Between Sunrise and Sunset, page 6
Jane stifled a laugh, turning to Lainey. “I’m Jane,” the girl said. “And don’t worry about her.” She nodded in the housekeeper’s direction. “She’s frequently grumbling about one matter or another. What was your name?”
“Alaina. Alaina Clarkson, but most people call me Lainey.”
“Welcome to Montrose,” she said, ignoring Lainey’s reply. “Come on, follow me, I’ll show you around.”
Jane turned and started up the stairs, chattering as they climbed a full three flights. Why was it that servants’ quarters were either in a dark, dank basement or up several flights of stairs? Didn’t the owners ever think about how tiring it was at the end of the day to climb all those stairs?
As Lainey had the thought, she heard Jane say, “I believe we should have the rooms on the second floor. Don’t they realize how tired we are at the end of the day?
Lainey smiled, taking an instant liking to the girl. She was rather plain to look at, average height, skinny, brown hair and eyes, but those same eyes sparkled with life, making her prettier than she may have appeared without them.
Slightly out of breath, the two girls stopped at the landing on the third floor. Lainey scanned the area. The walls were painted white, appearing rather sterile. The comforting scent of beeswax candles had disappeared, along with smoke from the fires. Lainey hoped that extra blankets would be provided in the winter months. And although the house was new to Lainey, it somehow felt familiar as well. All the homes she had worked in held this same feeling—stately, old, as if it held a myriad of secrets.
The stair landing was between two hallways sectioned off by white painted doors, one hallway being longer than the other. Jane pointed down the shorter.
“The men’s quarters,” she explained. “The family is quite insistent that these doors are closed at night.” She gave a wicked grin. “Keeps the men from joining us.”
“Or us from joining the men,” Lainey replied, causing Jane to laugh.
“I think I’m going to like you.”
Down at the end of the women’s hallway was a floor-to-ceiling window that allowed light to filter through. Jane led Lainey to a door at the end of the hallway. Inside was a plain room with a small, solitary window, and several large wardrobes. Jane opened the wardrobe next to the window revealing shelves of bedding: sheets, pillows and pillowcases, wool blankets, and bath towels. Jane pulled out the pillow first and handed it to Lainey, who cradled it across her arms, so Jane could pass off the other items. After stacking the bedding and towels in Lainey’s arms, Jane walked over to another wardrobe. Pulling it open, she revealed several servant dresses. The entire time, she kept up a steady stream of chatter.
“Where are you from?” she asked Lainey, as she pulled a black dress from the wardrobe and measured it across Lainey’s back.
Lainey hesitated for a moment, unsure whether the girl meant where Lainey was born or last worked. She decided on the former.
“I grew up in London.”
Jane leaned against the wardrobe door, a dreamy expression on her face. “Oh. You’re from London?”
“I grew up there.”
“I’ve dreamed of going to London.”
“It’s not as glamorous as it sounds. Especially not for the likes of us. It’s crowded and dirty…”
“But if you went with a family it would be different.” Jane rehung the first dress and pulled out another. “If only poor Charlotte wasn’t being married off to that old man. She won’t get a season if this marriage arrangement goes forward.”
Lainey hadn’t realized that Charlotte’s comment about taking a maid with her when she married was an approaching event.
“You don’t happen to be good with a needle, do you?” Jane asked.
“I am. My mother taught me how to sew before she died.”
“If this dress doesn’t fit, you can alter it later. Mrs. Hollingsworth will be happy to know you can use a needle.” Jane draped the black dress over her arm, selected a cap and collar, and headed for the door. Lainey followed.
Down the hall, three doors to the left, Jane opened another door and stood aside for Lainey to enter. The room was small, the only light came in from the hallway. The only furnishings were a bed and dresser with a small, dirty mirror that had several black spots close to the edges. Jane laid the dress she carried across the bed.
“Let me get you a lantern,” she said, stepping back into the hallway.
Lainey hugged the bedding in her arms. As she suspected, the room was chilly. There was little space between the bed on the left and the dresser on the right—just enough to open the drawers. With the door closed and a candle or lantern burning, the quarters were going to feel close. A concern, but nothing that couldn’t be overcome. And…she thought, at least I don’t have to share it with anyone.
