Christmas Box Set, page 4
'Mrs. Blake, I am as strong as a horse and we both know it. I admit I have lost weight, and do not sleep as well as I might, but a little outside exercise never did me any harm. My head cold has all but gone, and only someone with a healthy constitution would have recovered so quickly.'
'Why don't you retire to your rooms, get yourself warm and dry and put your feet up for a bit? I shall send Tilly and Jenny along with hot water for you. I shall send up a tray in half an hour when you're warm and dry.'
Elizabeth hurried up the back stairs and out onto the nursery floor. There was still ice on the inside of the windows at the far end of the corridor that overlooked the park. She shivered at the thought of having a wash in such unpleasant conditions. Upon entering the schoolroom, which doubled as her parlour, she stopped in surprise. Fires had been lit at both ends of the room, two baskets of logs and four scuttles of coal stood ready by each grate. She ran into her bedchamber and found the same had been done for her there. Small wonder Mrs. Blake had been eager for her to return to her apartments.
Her ablutions were a pleasure. She would have enjoyed it more if there had been sufficient water to fill a tub. She managed by standing in a basin and tipping the water over herself when necessary. After dressing in a warm tea-gown of damask rose twill, she used the remainder of the water to sponge the mud from the hem of her velvet gown. The gown would dry beautifully hanging over the back of a chair in front of one of the fires.
Her tray had arrived with the expected treats and a mug of steaming chocolate and a slice of cook's delicious plum cake. This was a feast indeed and for the first time in many months, she would do justice to her meal. She had just pushed away her plate and shaken the crumbs from her gown when the door of the school room flew open.
Lady Hartford stood framed in the doorway, crimson egret feathers bobbing wildly in her turban. Her eyes were hard, her lips thin. She stared around the chamber with growing disbelief.
'As I thought. Someone shall be dismissed for this, young lady. I gave no sanction to you having one fire in here, and you now have two. I'll not be ignored in this way.' Her eyes snapped with venom. 'And where, pray, did the flowers and fruit come from?'
'I ordered the fires. The footmen could hardly disobey me as they have been following my orders for many years. The fruit and flowers came from Sir James; you must take the matter up with him.'
This only added to her ladyship's fury. Elizabeth continued.
'I wished to be warm for once. So now I shall tell you what I intended to keep secret. I have accepted the position of governess with a prestigious family in Yorkshire. I will take up my employment immediately after Christmas. I have already booked my seat on the mail coach.'
For a moment, her adversary seemed startled by this statement, then she rallied. Lady Hartford had the same triumph in her expression as Amelia's earlier. 'That's an excellent idea, for you are not welcome here. With you gone, we shall not be constantly reminded we are but recent arrivals and neither will we have to support an ingrate.'
'Then you will dismiss no one? Allow me to have a final Christmas in comfort, one last opportunity to join in the festivities before leaving forever?'
'Amelia told me you insinuated yourself into the young men's regard and invited yourself to the ball. This shall be your swansong, miss. Do not think you may come down to dine with us, or fraternise with the guests in future. That would be the outside of enough. Be satisfied you may remain in luxury up here and attend our gala occasion the day after tomorrow.'
Standing straight and proud, Elizabeth did not flinch. 'If there is nothing else, madam, I bid you good day.'
Unused to being dismissed by someone who was usually too cowed and beholden to fight back, her ladyship fired her final riposte. 'I warn you, miss, that if you disobey me in this matter I shall turn away six of the oldest staff. They shall leave this house when you do.'
The door slammed shut behind her. Elizabeth wished she'd not eaten so heartily for her stomach threatened to rebel. This was the one thing she feared the most; there were several elderly retainers who had been with the family for the whole of their working life, if they were dismissed they would surely starve.
This was unthinkable. How could Grandfather have been so remiss? He had been the kindest of men, never had a cross word to say to anyone and was respected and loved by everyone throughout his vast estate. Why had the second copy of his will not been found? He must have had the foresight to provide for his staff and herself.
The fact that the lawyer who had drawn up the will was now deceased had meant that only the heir could be traced. The original document had been lost in a fire so even the names of the witnesses were not known. Goodness — legal crows had ransacked the study to find the errant document. Without the actual evidence, she could do nothing about it. There was no point in repining. She must protect these people until she finally departed.
Tears filled her eyes as she realised the futility of this. Half the staff would be sent packing as soon as she had gone. They would be replaced by people who would not cast judgements on the new Lord and Lady Hartford and find them wanting. She was in no position to provide for her loyal retainers; she barely had enough to take her safely to her employment. The urge to hurl the coal scuttle at the door almost overwhelmed her. Her nails bit into her palms. She swallowed and drew a steadying breath — only a few more days and she would be free of them. She couldn't wait.
*
The Christmas ball was to be held on the 23rd of December; it would not be seemly to have such an occasion on Christmas Eve itself. Last year, the house had still been in mourning so the Hall had not been decorated. Whatever Lady Hartford said, Elizabeth was determined to organise the greenery. She wanted one last chance to see the house decked out in its festive finery.
