Read Online The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble - Free Book Online Page A

could find out about the circumstances leading up to Eleanor’s death.”
    “As you wish, miss.”
    “So how did she seem?” Olivia asked, letting her impatience show in her voice.
    “Perfectly normal. She ate her breakfast, then called for the open motorcar to be brought around. She had a luncheon engagement.”
    “With whom?”
    “She didn’t say.”
    “She was home for dinner?”
    Mrs. Bagley shook her head. “When I heard the front door, it was after midnight. I had the maid take her breakfast up, but the bed was empty. It didn’t appear to have been slept in.”
    “I want to visit Miss Eleanor’s grave. Where might I find it?”
    “There’s a graveyard beside the Mercy Falls Community Church. She’s along the iron fence at the back. Near the biggest tree.”
    “One more question. I heard Eleanor received a letter from her father. Can you confirm that?”
    “I don’t snoop in the mail, Lady Devonworth,” Mrs. Bagley said, her tone offended.
    “Of course not. I didn’t mean to imply you did. Thank you, Mrs. Bagley.” Olivia rushed away, not wanting the housekeeper to see her impending tears.
    She reached the entry and started for the parlor. The sound of carriage wheels rattled through the window. She glanced toward the circular drive and saw Goldia alight from a cab. It would be just like her to blurt out Olivia’s real name in the excitement of being reunited. It would be best for their first meeting here to be in private so the servants wouldn’t be made aware.
    “I’m going to my room for a few minutes,” she told the footman. When confusion clouded his eyes, she brushed past him and rushed up the steps. He would wonder why she was explaining her movements to him.
    In the sanctuary of her chamber, she sat in the upholstered chair by the window and listened for her maid’s footsteps. Olivia had chosen this room the moment she saw it. The colors of palest blue with touches of yellow were her favorite.
    Goldia’s quarters would be on the third floor at the back of the house. Perhaps Olivia could creep up the back stairway and find her. She waited for ten minutes, then opened her door and slipped into the hall. No one was about. The rooms and halls were confusing, and she got turned around twice before she found the door to the third floor. The steps creaked under her feet, and she winced, then reminded herself it would be perfectly natural for her to be exploring the manor.
    The third floor was well lit. She went from door to door and realized the entire floor was a ballroom with the exception of a bathroom and enormous butler’s pantry. She’d seen the ballroom when Harrison first brought her here, but she’d thought the servants’ rooms would be up here too. She found another set of stairs and ascended them to the attic. As soon as she stepped onto the wide, unpainted boards, she heard voices. The servants’ quarters had to be here. She ducked down a hall as the door ahead opened and the chambermaid stepped out. Once the woman went down the steps, Olivia tiptoed to the room the woman had vacated.
    Goldia stood by the window. A white cap covered her blond hair, and her normally pink cheeks were pale. Olivia gave a curious glance around the room. She’d never been in a servant’s room before. Her mother had always taken care of the staff. The starkness surprised her. No rug on the floor, minimal furnishings, and an iron bed with peeling paint were the only furnishings.
    She shut the door behind her. “Goldia,” she whispered, holding a finger to her lips as her maid whirled to face her with wide eyes.
    “M-Miss Olivia?” the girl stammered. “Oh my dear Miss Olivia! I thought you were dead until that nice lightkeeper told me different!” She flew across the room to throw her arms around Olivia in an extravagant gesture. “I was so relieved when I got the message.”
    Olivia hugged her back, relishing the relief in the tight embrace. “Shh, Goldia, remember that you can’t tell