Jane returned with a lit lantern. Setting it on the dresser, she turned about and took a sheet from Lainey’s arms, opening it with a flourish.
“I can help you get set up,” she said. “And fill you in on a few protocols. You should be out of bed by five in the morning to take care of preparing the house for the family. Of course, Charlotte will let you know what time she’ll need your assistance. We have breakfast in the servants’ room off the kitchen. I can show you that later. We’re paid one time a month. Mr. Hollingsworth distributes wages on the last day. We’re expected to attend church on the Sabbath.”
“I already am acquainted with Reverend Porter,” Lainey said.
“And you’ll be given one afternoon off a week to take care of personal matters,” Jane continued as if Lainey had not spoken. “Do you have any questions about that?”
Lainey shook her head.
“Good,” Jane said as she finished tucking the wool blanket around the mattress. “I’ll give you a moment to change. Afterwards I can show you around the house and tell you about the family and staff.” Jane was a gossip. Every household had at least one, usually there were many more.
When the girl had slipped from the room, Lainey welcomed the immediate quiet. Since arriving at Montrose, Lainey had been a mixture of emotions. She was going to miss the Porters. They were kind and treated her well. But this was a chance to earn money to buy passage to Barbados. And Jane was friendly enough. More so than anyone at Harlsburg Manor.
When she’d first arrived at Harlsburg, she’d overheard a footman mention that Lainey was too pretty to be household staff—she’d soon have other duties to fulfill. A shudder ran down her spine. He must have known about Master Warrington. A warning would have been nice.
Quietly, she sighed. Hopefully, here at Montrose, the staff would be similar to Jane and less subject to petty jealousies. Certainly, those at Harlsburg had to know she’d never wanted the advances of any male in the household. But if Montrose was the same, she figured she could put up with most discomforts for a few months.
Slipping out of her skirt and blouse, she laid the garments across the foot of her bed. Standing in her undergarments, she saw her reflection in the mirror, her gold locket shining against her skin. She unclasped it, and taking it in hand, rubbed her finger across the engraved letter ‘D.’ Ivy scrolled in and through the letter, adding to its beauty. She popped the locket open and gazed at the images of her mother and grandmother. Lainey never knew her grandmother but had heard stories of the lady. Kind stories of how her grandmother taught Lainey’s mother how to read and sew—talents that she’d passed on to her daughter.
Memories of her father surfaced as well—the night he’d presented the locket to Lainey.
“This was your mother’s,” he’d said. “She’d want you to have it.” He’d laid the locket with its long gold chain in her hand. Lainey was sure she’d never seen such a beautiful piece of jewelry. The locket had to be special. Her father could have sold it for much-needed monies, but he never had, deciding to deliver it to Lainey at just the right moment. And it had been the right moment, for the next morning he died. She flattened her mouth as she fought the urge to kick the corner of the bed. What good would that do? She’d be left with a sore foot and no justice. And her father would still be gone.
Life after her father’s death had been cruel, but Lainey knew it could have been worse, much worse. The neighbor, Mrs. Pruitt, took her and Robert in, although she could scarce afford to. Lainey was forever grateful to the woman.
Realizing she’d spent too much time dawdling, Lainey quickly slipped on the black dress—yes, it would need to be taken in later. But she must not keep Jane waiting.
When Lainey stepped out into the hallway, she found Jane talking with another member of the household staff— a small girl wearing a cap and apron.
“Lainey, this is Mary. She’s one of the chamber maids. Mary, this is Miss Charlotte’s new abigale, Alaina.”
The woman clapped her hands together. “Oh, Mrs. James will be happy. She’s often said she’s much too old to be chasing after Miss Montgomery.”
So, it was mutual, Lainey thought.
“You will love the Montgomerys,” Mary gushed. “They are a great family to work for. Lady Montgomery runs a tight household, but she’s fair, and astute. Not much goes on without her notice. You can count on her to handle matters quietly, even if she is displeased with your work. I’ve never seen her let anyone go. Most have left of their own accord.”
