The Highborn Housekeeper

by Sarah Mallory

  She put her work away when Nancy entered.

  ‘So, our visitor has arrived, has he?’

  ‘Mickling is even now showing him up.’ Nancy quickly sat down beside her. ‘Have you brought my embroidery? Good, let me have it, if you please. I want to present a picture of calm domesticity!’

  She barely had time to ply the first stitch before the visitor was announced. She rose to greet him, holding out her hand.

  ‘Ah.’ He came towards her, beaming. ‘Lady Ann, your most obedient servant, ma’am. Lady Craster has told me so much about you.’

  Nancy was a little surprised to hear this, but she replied calmly enough, ‘Good day to you, Doctor. I regret my father is out just now and Lady Craster is engaged. She sends her apologies and will join us presently.’

  ‘Ah, yes, she mentioned that might be the case in her note. Such an industrious lady, I cannot express how much I admire her.’

  Nancy kept silent and observed the doctor as he bowed over her fingers. He was a big, grey-haired man, dressed plainly in a brown riding coat, breeches and top boots. He was corpulent, but there was an impression of power about him and behind his genial smile she thought his eyes held a calculating look. She was glad she had Hester with her in the room.

  She presented the doctor to her companion and they sat down to wait for Mickling to return with refreshments.

  ‘I believe this is your first visit to Masserton for some time, Lady Ann?’ remarked the doctor. ‘An absence of several years, I understand.’ He added in a confiding way, ‘Lady Craster explained the circumstances to me, you see, knowing it is best I am aware of all the facts, if I am to treat the Earl. It must be a comfort to be reconciled with your father.’

  ‘Yes, it is.’

  ‘And you yourself are a widow. My condolences, madam.’

  She shrugged off a faint irritation at his familiarity. If Susan had not informed him, then she thought it likely her father would have done so. Doctors were often recipients of their patients’ innermost thoughts.

  ‘Yes. My husband died some time ago.’

  ‘I trust his family have been kind to you?’

  ‘Mr Hopwood had no family, Doctor. I was everything to him.’ The lies tripped from her tongue much more easily than they had done when telling her father her fictitious history. Or when she had told Gabriel. She wished she had not thought of him, for she felt a strong desire to have him there to support her.

  ‘What, no family at all? And no children.’ Dr Scotton shook his head. ‘That must be a sadness to you.’

  ‘Since my husband was in trade, I think the Earl considers it a blessing.’

  She had had enough of talking of herself and smoothly turned the conversation. She asked him about himself and he was very willing to talk, telling her at length about his practice in Lincoln before moving on to more innocuous subjects, which filled the time until she could send the doctor off to his bedchamber. She suggested he might rest until the dinner hour, but he only laughed at that.

  ‘I never rest during the day, Lady Ann. Once I have changed out of my travelling clothes I shall inspect his lordship’s library, if I may?’

  ‘By all means, sir. I will make sure there is a good fire there.’

  ‘And perhaps you would like to join me. I have enjoyed our conversation and we might continue. I am sure there is much we might discuss.’

  But this was too much for Nancy. She declined gracefully and when the footman had taken him off to escort him to his room she sank back in her chair with an exaggerated sigh.

  ‘Thank goodness that is over. I am exceeding cross with my future mama-in-law for insisting I should entertain the worthy doctor.’

  ‘I thought you handled him very well,’ remarked Hester. ‘To my mind he is overly inquisitive.’

  ‘I suppose it fits with his calling to be interested in people.’

  ‘I did not take to him, Miss Nancy.’

  ‘Nor I, but my father seems to approve of him.’ She lowered her voice: ‘It would suit me very well to discover that he is in league with Lady Craster, but I think that may be just wishful thinking on my part.’

  ‘I think it is, my lady,’ replied Hester. ‘Just as I can’t help thinking Master Gabriel may have it wrong about the missing papers business. We have found no sign of anything odd at Masserton Court.’

  ‘Apart from old Peter’s demise.’

  Hester shook her head. ‘Even that is easily explained with the icy weather.’