She would leave Amelia in charge of the decorations until teatime, by then she would have become bored and abandoned the assignment. At that juncture, no one could possibly object if she stepped in to complete the work. She paced the length of the schoolroom, unable to enjoy the unaccustomed warmth. Her emotions were in turmoil, thinking about the fate of the servants who had devoted their lives to the Hartford family.
She could not remain here as instructed; she would creep down to the study. This room was seldom used; the present earl took no interest in running the estate and relinquished all that to the manager. Mr. Bishop could achieve a far better result left to his own devices than if someone like Lord Hartford constantly interfered. As long as his lordship saw funds flowing into his coffers, he would be satisfied.
Although the fire in the study was unlit, someone had left it ready for her to push a taper into the kindling. The curtains were half drawn, the large desk and the other items of furniture undusted. She would occupy her time rectifying these omissions. Grandfather had loved this room and they had spent many happy hours together in front of the fire.
The library ran the entire length of the upper floor. The chamber was not conducive to a comfortable conversation; one would be obliged to shout to make oneself heard on the other side of the room. Over the years, she had selected books to read and then taken them down to the study where she would curl up in an armchair and watch her grandfather work at his extraordinary desk. He had told her the desk came from far off India, where it had been crafted especially for him and carried across the Himalayas on the backs of two donkeys.
No doubt, the current incumbents disliked the faded furnishings and elderly armchairs. Fortunately, Lady Hartford's ruthless improvements had not reached this room. It would be heartbreaking to see it transformed into yet another homage to the Egyptians.
The cleaning materials she required were kept in a large cupboard downstairs in the servants' quarters. She stopped to talk to several maids and footmen on her way. They were eager to tell her that Amelia had already abandoned the flower room and retreated to the grand drawing room where the young people were organising a pantomime to be performed on the day after Christmas. No doubt, the older folk were occupied in other pursuits. She was sure they would not wish to participate in anything so active as a pantomime.
With the wooden box filled with beeswax polish, dusters and a damp cloth, she hurried back to the study. Once inside, she donned her apron. Now the fire was alight it would be a shame to waste the fuel. When the room was pristine once more, she would take over where Amelia had left off.
An hour later, she was satisfied everything was as it should be — apart from the desk itself. This was an ornate item and had many drawers and nooks and crannies and she had no time to polish this today. She tucked the cleaning materials under the kneehole and, still enveloped in her apron and voluminous cap, she headed for the flower room.
The sound of voices and activity inside meant the staff had not also abandoned the job. This was good news. Twining holly, ivy and other evergreens into the garlands needed to drape across the over mantels in all the reception rooms was an arduous task.
'Miss Baverstock, thank goodness you have come to organise matters. We are sadly adrift here, and have no notion how to do things.'
Sir James was standing at the sink in his shirtsleeves, vainly attempting to weave the material together. Several other guests were in there also; none of them were known to her. She hesitated in the doorway, uncertain if she should blatantly disobey Lady Hartford's instructions. If Amelia and Eleanor and the Bloomfield gentlemen were not with this party, perhaps she could do this and remain undetected by the family.
'It's very kind of you all to offer to help. I'm afraid I have only been introduced to Sir James.'
*
'Allow me to introduce you. The remainder of the house party are involved with playacting. We are the remnants who do not enjoy such pas- times.' He proceeded to name the others and Miss Baverstock curtsied politely to each.
He could not help contrasting this tall, plain girl with the two beautiful Hart- ford girls. However, there was something about her that wrung his heartstrings, made him want to protect her. Although she was of far stronger character than Eleanor, she had a vulnerability about her the other girl did not.
She proceeded to organise them ruthlessly. Within half an hour, the first garland was ready to be carried into the entrance hall and all the participants in the exercise were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Four young footmen had been summoned to carry the object.
'I must supervise the positioning of this. Can I trust the rest of you to continue with your tasks without slacking in my absence?'
The two young ladies and the other gentlemen sang out their agreement. 'Miss Baverstock, you are a hard taskmaster, but are your servants not to have refreshments?'
'Of course, Miss Culley, but not until we have completed the decorations for the vestibule.' Her extraordinary violet eyes were sparkling with mischief; she was almost pretty when she was animated.
'I demand we stop for afternoon tea as soon as you return. This is not negotiable; your workers will lay down their tools if they are denied sustenance.'
'In which case, Sir James, I suggest you ring the bell above your head and order what you require. However, I think we cannot join the others in our current dishevelment. Would you care to take tea in the study? I lit a fire earlier, it will be far warmer there then it is in here.'
He bowed and grabbed the bell strap. Unfortunately, his tug was too vigorous and the strap came away, covering him in plaster. Her laughter at his predicament was worth the discomfort of having half the ceiling down his neck.
'Oh, dear! How unfortunate, I do believe that now, Sir James, I cannot even allow you into the study.' He could hear her laughing as she directed the footmen carrying the first of the garlands.
Somehow, he thought this girl didn't have cause to laugh very often.
*
The greenery, interwoven with red and green ribbon, looked stunning draped across the mantel. All it needed to be complete were the fat yellow candles pushed in amongst it. 'George, will you hang this wreath of holly above the fireplace? Bill, please climb up the stepladder and attach the bunch of mistletoe to the central chandelier.'
