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Authors: Wendy May Andrews
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with him.”
“Perhaps not, Pansy, but I have my misgivings. It has all happened so suddenly. I do not know what to think.”
“What seems to be the trouble? I don’t mean to be bold, m’lady, but if you need to talk about it, I’m good to listen.”
Elizabeth could feel that her smile was wan as she directed it at her faithful companion. “I appreciate that, Pansy. The trouble, as you say, is the fact that the earl was previously married and the circumstances surrounding the death of his first wife are mysterious. There is speculation that Lord Sinclair was involved in her death. So while I am disappointed that I am not to have the love match I was hoping for, I am actually terrified that I shan’t have a very long future ahead of me.”
“M’lady!” Pansy was shocked by her mistress’ revelations. “But how could he go about society if he has been accused of killing his wife?”
“Apparently it was never proven. And he is an earl who is well connected, through various relations, to the royal family. There would have to be irrefutable proof to make any accusations like that stick.”
“Bring me with you. I’ll keep you safe,” the loyal maid declared faithfully.
Elizabeth felt tears spring to her eyes at the other woman’s words. “Thank you so much. I do believe I shall take you up on that offer. But are you not afraid for your own safety?”
“I have several strapping brothers who taught me how to defend myself before I went into service. I can protect myself and you.”
Elizabeth clapped her hands with her first feelings of relief since the entire debacle had begun. “Do your brothers live anywhere nearby? Perhaps they could come and teach me a thing or two.”
“All my family lives rather far away, m’lady, I’m sorry to tell you. But I think some of the footmen might know similar tricks. I’ll ask the butler and let you know.”
“Thank you, Pansy, but swear him to secrecy. I cannot imagine Mother thinking this was a good idea.”
Impulsively Elizabeth gave her maid a warm hug just as there was a knock on the door. A footman was there with a message from her mother.
“His lordship, the Earl of Heath, has called to speak with your father, my lady. Her ladyship asks that you present yourself in the morning room as soon as possible in preparation for going for a drive with his lordship.”
It was clear to Elizabeth that the footman was excited and nervous about delivering his important message so she did not give vent to her frustrations. It was neither of the servants’ faults that her mother was throwing her to the wolves. Or one wolf in this particular case. Despite all her misgivings her thoughts brought her amusement and she was able to smile at the footman and her maid as she accepted the summons and followed the footman down the stairs after one last glance at her reflection. If she was going to her doom she wanted to at least look presentable on the way.
Thankfully her mother did not expect her to make conversation. It would seem that now that her objective had been reached she was content and allowed Elizabeth to sit in silence as they waited for the earl to present himself. Elizabeth tried to make some progress on her needlework, but her hands were shaking so much she was pretty sure she would have to remove all of the stitches she was making that morning. In frustration she wanted to hurl the fabric across the room but managed to restrain herself from such a display just as they heard male voices in the hallway.
She could feel the blood ebbing and flowing in her head at the myriads of thoughts jostling for supremacy as the butler announced Lord Sinclair and he entered the room with her father.
“Elizabeth, my dear, his lordship and I have just been working out all the details of your settlements. He has been most generous. And now he would like to spend some time with you. Your mother and I have agreed that it would be acceptable for you to go for a drive for an hour
“Perhaps not, Pansy, but I have my misgivings. It has all happened so suddenly. I do not know what to think.”
“What seems to be the trouble? I don’t mean to be bold, m’lady, but if you need to talk about it, I’m good to listen.”
Elizabeth could feel that her smile was wan as she directed it at her faithful companion. “I appreciate that, Pansy. The trouble, as you say, is the fact that the earl was previously married and the circumstances surrounding the death of his first wife are mysterious. There is speculation that Lord Sinclair was involved in her death. So while I am disappointed that I am not to have the love match I was hoping for, I am actually terrified that I shan’t have a very long future ahead of me.”
“M’lady!” Pansy was shocked by her mistress’ revelations. “But how could he go about society if he has been accused of killing his wife?”
“Apparently it was never proven. And he is an earl who is well connected, through various relations, to the royal family. There would have to be irrefutable proof to make any accusations like that stick.”
“Bring me with you. I’ll keep you safe,” the loyal maid declared faithfully.
Elizabeth felt tears spring to her eyes at the other woman’s words. “Thank you so much. I do believe I shall take you up on that offer. But are you not afraid for your own safety?”
“I have several strapping brothers who taught me how to defend myself before I went into service. I can protect myself and you.”
Elizabeth clapped her hands with her first feelings of relief since the entire debacle had begun. “Do your brothers live anywhere nearby? Perhaps they could come and teach me a thing or two.”
“All my family lives rather far away, m’lady, I’m sorry to tell you. But I think some of the footmen might know similar tricks. I’ll ask the butler and let you know.”
“Thank you, Pansy, but swear him to secrecy. I cannot imagine Mother thinking this was a good idea.”
Impulsively Elizabeth gave her maid a warm hug just as there was a knock on the door. A footman was there with a message from her mother.
“His lordship, the Earl of Heath, has called to speak with your father, my lady. Her ladyship asks that you present yourself in the morning room as soon as possible in preparation for going for a drive with his lordship.”
It was clear to Elizabeth that the footman was excited and nervous about delivering his important message so she did not give vent to her frustrations. It was neither of the servants’ faults that her mother was throwing her to the wolves. Or one wolf in this particular case. Despite all her misgivings her thoughts brought her amusement and she was able to smile at the footman and her maid as she accepted the summons and followed the footman down the stairs after one last glance at her reflection. If she was going to her doom she wanted to at least look presentable on the way.
Thankfully her mother did not expect her to make conversation. It would seem that now that her objective had been reached she was content and allowed Elizabeth to sit in silence as they waited for the earl to present himself. Elizabeth tried to make some progress on her needlework, but her hands were shaking so much she was pretty sure she would have to remove all of the stitches she was making that morning. In frustration she wanted to hurl the fabric across the room but managed to restrain herself from such a display just as they heard male voices in the hallway.
She could feel the blood ebbing and flowing in her head at the myriads of thoughts jostling for supremacy as the butler announced Lord Sinclair and he entered the room with her father.
“Elizabeth, my dear, his lordship and I have just been working out all the details of your settlements. He has been most generous. And now he would like to spend some time with you. Your mother and I have agreed that it would be acceptable for you to go for a drive for an hour
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