She released my hand. “Now, however, I have arranged for my guests to explore the maze. Then, it will be time to dress for dinner.”
“I will have this hem repaired by then.” My nerves were too shaken for me to even contemplate doing anything out of the safety of the house.
“Try not to worry. We’ll see this through come what may.”
No doubt, Lady Leith meant her words to be reassuring, but I was in no mood to be comforted. Instead, I set aside the dress, certain it would only take a few moments to repair. Before I did anything else, I was moving all other items of value I possessed and hiding them where Miss Hanson would not dare trespass: in Lady Leith’s dressing room.
I CONTINUED ABOUT MY day without any sign of Mr. Stone or Miss Hanson, which I was not at all bothered by. Lady Leith had nothing new to report when she returned to the dressing room before dinner. The matter had come to a standstill, one which I hoped would not take long to overcome.
Still feeling on edge, I made my way down to the lower levels of the house. My meal would soon be brought to the housekeeper’s room for me. I knew Miss Hanson required a tray brought up to her own room, which made me uneasy. What would keep her from invading my room once again while I was so far away?
Even though I knew she wouldn’t find anything interesting, if she did, the thought of her in my room was unsettling. I had so little privacy as a servant. What I did have was important.
In the meantime, my appetite had fled though I knew I needed to eat something as I had only had breakfast earlier in the day.
“Mrs. Horner! Mrs. Horner!” Fanny called out as she rushed past me. “Mrs. Horner!”
Curious, I followed her past the housekeeper’s room. The first course was already leaving the kitchen. “Fanny, it is not proper for you to be running around screeching in such a manner,” the housekeeper said, her tone reproving as she came from the kitchen. “Lower your voice and explain what is wrong.”
“Sir Horace has returned,” the maid blurted out. “And he has company with him.”
A moment of silence followed her words. “Has he?” Mrs. Horner said with more calmness than she must have been feeling. “Well, well, well. This is a surprise. Do you know how many have come with Sir Horace?”
“At least two other men. Mr. Williams sent me to inform you.”
“He might have waited for a few more details before he did so. I presume her ladyship has also been informed?”
Fanny shook her head, her eyes wide with excitement. She didn’t seem to realize this situation was one of a hostess’ worst nightmares. In a house already filled with guests, what was to be done with newcomers? Where would they sleep? How long did they intend to stay? Why had Sir Horace not sent word ahead that he was returning?
One of the footmen appeared in the doorway. “Sir Horace requests trays be taken to the library for himself and his two guests,” he said, holding himself with dignity. “He does not wish for the dinner arrangements to be disturbed.”
“Of course. Do Sir Horace’s guests plan on staying tonight?” Mrs. Horner asked, gesturing for the maids to get back to work.
“Mr. Williams did not say, ma’am.”
“Well, we must be prepared nonetheless,” Mrs. Horner said with a note of determination. “A little manoeuvring will be in order, but we shall manage.”
She spun to go about her duties without even noticing that I was there. Breathing out, I retreated to the housekeeper’s room. I had the feeling it would be a few minutes before my meal was brought due to the sudden change. What little appetite I’d had was gone.
So Sir Horace had finally returned and with companions. Who could he have brought? This couldn’t have been a common occurrence, otherwise Lady Leith would have mentioned her husband’s habit of bringing friends home.
Would Lady Leith confront her husband with what she knew as she’d said she would? Or would she wait to learn what she could before making a decision?
I didn’t like being at the mercy of another person’s decision. It was the one aspect of being a servant I’d never reconciled myself with. Perhaps even those who went into a life of service from a young age felt the same, but with little chance of breaking free they did not hope to break away from that aspect of servitude.
At least, once I finished my quest for the truth, I could return home. Though I would still be under another person’s authority. My uncle wished to marry me off to...well, anyone he deemed suitable, it would seem.
If Miss Hanson had already given Mr. Stone the cipher, would he in turn be handing it over to Sir Horace?