“Silly to leave, in my mind,” Jane added. “I’ve been here near on five years. My mother hired me out at fourteen. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I live much better now than I ever did at home. I had to share with seven other siblings. Here, I have my own bed, and meals that are more than thin soup and stale bread. I’ll never go back. Ever,” she added, mostly to herself.
“Did Jane explain the rules?” Mary asked as the three girls walked toward the staircase. “There are supposed to be no romantic attachments between staff members. But I’m not aware of how much mind the Montgomerys pay to what actually goes on. Ruth, who works in the kitchen, and Everette, one of the stable hands, have had an attachment for some time now. If anyone has noticed—and I can’t imagine how they could have missed it—no one has said a word. Leonard knows all about it, so I suspect that Master Phillip knows as well. Leonard is his valet,” she said. “And honestly, I think Leonard has had a romantic interest in Charlotte for a long time.”
“Really?” Lainey was amazed that such an attraction hadn’t led to the man’s dismissal.
“Miss Charlotte is as much as engaged to Sir Markhall.” Jane took Lainey by the arm and added in a low voice, “After having seen Sir Markhall, if I were Charlotte, I’d be begging for a different match. A servant would be better than Markhall.”
“Sir Markhall is an old coot—older than Master Phillip,” Mary said.
“And how old is that?” Lainey asked.
“Master Phillip is at least eight and twenty. Mistress Charlotte is barely seventeen.” Jane shivered. The three women exited the stairway, emptying out on the second floor of the manor.
Mary stopped Jane with a touch on her arm. “Have you told her about Master Phillip?” She spoke so quietly that Lainey had to strain to hear.
Jane’s eyes widened. “Not yet.” She glanced toward Lainey who swallowed hard. Oh no, not another philanderer. “But I will. I’ll warn her.”
“Good,” Mary said. “She needs to know.” The girl stood a bit straighter and smoothed her skirt. “I need to get busy. Nice to have you with us, Lainey. I’ll see you at dinner.”
“I look forward to it,” Lainey replied. Mary quickly walked toward other rooms needing attention. After she was gone, Lainey turned to Jane with an expression that said, “What was that about?”
Jane offered an apologetic smile. “I’ll explain later. Here…let me show you Miss Charlotte’s chambers.” She opened a dark wood door that creaked. Jane stepped inside, Lainey following immediately behind. It was a lovely room with a wood dressing table topped with a tri-fold mirror. The four-poster bed was directly across from a fireplace with glowing embers making the room comfortable at present. In size, the room was similar to the rooms at Harlsburg, but it held none of the foreboding that she’d experienced there. In fact, the colors and furniture arrangement were welcoming.
Jane pointed toward a door in the corner. “Her dressing area is in there. She has the most exquisite mirror—floor to ceiling.” Before Lainey had a chance to peek behind the door, Jane was already escorting her away.
“This is Master Kenton’s room.” Jane said, opening another door.
“Is Master Kenton a brother?”
“Yes, between Master Phillip and Lady Charlotte. He’s headed off to Cambridge soon.”
They stepped inside. There was nothing to recommend the room. Another four-poster bed covered in thick down coverlets stood as the centerpiece. A large fireplace adorned an adjacent wall as it had in Charlotte’s room.
“Master Kenton is everyone’s favorite,” Jane said. “And…he’s as handsome as a king!”
Lainey chuckled. “I never supposed kings to be handsome simply because they were kings.”
“Of course they are! Being queen would be thoroughly dull if the king were not handsome.”
The reasoning was a bit faulty, but it made Lainey smile, nonetheless. Jane was going to be delightful to work with.
They walked a little further down the hallway, stopping outside another dark wood door.
“This is Master Phillip’s room.” Jane said, laying a hand on Lainey’s arm. She glanced up and down the hallway, then leaned close to Lainey. “He’s an odd one,” she said just above a whisper. “A bit daft since his wife died, if you ask me. He talks to ghosts.”
So that’s what Mary had meant. Better to talk to ghosts than ravish servants.
