorted disparagingly. “Much more the sort of day to take a walk to the Home Farm and have a syllabub in the dairy.”

  “Well,” Amy interposed, “for certain the first thing she will wish to do is see the kittens. Oh, Miss Tremere, there are six of them! The most adorable little things you’ve ever seen.”

  “They look like rats,” Thomas muttered.

  Theodosia took a sip of the scalding coffee and surveyed each of the children in turn. When she spoke, it was in tones of doom. “I am summoned to Lord Heythrop’s office.”

  Her pronouncement fell on shocked ears. “Oh, no!” “What can you possibly have done to incur Edward’s wrath!” “You see, I told you! He likes nothing more than to lord it over everyone!” “Mama, surely you won’t let Edward come the heavy with Miss Tremere!” “Really, it’s too, too bad of him! You were to see the kittens straight away.”

  Lady Eastwick glanced quizzically at the governess and shook her head. “Now, children, I am sure Edward hasn't the least intention of scolding our Miss Tremere. More likely he has some question of an academic nature which he feels she may sort out for him. He was never more than passable in geography, as I recall.”

  Although skeptical, the children made an effort to brace Theodosia’s spirits. “That will be it,” Charlotte asserted. “Edward will want to know something about America and where Papa wrote he would be traveling.”

  "I shall be happy to help him if I can.” Assuming a brighter countenance, Theodosia helped herself from the plate of kippers being held by the underfootman, who looked quite as anxious as the children. “Perhaps we should send off to London for a more current map of the New World, Lady Eastwick. Only the very largest towns show on ours, and Lord Eastwick finds himself in some rather obscure places.”

  “An excellent idea. Eleanor, you will find Cary’s direction in the New Itinerary, I believe. If you will bring it to me in the Front Parlor, I shall write to him this morning. He is bound to have maps of America as well as England, I dare say, and if not, he will know where to get them. Come, children. Leave Miss Tremere to finish her breakfast in peace.”

  Only Charlotte remained behind, not having finished her toast in her concern over the governess being called to Edward's office. “He’s not likely to raise a great fuss, you know. He likes you.”

  "I'm relieved to hear it. But you mustn’t fret, my dear. I promise you I'm not quaking in my shoes, though you mustn’t think me any the less respectful of your brother. His is not an easy position. Still,” she said briskly, “I am sure he and I shall overcome any little problem which may be plaguing him. You don’t think he holds me responsible for Miss Whiskers, do you?”

  Charlotte laughed at the mock-alarm in Miss Tremere’s eyes. “I would that I could jest about his crotchets. The other day he told me I was seeing entirely too much of Carlton Winstanley. Honestly! The poor fellow is only home on leave for a month and has been over but twice! To take tea with the entire family! I haven’t seen him alone at all.”

  A wistful note had crept into her voice and Theodosia smiled across the table at her. “He will be at Wildcroft Grange for another two weeks. I’m sure we’ll see him again.”

  “Yes, and Edward will speak to me again. Really, I think he's jealous of Mr. Winstanley and his naval career. They used to be the very best of friends, you know, but Edward won’t even listen to all Mr. Winstanley’s adventures.”

  “Lord Heythrop is possibly thinking of his father’s mission in America, Charlotte. When the earl is endeavoring to avoid a military conflict with the Americans, it hardly becomes his son to glory in the British naval ploys there.”

  Charlotte tossed her black ringlets disbelievingly. “I don’t think so. Edward just wishes that he were off somewhere being brave and serving his country like Mr. Winstanley is, or trying to maintain the peace like Papa. He doesn’t like playing nursemaid to his family—and he doesn’t do it very well!”

  “You aren’t making it any easier for him,” Theodosia said gently. “Now don’t take a pet, my dear; I know you have had a great deal to put up with. When all is said and done, though, Lord Heythrop does have more to handle than one his age ordinarily would, what with times being rather difficult right now. It seems to me that you and your sisters and brothers would make things easier for yourselves by trying to accommodate your eldest brother instead of fighting him on every little point. You only set up his back that way.”

  “He used to be one of us. He used to care.”

  “He still does care.”

  “No, he doesn’t,” Charlotte protested, a catch in her voice. “When Katey . . . died he didn’t shed a tear.”

  “Of course he did, only not where you could see him. In front of the family he wanted to appear sure and steady, someone you could lean on. Charlotte, he thought that was the way he was supposed to behave, the way his father would have behaved.”

  “Papa wouldn’t have been so rigid. There were tear stains on his letter.”

  “I know. But you must believe that Lord Heythrop thought he was acting for the best. Perhaps I shouldn’t tell you this, but I feel I must: I was the one who brought him the news. Your mother couldn’t bear to do so at the time, and Lord Heythrop had fallen asleep in a chair in the library after sitting up all night with Katey. Charlotte, he wept as though his heart were broken when I told him.” She studied the girl’s astonished face, and cautioned, “Now don’t mention it to him. I could tell he thought he was acting . . . unmanly. Gentlemen have a very strange emotional code. Far be it from me to understand it! Some of them think nothing of weeping buckets, and others wouldn’t be caught with so much as a trace of moisture in their eyes.”

  Her charge sat for some time considering this enlightening information, and slowly inclined her head. “I’ll try to be more accommodating to him, Miss Tremere.”

  “Good. Now I really must go to him. I’ll join you in the schoolroom in awhile.”

  The door to Lord Heythrop’s office stood open and Theodosia could see him seated at the enormous leather-topped desk bus
ily checking through the accounts. Despite his apparent concentration, however, at the sound of footsteps he looked up and immediately rose when she stood in the doorway.

  “Ah, Miss Tremere. Won’t you come in—and close the door if you would. One of the children is bound to let curiosity get the better of manners.” He waved to a chair opposite the desk but did not seat himself when she did. Folding his hands behind his back he wandered undecidedly about the room, his boots sounding loud on the polished oak planks. Theodosia waited patiently for him to speak.

  At length he said, “I don’t wish to seem an inquisitor, Miss Tremere, but as I explained to you last night the documents in the archive room are basically of a family nature. The treasure especially has been a closely guarded secret and I cannot for the life of me see why you would be reading the papers regarding it.”

  Theodosia sighed. So much for her plans to avoid telling him what they were doing. “Lady Eastwick and I have been concerned with the children’s low spirits, Lord Heythrop. I suggested that we might interest them in a project to take their minds off their sad loss, and what I had proposed was a hunt for your family treasure.”

  It was almost beyond Edward’s comprehension that his own mother could have agreed to such a sacrilege as to allow an outsider, practically a stranger, to delve into the family mystery. In the centuries that had preceded his own existence, he felt sure that never had anyone but a family member been made privy to the sacred intelligence that there even was a treasure. And here was a governess—a governess, by God!—perusing at will every clue to its meaning and location. Not only that, but she had already mislaid the most vital clue!