“You’re looking grim tonight, Miss Nelson,” Fanny said as she set the tray in front of me.
With a start, I looked up at her. I’d been so involved in my thoughts, I hadn’t even realized she’d come in. “I was thinking of the work in store for Mrs. Horner if Sir Horace’s guests expect to stay tonight. It is quite an upset.”
“From what I just heard, they intend to stay for a week.”
“Egad, where shall they be put?” How could Sir Horace not warn his wife of these plans? While he may not have expected her to be having a party while he was away, surely he would realize that any woman would appreciate a warning before being thrust into the role of hostess.
“The Williamson sisters shall have to share a room, and there is the small green room that was not being used,” Fanny said, giving a knowledgeable nod. “It will be tight Mrs. Horner says, but it will have to do.”
“Well, Mrs. Horner appears to have the matter well in hand.” After all, it was her responsibility to ensure the household ran without a problem. Of course she would solve the problem with aplomb.
“I hope one day to be as organized and calm as she is,” Fanny confided in a low voice. She bobbed a curtsy and then hurried back out, no doubt for her own meal.
My appetite was still missing, but I made myself pick up my fork anyway. It would give me something to do while I waited.
LADY LEITH WAS SCOWLING when she entered the dressing room. “I suppose you’ve heard the news already,” she said as she removed the pearls from around her neck. “Sir Horace has returned from wherever it is he goes off to, only, this time, he has returned with guests for me to entertain.”
There was a note of anger in her voice. Just as I had suspected she would be, she was far from pleased with her husband’s actions. “Yes, I’d heard,” I said, stepping to help her remove the evening gown. “I take it this is not something he has done before?”
“How could he?” Lady Leith asked, not seeming to have heard my question. “How could he think I do not need to be consulted about who stays in my home? Does he not realize how difficult it is to add that kind of work on the servants without warning? It is beyond comprehension!”
I pulled the gown over her head. “Would you be this upset if you did not have other guests in the house?” I asked as I undid the stays and then assisted her into her nightgown.
“Yes, of course I would be!” She sat down in front of the mirror and continued to scowl at her reflection. “It is unfair to me, and to the servants who work here, to just expect us all to accommodate my husband’s whims in this way.”
Carefully, I removed the hairpins from her hair. “Mrs. Horner took it all in stride. You are fortunate to have her as housekeeper. I don’t think there is anything she is not willing to overcome.”
“It doesn’t make my husband’s thoughtlessness any better!”
“Celia, you don’t mean that.”
Both Lady Leith and I spun around. Sir Horace stood in the doorway of the room. He wore a dressing gown over his shirt and breeches. Embarrassed to see him in such a state of undress, I averted my eyes. Why hadn’t I heard him open the door?
“I only say what I mean, Horace,” my employer said sharply. She faced the mirror and gestured for me to continue brushing her hair. “It was inconsiderate of you to do this to me.”
“If either of us has any right to be upset, I think it should be me,” Sir Hor
ace said as he came further into the room. “Why would you have a party while I was away? What kind of impression does that give our neighbours?”
Wholeheartedly, I wished I was anywhere but in the room with them. I kept my eyes down. What would a servant do in this situation? Leave them to their conversation? Stand like a statue until I was dismissed?
“This party was not my idea,” Lady Leith said, raising her chin. She stared at her husband’s reflection in the mirror. “You have your mother to thank for this.”
“It’s difficult to believe that when the guests I have met are not the sort my mother frequently chooses to associate with.”
“Well, what else was I supposed to do? Spend a week being badgered and insulted by the dowager’s friends?” Celia brought her hand down on top of the dressing table. “You don’t understand what she is like when you are not here, Horace. She makes life intolerable and I will not let her walk all over me anymore.”