There were several smaller garlands to drape along the windowsills, and arrangements of silver and gold painted fir cones, interspersed with ribbons, to put out on the various pieces of furniture. As she prepared to collect the other items Sir James arrived, still liberally covered with plaster and without his jacket, carrying one of the swags. He was followed closely by the other guests with the remaining decorations.
'Miss Baverstock, where would you like these things placed?'
She could hardly tell him she was forbidden to fraternise with the guests or that at any moment Amelia might appear and carry tales to Lady Hartford. 'You are all so kind. The garlands are for the windowsills, the baskets of fir cones are to go on the sideboards and tables.'
Amidst much hilarity, her assistants did as she bid. She flinched every time she heard a voice from the drawing room. Sir James must have observed her nervousness for he came across and drew her to one side where they could not be overheard.
'Miss Baverstock, you must not worry about being taken to task. I can assure you that whilst I am here I shall make it my business — '
'Oh no, sir, you must not bother yourself on my behalf. It will just cause unpleasantness. Lady Hartford is already annoyed with you for sending up your gifts. I don't wish to upset her further.'
'I have broad shoulders, my dear, so please allow me to stand between you.'
For some reason, she found herself pouring out all that had transpired that day and his face changed from friendly to ferocious. She wished she'd held her tongue; now she had offended him as well by her tale bearing.
'That is outrageous; you have as much right to mingle with the guests as the Hartfords. And to threaten you in that way is inexcusable. I insist that you dine with us tonight. I can promise you will not be slighted.'
Her distress over her interview with her ladyship evaporated beneath his concern. 'I prefer to dine in my own chambers, thank you, Sir James. But in future I shall certainly make sure I am around during the day to join in the festivities.'
'You are coming to the ball, are you not? You will not hide upstairs when that is taking place?'
When he smiled at her she felt anything was possible. 'I am so looking forward to it. Do you know I have never been to a formal dance of any sort? To attend such a grand occasion will be truly wonderful.'
'I trust that you have not been given the task of decorating the ballroom as well as the other chambers.'
'Of course not, that is a duty given to Mrs. Blake and Mr. Foster. They are much better suited to such an assignment than I.' She stepped back to admire their work and was delighted by the charming effect she had created. 'Thank you all so much for helping me. I shall fully understand if you do not wish to continue after tea as you have done more than enough already.'
Miss Culley, a diminutive young lady with russet curls and an impish smile, impulsively threw her arms around her. 'Miss Baverstock, I declare I've never had so much fun in all my life as I've had this afternoon. I, for one, shall continue until the whole house looks as beautiful as this grand space.'
'Please, won't you call me Elizabeth? I believe we are already firm friends.' 'And you must call me Sarah. Come along everyone. I can smell tea and hot scones somewhere down this passageway.'
Sir James stepped up and offered his arm. 'Allow me to escort you to the study, Miss Baverstock.' He grinned down at her. 'Or rather, would you escort me, as I have no notion where to find this chamber.'
Chapter Ten
Cook had excelled herself. Not only was there tea and coffee, but also a substantial plate of warm scones, a bowl of thickly whipped cream and strawberry conserve. Elizabeth was pleased her new friends had been treated to one of Cook's specialties. Two smiling parlour maids were there to serve them.
Soon they were all sitting around comfortably; Mr. Miller and Mr. Crew perched on the window seats, Sarah and Mrs. Miller were seated in the battered armchairs whilst she and Sir James sat in splendid isolation at the huge desk. For a considerable time, one could only hear contented munching.
'Absolutely delicious, Miss Baverstock,' Mr. Miller said, wiping his sticky fingers on a clean linen napkin. 'Normally I'm not one for sweet things, as my dear wife will agree. However, if these scrumptious morsels appear again I shall certainly be first in line.'
Judging by the size of his waist, Mr. Miller was not being strictly truthful. Smiling Elizabeth drained her teacup. 'I'm so glad I took the time to clean this room earlier; otherwise there would have been a layer of dust to add to your white coating, Sir James.' She ran her finger over the carved surface of the desk and shook her head. 'Unfortunately, I didn't have time to polish this monstrosity.'
'Ah! I had wondered why I was sharing foot space with a box of cleaning materials.' Without warning, he vanished under the desk to reappear with the wooden box. 'Come along, ladies and gentlemen, our domestic chores are not complete. We must polish this desk before we return to the flower room.'
Elizabeth leapt to her feet in consternation. This would not do; for her to be engaged in a servant's duties was one thing, but quite another for the guests. Arranging Christmas greenery was quite acceptable, but polishing a desk was not. 'Please, there is no need. No one uses this room; indeed I don't think I've been in here more than a couple of times since…since my grandfather passed over.'
Sir James had other ideas. He was rather a highhanded gentleman with a tendency to take command quite unnecessarily.
'If you have completed your repast, I suggest Miss Culley remains behind with Miss Baverstock and myself to complete this duty. The rest of you have a dozen more garlands to make.'
Sarah smiled and pointed to the mistletoe. 'I do hope you intend to put bunches of that in the ballroom as well as the hall?'
