Was Lady Leith with child as I had suspected?
Of course, I had not been in my position long enough to ask such an impertinent question, but it was a matter I would have to keep my eye on.
If Sir Horace was the man involved in the treasonous behaviour my brother had been looking into, what would it do to Lady Leith if she were, at long last, expecting a child? Did I have it in me to ruin her reputation, her life, after she’d been so kind to me?
“Is something wrong, Nelson?”
Shaking myself from my thoughts, I picked up the hairbrush and lied through my teeth once again. “Not at all, my lady. I am just surprised, nothing more.”
“So, you see, I could not even send a note if I wished to,” Lady Leith said with a sigh. “I would not know where to send it. Of course, the last thing I wish is to give the impression that I am incapable of handling matters here. My husband must know he can rely on me.”
I couldn’t help but feel for her. If only there were some way to help her.
“And you can rely on me, my lady.”
Her smile was forced as she met my gaze in the mirror. “Of course, Nelson. I am relieved I have you on my side. I shall need all the help I can get to manage the dowager.”
WHEN I WAS BROUGHT my breakfast the next morning, I made an attempt to garner some insight into the Leith family. I’d refrained while I gathered my thoughts and strength, but now I felt such information would help me. To my surprise, my simple question was met with umbrage from Fanny the maid.
She would not spread tales or gossip about the family to me or any other person.
Her loyalty was as admirable as it was amusing. By the time that I assured her that I only wanted to understand how the family and estate worked, she had been too long in my room. She left without telling me anything at all.
Disappointed, I sipped my tea and tried to formulate some kind of a plan. Somehow, I had to find evidence proving either Sir Horace’s innocence or his guilt.
There was an office, I knew, that the steward made use of. I had not made an attempt to enter it yet. I’d assumed Sir Horace would take any important papers with him on his journey, but perhaps that wasn’t the case. Might a search produce something of use to me?
How would I manage to slip in undetected?
I mulled it over as I went to Lady Leith. Thankfully, she did not seem to notice my distracted state, and she did not ask anything out of the ordinary for me.
Once she was dressed in a pretty pale pink morning gown, the lady went off to her sitting room where correspondence awaited her attention. Writing letters to her friends and family seemed to be the one task my employer took delight in. She would spend hours at her desk. With so little change from day to day, I wondered what she wrote of.
Did she truly have that many acquaintances to write to each time she sat down? Or was it merely one way to avoid having to entertain the implacable dowager?
With Lady Leith occupied, I gathered my courage and left the dressing room. The hallway was quiet, the maids having completed their work in the main part of the house. With any luck, I would not encounter anyone.
As I walked, I kept my head high and my steps even. If I had the appearance of knowing where I was going and a task I wished to accomplish, it was less likely I would be stopped by an inquiring servant. As it was, I saw no one from Lady Leith’s dressing room to the hallway off of which Sir Horace’s office was located.
In fact, I was steps from the closed door, and thought I had succeeded in my self-appointed task. A voice halted me.
“Are you searching for something, miss?”
Startled, I spun around. An unfamiliar gentleman, short in height with plain brown hair, stood a few yards away from me. His attire was simple and practical. In his hand were several letters. He had to be Sir Horace’s steward.
“Are you lost?” he asked, his tone impatient. “Who are you?”
“Not precisely,” I said, thinking quickly. “I am Lady Leith’s maid, Miss Nelson. I have been trying to become better acquainted with the house so that I can get about quickly if my lady requires me to carry a message or some such task.”
The man raised his eyebrow, his expression sceptical. “Indeed. I cannot imagine what circumstances would require such a message but I admire your...well, I shall call it your dedication to being ready for any occasion.”
There was a slight note of sarcasm in his voice that made me straighten my shoulders. “And you are?” Knowing who had access to Sir Horace’s correspondence might be important, and I was astonished he hadn’t done the polite thing and introduced himself when I had offered my own name.