  ‘But for it to happen the very same night we came upon Lord Gabriel in the copse?’

  ‘Perhaps there was a band of marauders abroad in Darlton that night, causing mayhem. It doesn’t necessarily follow that there is any great conspiracy.’ She saw Nancy was not convinced and added, ‘I admit I don’t feel comfortable here, but that’s more to do with the way the Earl and his lady treat you than any sign of wrongdoing. I think ’tis time we packed our bags and left, ma’am, and that’s a fact.’

  Nancy was more than half inclined to agree with her companion. She decided not to make Hester even more anxious by telling her of Gabriel’s plan to search the blue room that evening. If that failed to bring any results, then Gabriel would have to make enquiries elsewhere. And if he should find the missing papers in the blue room—either way it would bring an end to their liaison. It had to come, but she could not prevent a faint sadness at the thought. She pushed it aside, reminding herself that she had already made her plans for the future.

  She said, ‘You are right, Hester, there is no reason for us to remain here. We shall begin packing this very day. You have my permission to start putting things in the trunks. Tomorrow I shall tell my father that I am quitting Masserton Court.’

  * * *

  The short winter day was fading when Gabriel accompanied Lord Masserton back to the Court for dinner. The Earl’s dogs had driven up numerous birds and since Gabriel had allowed his host to bag the majority of them, the Earl was in excellent humour. When they reached the house, Gabriel was shown to an upstairs room where he might wash the dirt from his hands and face while his coat was carried off by a footman to be brushed.

  * * *

  Some time later he presented himself in the drawing room in tolerably good order.

  He found his host and hostess already there, together with a large man in a plain suit whom he guessed to be Dr Scotton.

  ‘Lord Gabriel.’ Lady Craster came forward, her hand held out and a smile lilting on her lips. ‘How delightful that you could join us. Lord Masserton tells me you had good sport today.’

  He kissed her fingers. ‘We did indeed, ma’am. A most enjoyable day’s shooting.’

  When he straightened, she continued to cling to his hand for a moment and raised melting blue eyes to his face. An invitation, if ever he saw one. Trying to outshine Nancy, he thought with an inward smile. She wouldn’t do it. His taste now ran to a very different sort of woman. Full figured and dark-haired... He turned obediently when the Earl presented Dr Scotton to him.

  ‘Delighted, my lord.’ The doctor made a creditable bow, despite his bulk, and when Gabriel asked him if he was there in an official capacity, he gave a hearty laugh.

  ‘Precautionary, my dear sir, precautionary. As his lordship’s physician I like to assure myself that he is going on well.’

  ‘My lady insists the doctor check me over at regular intervals, eh, Scotton?’ The Earl gave a bark of laughter and shook his head at Lady Craster, ‘It’s no use my telling her that I have never had a day’s illness in my life, save for a touch of gout.’

  ‘Which makes you very cross.’ Lady Craster gave his arm a playful tap with her fan.

  Dr Scotton laughed dutifully and looked towards the door as it opened.

  ‘Ah, and here is the Lady Ann. Now our party is complete!’

  Nancy came in and paused for a moment in the doorway. With
out appearing to stare, Gabriel took in every glorious detail. She looked like some fiery angel in a gown of tawny silk, cut to show her figure to advantage. As befitted a widow, it was trimmed, albeit sparingly, with black lace. She wore no modest fichu around her shoulders and the tiny strip of lace around the low neckline only drew attention to her generous bosom. Her dark hair had been brushed to a deep shine and was dressed in loose curls, piled up on her head, with one glossy ringlet falling to her shoulder. Diamonds winked at her ears, but instead of a costly necklace she had chosen to tie a simple length of black ribbon around her throat. He thought she had never looked more desirable.

  As she swept into the room Gabriel moved across to intercept her. She looked at him, her brown eyes sparkling, but not with pleasure. Something, someone, had angered her.

  ‘Lady Ann, you look...magnificent.’ As he lifted her hand to his lips he murmured, ‘Are you trying to dazzle the good doctor?’