Moving as slow as possible to avoid drawing attention to myself, I set the hair brush down. “Celia, you’re making too much of it. I know my mother can be difficult, but one only needs to know how to respond to her,” Sir Horace said, putting his hand on his wife’s shoulder. “In time—”
Lady Leith shook him off as she stood up. “So it’s all my fault? I’m to wait and watch every word I say? Why am I not surprised you would take her side? You have never stood up for me. Why should I expect you to start now?”
Head down, I backed toward the door. “I didn’t say that,” Sir Horace objected, his tone frustrated. “Why are you reacting like this, Celia?”
“Why am I upset that you leave whenever you wish, return whenever you wish, and now you bring guests with you whenever you wish? All without consulting me?”
I slipped out the room and closed the door behind me. Lady Leith would thank me in the morning, I was sure. No one wanted a witness to an argument between spouses.
Chapter Twelve
The next morning, as I finished my morning toilet, there was a light knock on my door. “Miss Nelson,” Fanny called. I heard her try the doorknob, but I hadn’t had a chance to unlock it yet. “Sir Horace is requesting to see you in the library. Immediately.”
Such a summons was not unexpected though, not at this hour. “Thank you,” I said, raising my voice. “Please have Lady Leith’s tray taken to her in the meantime. She should not be kept waiting.”
“Of course.”
It was at least an hour too soon for Lady Leith’s morning tea. I’d risen early to clean the dressing room, not having the courage to do so the previous night. If I had to guess, Mr. Stone had handed over the cipher to Sir Horace and I was being called to account for it. I was going to need my new friend’s help in getting out of this fix.
Before I left the room, I checked my appearance in the mirror. Black shadows no longer lurked under my eyes, and my skin was not as pale as I’d been when I first arrived at Clarendon. When I held my chin up, I thought I could see a resemblance to the dignity my mother had always exhibited. I would need all the confidence I could muster for this coming interview.
My steps were even and without hesitation as I made my way down to the library. The door was ajar when I reached it. Before I stepped in, I took a moment to rub my sweaty palms on my skirt.
As I entered the room, I spotted Sir Horace was seated at the desk in front of the large windows. My gaze shifted to the second person in the room, who stood behind the baronet.
Mr. Oswyn Harper. What was he doing here? He was one of Sir Horace’s friends?
“Miss Nelson,” he said, nodding toward me. His tone was cold. “We meet again. Why am I not surprised?”
“Good day, Mr. Harper.” I curtsied, clasped my hands behind my back, and kept my eyes down. Through my eyelashes, I peered at Sir Horace. He had yet to say a word. “You asked to speak to me, Sir Horace?” I asked, anxious to get the conversation over with.
“I did,” he finally said. His gaze was steady as he watched me. Was he trying to see me flinch? Was he trying to see through me? “Do you know why?”
His tone was impossible to read. “I have my suspicions,” I said honestly. “My guess is that you have asked me here because Miss Hanson trespassed in my room and removed a cipher from the book I was reading. She then gave it to Mr. Stone who passed it on to you because of how strange it is.”
Sir Horace’s eyebrows went up. “That is an accurate guess, Nelson.”
“You don’t seem worried about the situation,” Mr. Harper said, stepping closer to Sir Horace’s chair.
Oh, if only he knew how much worry was twisting up my insides. I didn’t even glance at him as I answered. “Why would I be worried? I have done nothing wrong.”
“How do you know Miss Hanson is to blame for stealing the message from you? She has had a long history in this house and has always been honest,” Sir Horace said, his tone sharp. “You would do well to think twice before accusing her of anything.”
He knew it was a message and not some frivolous puzzle. “I have judged the evidence before me,” I informed him. “Miss Hanson was seen around my door yesterday, and she has made it clear she dislikes me. What else was I to think when the cipher went missing, even though I always keep my door locked?”
“Why would you need to keep your door locked?” was his next question. “Do you have secrets to keep from us?”
He had no idea. “At my last post, the son of the house attacked me in my room,” I said, keeping to the truth on this particular detail. “Lady Leith understood I felt uneasy without some security against such an attack happening again.”
