Read Online Unlikely Traitors by Clare Langley-Hawthorne - Free Book Online

had even overheard her voicing her qualms to Biggs, but she had never thought, never even considered, that it would come to this. She could not have predicted that a threat to Lord Wrotham’s reputation, rather than her own, would have finally tipped the scales.
    “She thinks it’s because of my influence, doesn’t she?” Ursula said hoarsely. Biggs was in no doubt who she was talking about. He nodded as Ursula stumbled to take a seat in the armchair behind the large mahogany desk.
    “Where are they?” Ursula asked,
    “Mrs. Stewart and Bridget are both in their quarters upstairs. I told them they’d best pack and be ready to leave.”
    “Yes, I see,” Ursula replied, but truth be told she felt as though she was only beginning to comprehend the full ramifications of Lord Wrotham’s arrest.
    “Before you send them down,” Ursula said slowly, dreading what she must now ask. “Tell me what of Cook? What about Samuels? Or Julia?”
    “Cook informed me she is too set in her ways to seek another position. She will stay.”
    “Hardly a ringing endorsement,” Ursula murmured. “But I thank her for it.”
    “Samuels also intends to stay, for now at least. Although, he confided in me that he has received an offer to take up an apprenticeship as a garage mechanic. I fear he may not be long in domestic service.”
    “And Julia?” Ursula swallowed quickly. “What has she said?”
    “As you are no doubt aware, Julia has become increasingly drawn to missionary work, but she appears content to minister to you, for the time-being.” Ursula detected a note of censure in his voice as if she had been naive to expect anything more.
    Mechanically, Ursula reached over and lifted the lid of the silver cigarette box that her father had always kept on his desk. With shaking fingers she lit a cigarette and tried to restore some semblance of equanimity. Ursula leaned back in her chair and drew on the cigarette. Was she really little more than an object of their pity?
    “Now, I must ask about you,” she hesitated. “You who have always shown my family such loyalty, must I see you leave as well?”
    “You need never ask the question,” Biggs answered and his gaze never wavered. “I remain, as I have always been. I hope I need say no more.”
    “No,” Ursula replied with a weak smile, “and, please, forgive me for asking. I should have known better than to doubt you.”
    Biggs bowed stiffly. A slight flush behind his ears the only sign of his discomfiture.
    “Shall I send in Bridget and Mrs. Stewart?” he asked.
    “No,” Ursula replied. “Summon the others. I want to speak to them first.”
    Biggs looked uncertain.
    “It is all right, Biggs,” Ursula reassured him. “I will not take long, and I trust you know me well enough to know that I won’t throw Mrs. Stewart or Bridget out on the streets after dark. Samuels can either drive them or they can stay tonight and leave first thing in the morning. I have no intention of doing anything that may provoke undue attention or comment.”
    Biggs simply nodded and then exited the room to fetch the other servants.
    Ursula closed her eyes and prepared herself.
    Biggs was the first to enter, followed by Samuels, who, in his chauffeur’s uniform and boots, still reeked of grease and petrol. Ursula was sure he had been hard at work checking that she hadn’t caused any damage to the Bugatti during her trip to Bromley Hall. Samuels was very protective of her motor cars and, despite successfully teaching Ursula to drive, remained skeptical that women should be allowed on the road at all. Cook arrived next, wiping her hands on her white apron and straightening her cap. She rarely left the kitchen and looked ill at ease in the unfamiliar surroundings of Ursula’s study. Catching sight of one of Ursula’s latest acquisitions, a lithograph by Paul Klee, she gave a sniff of disapproval. Finally Julia walked in the room, clutching the bible that was now her constant companion. She