  She choked back a laugh, replying for his ears only, ‘My father and Susan gave me the hint that I should wear something demure this evening.’

  ‘And instead you chose your most ostentatious creation.’

  The sparkle was back, this time full of mischief.

  ‘All Mrs Hopwood’s gowns are ostentatious! Susan looks as if she would like to rip this one right off my back!’ She twinkled up at him. ‘Are you outraged?’

  ‘Not at all. Although I admit I would like to do the same, but for a very different reason.’

  Nancy blushed and laughed at that. She shook her head at him and responded in a louder voice so all the room might hear.

  ‘I fear you are an incorrigible flirt, Lord Gabriel.’

  He inclined his head, a smile tugging at his mouth as Nancy walked away from him.

  ‘Lady Ann, do come and sit next to me and tell me what secrets you and Lord Gabriel have been hatching.’

  Gabriel was not deceived by Lady Craster’s playful tone. Her eyes had been snapping angrily since Nancy’s arrival.

  ‘Why, nothing, ma’am. I was merely begging his lordship to forgive me for appearing a trifle...overdressed this evening. I was explaining that I have nothing more suitable for a quiet family dinner.’

  Nancy sat down beside her and made a play of arranging her skirts, apparently as oblivious of her father’s scowl as she was of Lady Craster’s displeasure. Dr Scotton laughed gently and tried to engage his hostess in conversation and thankfully it was not long before dinner was announced.

  As Gabriel escorted Lady Craster to the dining room, his own particular devil prompted him to remark how well Lady Ann was looking this evening.

  ‘The lady has such lively spirits,’ he added. ‘She must be a delightful companion for you.’

  ‘Indeed she is.’ There was a semblance of gritted teeth about the lady’s response. ‘We must hope her liveliness will make up for the fact we are an uneven number at dinner.’

  ‘My dear Lady Craster,’ declared the doctor, overhearing, ‘with two such jewels at the dining table, how could we find anything wanting?’

  Across the table, Nancy met Gabriel’s eyes for a brief moment of shared humour. She was seated beside Dr Scotton and Gabriel observed her as she responded to his questions. She was indeed a jewel, he thought. She rivalled any of the beauties he had seen in town. Her luxuriant hair glowed in the candlelight and her profile, with its straight little nose and determined chin, was quite perfect. True, she was not petite, but he himself was tall and, when she was in his arms, she was the perfect height to rest her head on his shoulder. He remembered the times she had done so, with her curls tickling his chin.

  Confound it, if he was not a confirmed bachelor he might even be tempted to—

  ‘...do you not think so, Lord Gabriel?’

  Lady Craster’s voice dragged him out of his reverie. He was forced to apologise and ask her to repeat the question, but he consoled himself with the fact that his preoccupation should only help to convince her of his interest in Nancy.

  * * *

  Nancy was relieved that the gentlemen did not sit too long over their port that evening. She had thought Susan would upbraid her for wearing the tawny silk, but she chose rather to demonstrate her displeasure by ignoring Nancy. She scooped up a copy of the Lady’s Magazine and read it by the light of the candles.

  However, when the Earl came in with his guests, Lady Craster quickly jumped up, declaring gaily that she had not expected to see them for an hour yet.

  ‘Damned sawbones wouldn’t let me take more than a single glass of port,’ grumbled the Earl.

  ‘Now, now, my lord, you know it is for your own good, if you are to avoid a painful recurrence of the gout. I am sure none of us wishes that to happen, do we, Lady Ann?’ The doctor lowered his bulk into a chair beside Nancy and gave her an ingratiating smile. ‘Besides, Lord Gabriel and I were only too pleased to join the ladies.’

  He proceeded to engage her in conversation to the exclusion of everyone else. He questioned her about her marriage and her childhood, but Nancy was loath to add to the story she had already fabricated and answered him cautiously, deftly turning aside his more probing questions. She could only be thankful when the tea tray was brought in and gave her an excuse to move away. She was beginning to feel uneasy. There had been no opportunity for Gabriel to slip away to search the blue room, neither had she been able to speak privately with him, and she must do so if he was to gain access to the Court later.