My honesty made both men tug at their cravats as though they were uncomfortable. I wished I knew what detail it was that discomposed them. Was it that I, a woman, had been attacked, or that I felt the need to protect myself?
“Dunbar’s sudden ‘illness’ and removal from Bath,” Mr. Harper said in a low voice. He narrowed his eyes. “What did you do to him?”
I lifted my chin and met his gaze. “Only what I was forced to do, Mr. Harper. I warned him to leave me alone and then I defended myself when he did not listen to my warning. I was left little choice in the matter.”
Though he shook his head, there was an expression of admiration and amusement on Mr. Harper’s face. “How, exactly, did you defend yourself?”
Before I could answer, Sir Horace cleared his throat. “I don’t think we need to discuss the matter any further. I do want to know how it is you had this paper in the first place,” the man said, holding up the folded paper. “It does not belong to you.”
Of course he’d recognized it. If I said I’d found it in his secret compartment, he’d want to know why I’d been searching the office. I still wasn’t sure if either of the men were the mysterious ‘H’ mentioned in the cipher found in my brother’s papers. I could not trust either of them, even if they had been my brother’s friends.
“I know there was only one made and yet this is an exact copy,” Sir Horace continued, his eyes narrowing as he stared at me. “The hand alone is different. At some point you must have seen the original and made a copy. How did you come to have it? Come. Tell me!”
“She had it because I asked for her assistance in finding the key to solving the cipher,” Lady Leith’s voice rang out. Twisting around to hide my sigh of relief, I watched my employer sweep into the room. She had a dressing gown over her nightgown and her hair was a tangled mess. “She was comparing it to the poems in the book Miss Hanson removed the cipher from.”
“Celia!” Sir Horace exclaimed, standing up. His tone was one of astonishment. “What are you doing down here?”
“Good morning, Lady Leith,” Mr. Harper said, a blush appearing on his cheeks. He managed a respectful bow, showing more composure. “I was not expecting to see you at this hour of the morning.”
“Really, why did you not speak to me about this before disturbing my maid at her work?” Lady Leith demanded, keeping her eyes on her husband. She showed no shame at b
eing seen in such a dishevelled state. “Nelson answers to me and no other person. Not even you, Horace.”
“My lady, Miss Nelson has been near other situations of national concern,” Mr. Harper said, his tone reasonable. “We only—”
Lady Leith cut him off with a sharp glance. “Mr. Harper, my question was directed at my husband. Not to you.”
National concern? The valet in the Burnham house had been stealing information from his employer and selling it to French spies. What other situation had I been near that had been of concern to the government?
The flush on Mr. Harper’s face deepened and he took a step back. “Celia, please. Allow Harper and I to handle this matter,” Sir Horace said, his town soothing. “There are things you don’t know—”
“And who’s fault is that? Did you imagine that the secret compartment in the desk would remain undetected?” She raised her eyebrow at her husband. “I did find it strange for you to keep my letters in such a place with letters from the government.”
Again, Mr. Harper was tugging on his cravat. He, if I had to hazard a guess, found the situation more uncomfortable than I did. Well, it served him right for being so high-handed! “Then, you were aware of the message being in Miss Nelson’s hands?” he asked, daring to speak up again.
“Of course,” Lady Leith said, barely glancing at him. “After all, two eyes on a problem can be better than one. Since my curiosity is such an inconvenience to you, I shall leave it in your hands and be on my way. With Nelson. I have no desire to go about in my night clothes any more than necessary. We do have guests in the house.”
She spun on her heel and started for the door. “Come along, Nelson,” she said over her shoulder. “My chocolate was cold.”
Before I followed Lady Leith, I took a moment to appreciate the dumbfounded expressions on both men’s faces. Matters had clearly not gone as they had expected. I did regret not knowing the key to the cipher and what it said. There was no way for us ladies to get it back in our hands without causing suspicions..
Clarendon Estate (The Sinclair Society Series, #3) Page 10