And yet. “Ghosts?” A chill ran up Lainey’s spine.
“You’ll hear him from time to time. He talks to Lady Katherine—his departed wife. She must continue to walk these halls.” Both girls peeked up and down the hallway as if they might catch sight of the apparition. “I think Lord and Lady Montgomery fear for his sanity as well. They’ve arranged a marriage for him with Miss Marianne Hilton. I think they secretly hope it will lay Lady Katherine’s ghost to rest.”
“Who is this Miss Hilton?”
“Marianne Hilton,” Jane said, her voice returning to normal volume. “She’s a favorite friend of Miss Charlotte’s. They’ve been thick as thieves since they were children. There’s a dinner plan in the works to announce the engagement…possibly two if Lord Montgomery has his way.”
“I’d heard about one marriage when I met with Lady Montgomery.”
“The engagement is big news. We were all a bit surprised. He’s never shown any interest in remarrying or in Miss Hilton.”
“Certainly, he wouldn’t marry her if he had no affection for the lady.”
Jane shrugged as she pushed open the door. “Lady Katherine redid this room soon after they were wed. Master Phillip hasn’t moved a single trinket since her passing. When we dust, we are sure to replace each item exactly where we found it.”
“Is he that meticulous?” Lainey asked as she stepped into the room, promptly forgetting the question. “Oh.” She surveyed the room. The walls were burnt sienna in color, a large, canopied bed with red curtains draped from the top stood between two windows. A chandelier with glass globes hung from the ceiling with matching sconces on three of the four walls. But all of that was secondary to the portrait that hung over the fireplace.
“Is this Lady Katherine?” Lainey asked as she approached the painting. The woman in the picture had penetrating copper eyes and glossy dark hair. The expression on her face was mystifying, as if she were hiding a great secret. Also, plainly evident in the portrait was the exceptional amount of love that radiated from her eyes. If that love had been for Master Phillip, no doubt he’d had a difficult time in letting her go.
“Yes,” Jane answered with a sense of reverence.
“She was beautiful.”
“She was. And as kind as she was beautiful. She made Master Phillip beautiful as well. They shared an unqualified love. Everyone remarked on how unusual it was. I’ve certainly never seen two people share such affection. I can only hope to have such a love one day.” Jane’s voice had gone wistful.
“My parents were like that,” Lainey whispered.
Jane stepped up beside her to admire the painting. “I pity Miss Hilton. I doubt that Master Phillip will ever love her as he loved Lady Katherine.”
“Maybe he will learn to love her.”
Jane scoffed. “It’s an arranged marriage—all Lord Montgomery’s doing. He’s rather concerned that there be an heir for the estate.”
“It will be a pity if the younger master cannot learn to love Miss Hilton. If he doesn’t, there’s not much hope of exorcising the ghost, is there?”
“True,” Jane said with a shake of the head. “But…it is not our problem to worry over or repair. We need to move on. There is so much more house to show you.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“If there is anybody here I have not offended,
I apologize.”
–Johannes Brahms
Phillip’s mind replayed his most recent conversation with Katherine as he approached the parlor. Together, they’d concocted a plan. He hoped it worked. If he could dodge this wedding and at the same time manage to reassure his parents and the staff that he was in full control of his faculties, then maybe…maybe he could marry when he was ready. Of course, his parents wanted to believe that he had not lost his mind to grief, therefore they would be easy to convince—the staff on the other hand could prove more difficult.
After Katherine’s death, when his visions of Katherine began in earnest, to the point of his talking with her, his parents had scrutinized him at every turn, looking for signs that he’d lost touch with reality, or that he might do something to harm himself. Phillip’s parents never understood that Katherine was his lifeline. If he could keep on talking to her it would make him strong, capable of moving on. But when they decided that Phillip might harm himself, they insisted that he stop the playacting. He learned to keep the visits, real or imagined, to himself. Occasionally, a member of the household staff would happen upon him as he talked with Katherine. Those moments kept the servants gossiping about Phillip’s sanity and, suspicious as they were, that ghosts might be haunting the manor house.