“Richard Stone, Sir Horace’s steward.” He spoke as though it should have been obvious, and he gave a bow in an almost mocking fashion. “At last, we meet. It has been some time since Lady Leith has had a maid to attend to her.”
My delight at being correct in my guess was overshadowed by my annoyance at his mannerisms. Perhaps I would be able to get some information from him in spite of it. “At last? My lady and I have not been here so long for that phrase to be applicable, I think, Mr. Stone.”
He gave a nod in the most condescending manner. “Indeed, one might think that, but you have been like a ghost. I was beginning to think you were a figment of her ladyship’s imagination, but all in the household go on about how diligent you are in tending to your mistress’ needs.”
What exactly was he trying to imply? I’d expected the other servants in the house to gossip and wonder about me, the newcomer who kept to herself. Mr. Stone was trying to make it sound as though I had failed in some way.
“I am glad my work speaks for me,” I said, holding myself to my highest height. Of course I took pride in what I did and if it had been noticed, well and good. “Lady Leith has had no complaints.”
His gaze moved over me reminded me of Mr. Dunbar, probing and impertinent. It set me on edge and I wondered what he was thinking. “Well, it isn’t as though she has anyone to compare you to,” he said, his lips curved in a slight smile.
How dare he? Did he think I would take that insult? I was in no mood to verbally spare with him and my excursion was not having the results I’d desired. “I will keep that in mind, Mr. Stone. Now I will not keep you from your work, Mr. Stone,” I said, eager to put an end to the conversation. “I know you must be busy with Sir Horace away. I’m sure Lady Leith is looking forward to your next report. Good day.”
His jaw dropped as I swept past him. I tried to banish the feeling of victory that shot through over having startled him. How was I going to get into the study with Mr. Stone lurking about?
Frustrated at being thwarted and annoyed that he felt free to insult Lady Leith, I returned to the dressing room. As I entered, a hat sailed in front of my face. Experience from my previous employer made me come to a halt. While I knew I could not possibly have been the intended target, it was better to be cautious.
Lady Leith was not one to throw things when angered. In fact, I could not recall any time when she’d even shown her temper. What must have happened in the hour since she’d left the dressing room to provoke this kind of reaction?
“My lady?” I said with no little caution. “Is something amiss?”
She spun away from the wall she’d been facing. Colour was high in her cheeks and her shoulders moved as though she was breathing deeply. “Amiss? What could possibly be amiss, Nelson? I am sure it is a common occurrence for a lady to be outmanoeuvred and—and managed in her own house!”
Stopping to hide my flinch, I picked up the battered straw hat. I suppose the dowager being difficult was reason enough for Lady Leith to need to vent her anger. When I lifted my gaze, the woman appeared to be close to tears.
“What am I to do?” she asked, sinking onto the chair in front of the dressing table. “I have no wish for company at the moment, but how can I stop her? She has decided to host a party in three weeks. I do not even know if my husband will have returned by then! What will he think if he retu
rns and I am entertaining without him?”
Many had been the time I had heard tell of mothers-in-law who would refuse to give way to their son’s new wife. I had thought myself fortunate that Henry Bladen had a kind mother who was fond of me. There would have been no such trouble between us.
That thought, however, belonged in the past as a naive schoolgirl’s dream.
“If you state plainly that you will not allow a party and then forbid the servants to cooperate with her, would that not put an end to the matter?” I asked, pulling my thoughts from what might have been. “As you say, this is your home now and you are the mistress.”
She gave a scoff. “What would be the point? I am convinced that at least half of the staff are loyal to the dowager. She was mistress of the house for twenty nine years before I arrived. They look to her for direction.”
“But since Sir Horace is the current baron, and you his lady, you are the one with the authority to dismiss anyone who disobeys you.” It was a ruthless suggestion, but the situation seemed to call for such an attack. “Make it clear you will do so. Be a force to be reckoned with.”
