Read Online Fenella J Miller by A House Party - Free Book Online Page A

the knuckle of her third finger and
smiled triumphantly. ‘There; it fits as if made for you. Every countess has
worn this and it’s never needed to be altered.’
    ‘Like the glass slipper in the
fairy story - only the true bride can wear the ring.’ A loud knock on what
appeared to be a blank wall startled Penny. ‘Whatever’s that? Surely you don’t
have a servants’ door in the library?’
    ‘We do. My grandfather had this
place constructed with a warren of passageways and staircases running through
it. Every room can be reached without a servant ever being seen.’
    ‘Well! I’m surprised Mary has
been able to find her way down here.’
    ‘We had better let her come in
and repair the damage to your ensemble. It’s ten minutes to seven and our guests will be gathering
in the drawing-room soon.’
    Mary bustled in followed by two
chambermaids carrying a variety of bowls and brushes. They all curtsied and
waited to be given permission to approach.
    ‘I shall leave you to restore
your appearance, Miss Coombs. I shall return in fifteen minutes.’
    The room seemed flat and empty
after he’d gone. Penny beckoned her maid over to her side. ‘I took a tumble and
have torn my gloves. Lord Weston trod on my train.’ She blushed under the
knowing scrutiny of the three young women. She had to tell someone the news
which was bursting to escape.
    ‘Lord Weston and I are betrothed,
Mary. We’re to be wed in September.’
    ‘Oh! Miss Coombs I’m that pleased
for you.’ She glared at the two giggling chambermaids. ‘That’s enough from you
two. There’ll be no gossiping about this if you wish to keep your position
here.’
    ‘Yes, madam. We beg your pardon, Miss Coombs.’ The young girls, in smart grey cotton dresses
and crisply starched white aprons, eyed Penny nervously.
    She realized her announcement had
changed everything. She was no longer a house guest, but the future mistress of
the establishment. It would be her duty to hire and dismiss the indoor staff.
    ‘I hope you brought fresh bandage
and the wherewithal to repair my hair?’
    ‘We did, Miss Coombs.’ The girls
bobbed in unison.
    ‘I have lost one of my ear-bobs.
I need one of you to find it.’
    The fifteen minutes allotted for
restoring her appearance was almost up and the second ear bob had still not
been found. Mary scrambled up from her knees her face a picture of puzzlement.
    ‘Well, it’s a mystery and no
mistake. Shall I ran upstairs and find you something else to wear?’
    ‘There’s no time, Mary. Lord
Weston will be returning at any moment. I shall have to remove the other one.’
Penny patted her hair. ‘This is as good as new, thank you. And I have no need
for evening gloves; I wish to be able to show my ring to Lady Dalrymple.’
    ‘It’s a pity the dressing on your
elbow is so noticeable, miss. A pair of evening gloves would cover it up
nicely.’
    A soft tap on the door caused the
two maids to grab the bowls, and bits and pieces, and vanish hastily through
the concealed door. Penny smiled. It would seem that none of her future
husband’s staff wished to remain in a room with him at any longer than was
necessary.
    ‘That will be all, Mary.’ She
waited until her abigail had also disappeared before
inviting him to enter.
    He strolled in, his eyes alight
with laughter. ‘I believe, my love, that I’ve something of yours.’ He waved the
missing jewel in front of her eyes.
    ‘We’ve been searching everywhere
for that, my lord. Where did you find it?’ She had risen on his entrance and
walked eagerly towards him tilting her head so that he could replace it.
    He chuckled. ‘It was snagged on
my stock. I wonder how it might have lodged there.’
    ‘I cannot imagine, my lord. It is
one of life’s great mysteries. Which reminds me, on my way
here earlier, I saw a suspicious figure hiding in the woods on the far side of
the park. He was too far away to identify, but there was something
familiar about his outline.’ She