  She hovered near the tea tray and when Susan had filled the cups she carried one first to the doctor, then returned to collect another two, one for herself and one for Gabriel, who had strolled across to the unshuttered window and was gazing soulfully out into the night.

  ‘Tell me, Lady Ann, is there anything more beautiful than a winter landscape by moonlight?’

  ‘It is pretty enough, when viewed from the comfort of a warm room,’ she replied, handing him his tea.

  ‘Always so practical,’ he murmured, keeping his back to the room. ‘Which door can be left unlocked for me tonight?’

  Nancy moved to stand beside him, as if contemplating the view.

  ‘There is a garden door, reached from a path at the back of the wash house. Keep your horse to the grass and no one should hear you approach. And you can tether him to the railings. There is nothing to take anyone out that way after dark.’

  ‘Good. Perhaps Mrs Yelland could oil the hinges.’

  ‘I have already taken that precaution,’ she told him, smiling slightly. ‘I think it best not to involve Hester in this. I told her not to wait up for me. I will be there to let you in.’ She saw a movement from the corner of her eye. Dr Scotton was approaching so she raised her voice slightly. ‘There is a good moon and a clear sky to light you home tonight, my lord.’

  He did not fail her. ‘Indeed there is. I shall be at the door no later than two.’

  ‘Two o’clock?’ The doctor gave a chuckle. ‘Good heavens, my lord, I understood your friends lived no more than a couple of miles from here! You will be in your bed much sooner than two! Ha-ha, you society fellows and your town habits. I am sorry to disappoint you, but the Earl and his lady do not keep such late hours.’

  ‘And Lord Gabriel will not wish to remain very late,’ added Lady Craster, coming across to join them. ‘The Earl tells me you are leaving for the north in the morning, my lord.’

  ‘Leaving!’ Nancy could not help the exclamation. She had known he must go, yet to hear the words from Susan was a bitter blow.

  ‘Why, yes, did I not tell you, Lady Ann?’ His innocent tone did nothing to assuage Nancy’s anger. ‘Now the roads are clear I must be on my way.’

  ‘Of course.’ Susan flicked a triumphant glance towards Nancy. ‘Lord Gabriel cannot tarry here on a whim, you know, Lady Ann. He has obligations to his family, however much he wants to stay.’

  ‘I certainly do. Have obligations, that i
s.’

  Was that a faint glimmer of apology in his eyes? Was he trying to tell her he must do his duty? Nancy knew that, of course she did. Had she not told herself only that morning that their idyll was over?

  ‘But we are not yet out of time,’ declared the doctor, beaming at everyone. ‘We must enjoy the rest of our evening together. It is not often that I am privileged to enjoy such company as this.’ He turned to Nancy. ‘Perhaps, Lady Ann, you would sing for us, before we retire. You might send us off to our slumbers with a lullaby, perhaps.’

  The suggestion shook her.

  ‘Oh, but I cannot,’ she said, backing away. ‘I am so out of practice.’

  ‘You are too modest, madam. My lady says she has heard you singing and playing here, on this fine Broadwood.’

  ‘But that is for my own amusement, sir, and I cannot accompany myself well enough to please an audience.’

  ‘Then let me play for you,’ offered Gabriel. ‘I am quite proficient, you know, and I should very much like to hear you sing. Let us repair to the pianoforte. I noticed a pile of sheet music on a side table, including songs in a notebook that bears your name.’

  ‘Is that still there?’ She gave an uncertain laugh. ‘I compiled that collection years ago. Too long ago to remember the songs.’

  His eyes gleamed as he countered even that excuse.

  ‘Then you can read the words over my shoulder as I play. Come, I am sure we shall be able to find a piece to suit us both.’ He put his hand under her elbow and turned his charming smile upon the doctor. ‘If you will excuse us, sir...’

  ‘Gabriel, let me go,’ she begged as he escorted her across to the pianoforte. ‘I do not want to play. Or sing.’

  ‘Oh, why? I thought all ladies liked the opportunity to shine.’