It seemed simple enough to me, but she shook her head. “Dismiss someone whose family has served the Leith family for a hundred some years? I would make myself even more of an outsider. My husband would be disappointed in me and hire them on again once he returned.”
Again, she had a point. Goodness, how was a wife supposed to navigate such a convoluted situation? “What if you tell the dowager that your husband would be displeased with such a plan? Surely, she would respect her son’s wishes.”
“I appreciate that you are trying to help, Nelson, but it is hopeless,” she said, closing her eyes. She brought her hand up to rub her forehead. “I would not be at all surprised that when I join her for dinner, she will tell me she has made the guest list and has begun to write out the invitations.”
Who knew what kind of companions the dowager would invite to her party. Naturally, the idea of there being strangers—or even worse, someone who knew Juliet Sinclair!—in the house filled me with dread. There had to be some way to control. Maybe...
“Well, if you cannot stop her, perhaps you can beat her at her own game,” I said slowly.
Lifting her head, Lady Leith blinked, a frown creasing her forehead. “Beat her? What do you mean?”
“If there is no way to avoid a party, make your own guest list. Invite your friends, who will be on your side, and you can enjoy yourself.”
After a moment and just when I was ready to believe I had gone too far, she let out a laugh. “And what would stop her from ignoring my list in favour of her own?”
“At the moment, the dowager has only her hand for any correspondence she wishes to write. Though you said she might even now be penning the invitations, she has no companion to assist with the task. It will take her some time to finish them all.”
“And you think I could write my own invitations faster?” There was no mistaking the doubt in Lady Leith’s voice. “You forget I have no companion to help lighten the load.”
“I don’t wish you to think I am bragging, but I am reported to have a fine hand, my lady. Between us, invitations could be written in a trice.”
“You make a convincing argument, Nelson.” Lady Leith leaned back, her expression thoughtful. “Your gift for strategy quite puts me in mind of the great Lord Nelson. Are you a relation of his by any chance?”
“I can tell you in most emphatic terms that I am not.”
She didn’t seem to hear me. “I suppose if I must endure company, it may as well be those I can tolerate. For the most part, of course. I’m sure the dowager will insist on a few of her own close friends being invited.”
“Does she have friends, then? I am astounded!” The words left my lips before I knew I was even thinking them. I clapped my hand over my mouth.
Lady Leith laughed, and then appeared ashamed. “Nelson, you ought not be so impertinent.”
Embarrassed, I lowered my hand. “Forgive me, my lady. I did not mean any offense.”
“I’m sure you didn’t. Finish whatever tasks require your attention, and then join me in my sitting room,” she said with a note of determination entering her voice. She rose from the chair. “I shall decide on the guest list.”
I barely managed to murmur an acknowledgement before she strode from the room. Lightly bouncing the hat against my hand, I shook my head. Why did I allow myself to be pulled into helping those around me?
“Right. House party,” I said aloud. “Members of society who may or may not know me in this house. They wouldn’t possibly pay attention to a maid.”
Unless they were a blackmailing traitor like Mr. Ingram who kept a sharp look out for abnormalities.
“What could possibly go wrong?”
Chapter Four
“Miss Nelson! Miss Nelson!”
Rubbing my sore wrist, I lifted my gaze from the open book on my bed. I thought there was a note of panic in the young voice, which was unusual. “Yes? Come in,” I called out.
The door swung open and Fanny entered. She wrung her hands together, her eyes wide with fright. What had scared her? Surely she didn’t think I would be upset at the interruption. “My lady wishes her shawl.”
Her shawl? Was that all? Why was that cause for such an upset? Had the dowager done something to make a seemingly small thing into a failure? “I will fetch it for Lady Leith directly.”
Fanny bobbed a curtsy, but her expression didn’t show any relief. She rushed off before I could question her. Shaking my head, I left my book open, hoping to return to it in a matter of minutes. I’d expected to have several hours to myself after sending Lady Leith off to dinner.
I went down to the dressing room. It was as I had left it. Mindful of the mauve dinner gown Lady Leith had chosen for the evening, I selected a cashmere shawl from the wardrobe. I draped it over my arm and started down to the drawing room where I was sure to find the ladies.
The dowager’s voice could be heard well before I reached the door. “...do not consider my feelings? When Horace returns from wherever he flees to on every opportunity, you can be sure I intend on telling him everything.”
It was a struggle to keep my face passive as I slipped through the doorway. Lady Leith had given me a good idea of the dowager’s ability for the dramatic, oppressed attitude, but this was something else entirely. My employer must have the patience of a saint to have gone so long without her temper snapping.
“You said this morning that you wished for company and that you intended to invite a party,” Lady Leith said in a quiet tone. She glanced over and her gaze caught mine. “Oh, thank you, Nelson. I felt a slight chill.”
As I stepped forward, the dowager’s beady eyes narrowed. “So this is the creature you were taken in by,” she said, her tone disdainful. “I hope you are keeping track of the valuables in the house.”
“I wasn’t taken in, ma’am,” Lady Leith said stiffly. She allowed me to drape the shawl over her shoulders. “Nelson’s references were excellent and she came highly recommended. I’ve found her to be an excellent maid.”
“Hmm. Excellent references, you say? Then, why did I learn she worked for that upstart Dunbar family? And, I might add, she was dismissed under very suspicious circumstances. I highly doubt they provided an ‘excellent reference.’”
Lady Leith’s eyes flicked to me, the hint of a question contained there. “You know how people gossip. A person cannot believe half of what they are told.”
“Did you or did you not attempt to kill the young Dunbar boy?” This pointed question was directed at me. Or so I assumed since she was still staring at me.
I held myself with as much dignity as I could muster. “I did not,” I said honestly. After all, he had attacked me and though I had been forced to stab him, I hadn’t intended to take his life. The wound hadn’t been life threatening. Not unless he’d had an incompetent doctor tend to him.
“And I’m supposed to believe you?”<
br />
“If you had no intention of believing what she said, why did you ask her in the first place?” Lady Leith demanded, her tone irritated. She strode to the pianoforte. “Shall I play for us? It will take your mind off of your complaints.”
“No, I do not wish to hear your playing,” the dowager said irritably. “You only wish to distract me from the matter of the party, not entertain me. What names did you put on your guest list? Upstarts and families of little account, I would wager.”
Her hand on the musical instrument, Lady Leith heaved a sigh. “If it will set your mind at ease, Nelson will bring the guest list from my desk.” Over her shoulder, she gave me a nod.
“Right away, my lady,” I said with the appropriate curtsy.
As I hurried from the room, I heard the older woman begin her objections once again. Breathing out, I went down the hallway to where Lady Leith and I had written invitations earlier in the day. Lady Leith had left her guest list on top of her desk in case an adjustment needed to be made at last minute.
We had worked all afternoon on writing the invitations. My gaze moved across the list and the names written there: Mr. Alfred Carter and his family, Col. Goodwin and his wife, a family by the name of Williamson, and Sir Henry Jonson and his wife. All were apparently close friends of Lady Leith’s and none were familiar to me, which was a relief. There was no chance of being recognized by any of them.
Had my brother known them? I wished there was some way I could ask without drawing undue attention to myself. Why would a servant ask such a personal question?
My pace on my return to the drawing room was much slower. The dowager had an impossible disposition. In a way, she put me in mind of Mrs. Burnham, with her selfish viewpoint. However, where my first employer had been little inclined to put forth effort for anything, Anne Leith seemed determined to punish and torment everyone around her.
It wouldn’t be easy to stay ahead of her and protect Lady Leith from the worst of the dowager’s venom. If only there was a way to send an anonymous message to Sir Horace and bring him back to look after his wife, as well as bring any documents that would prove his innocence or guilt.
Clarendon Estate (The Sinclair Society Series, #3) Page 3