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Authors: Clare Langley-Hawthorne
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looked around anxiously, noting Mrs. Stewart and Bridget’s absence.
Ursula cleared her throat and began: “I know these are difficult times, but I want to reassure you all that I am grateful for your continued loyalty and support.” She looked around, trying to gauge their reaction. “Your loyalty will, however, be sorely tested in the coming weeks. This morning a notice appeared in The Times announcing that I have called off my engagement to Lord Wrotham.”
Julia went pale and swayed dangerously. Samuels reached over and steadied her before escorting her to a chair. Cook responded with a snort of disgust. She was never one to countenance Julia’s ‘overwrought’ emotions, as she called them.
“I must, for all our sakes, distance myself from what has happened,” Ursula continued. “I warn you that we —and I do mean all of us—will be subject to a great deal of unwanted publicity, not to say distress, over the coming weeks. Already there are two amongst us, Mrs. Stewart and Bridget, who have decided to leave rather than face such scrutiny.”
Ursula waited for the full import of her words to sink in. It was hard to say such things to a group of people she had known and trusted most her life, but she knew it had to be done. She took a deep breath, dreading what had to come next. “I do not wish anyone who feels at all compromised by what has happened to Lord Wrotham, to feel that they have to remain in my employment. So if anyone else considers that it would be improper to stay”—Ursula’s words caught in her throat—“You have the opportunity to hand in your resignation to me this evening without fear of censure. I promise you that I will respect your decision, and provide you with a full and glowing reference.”
Everyone remained silent, except Cook who, with eyes half-closed had begun muttering under her breath. Julia remained in her seat, a stricken expression on her normally rosy-cheeked face.
“There will be people, reporters and the like, who will offer you money for your story,” Ursula reminded them. “They may offer you money to say almost anything about me, or, indeed, about Lord Wrotham. I must tell you now that I cannot tolerate any disloyalty. If you should tell the press anything at all, I will prosecute for slander, and ensure that all of London society are aware of the reason for your dismissal.”
Biggs straightened his coat tails. “Miss Marlow,” he said solemnly. “I hope I speak on behalf of all of us here when I say that we are committed to preserving the good name of both the Marlow and Wrotham households.”
“Thank you Biggs,” Ursula replied. “So am I.”
CHAPTER FOUR
CHESTER SQUARE
It was close to midnight when Ursula, sitting in her study reading a book of Christina Rossetti’s poetry that Lord Wrotham had given her, heard the bell ring at the servants’ entrance below. In truth she had not been reading, but rather turning the events of the last few days over and over in her mind. Images from her interview with Mrs. Stewart, barely two hours ago, were still raw. She could see Mrs. Stewart sitting before her, her gaze teary but defiant. Unable to face another emotional confrontation, Ursula had cut off Mrs. Stewart’s lengthy explanation in mid-sentence saying coldly: “I have no desire to hear your reasons, no doubt you are satisfied with them. I simply wish to know whether you require a reference from me.” Mrs. Stewart’s face, as she heard Ursula’s words, haunted her still. This was not how either of them had wanted things to end.
It seemed a long time till morning and, with her head still aching despite the Bayer Aspirin powder she took earlier, Ursula was nowhere near being able to sleep.
The servants’ doorbell rang once more. Ursula put down the soft, leather-bound book, marking her place with the pink ribbon and checked the mantel clock. She rubbed her eyes, murmured, and decided she had better go investigate on her own.
She met Biggs on
Ursula cleared her throat and began: “I know these are difficult times, but I want to reassure you all that I am grateful for your continued loyalty and support.” She looked around, trying to gauge their reaction. “Your loyalty will, however, be sorely tested in the coming weeks. This morning a notice appeared in The Times announcing that I have called off my engagement to Lord Wrotham.”
Julia went pale and swayed dangerously. Samuels reached over and steadied her before escorting her to a chair. Cook responded with a snort of disgust. She was never one to countenance Julia’s ‘overwrought’ emotions, as she called them.
“I must, for all our sakes, distance myself from what has happened,” Ursula continued. “I warn you that we —and I do mean all of us—will be subject to a great deal of unwanted publicity, not to say distress, over the coming weeks. Already there are two amongst us, Mrs. Stewart and Bridget, who have decided to leave rather than face such scrutiny.”
Ursula waited for the full import of her words to sink in. It was hard to say such things to a group of people she had known and trusted most her life, but she knew it had to be done. She took a deep breath, dreading what had to come next. “I do not wish anyone who feels at all compromised by what has happened to Lord Wrotham, to feel that they have to remain in my employment. So if anyone else considers that it would be improper to stay”—Ursula’s words caught in her throat—“You have the opportunity to hand in your resignation to me this evening without fear of censure. I promise you that I will respect your decision, and provide you with a full and glowing reference.”
Everyone remained silent, except Cook who, with eyes half-closed had begun muttering under her breath. Julia remained in her seat, a stricken expression on her normally rosy-cheeked face.
“There will be people, reporters and the like, who will offer you money for your story,” Ursula reminded them. “They may offer you money to say almost anything about me, or, indeed, about Lord Wrotham. I must tell you now that I cannot tolerate any disloyalty. If you should tell the press anything at all, I will prosecute for slander, and ensure that all of London society are aware of the reason for your dismissal.”
Biggs straightened his coat tails. “Miss Marlow,” he said solemnly. “I hope I speak on behalf of all of us here when I say that we are committed to preserving the good name of both the Marlow and Wrotham households.”
“Thank you Biggs,” Ursula replied. “So am I.”
CHAPTER FOUR
CHESTER SQUARE
It was close to midnight when Ursula, sitting in her study reading a book of Christina Rossetti’s poetry that Lord Wrotham had given her, heard the bell ring at the servants’ entrance below. In truth she had not been reading, but rather turning the events of the last few days over and over in her mind. Images from her interview with Mrs. Stewart, barely two hours ago, were still raw. She could see Mrs. Stewart sitting before her, her gaze teary but defiant. Unable to face another emotional confrontation, Ursula had cut off Mrs. Stewart’s lengthy explanation in mid-sentence saying coldly: “I have no desire to hear your reasons, no doubt you are satisfied with them. I simply wish to know whether you require a reference from me.” Mrs. Stewart’s face, as she heard Ursula’s words, haunted her still. This was not how either of them had wanted things to end.
It seemed a long time till morning and, with her head still aching despite the Bayer Aspirin powder she took earlier, Ursula was nowhere near being able to sleep.
The servants’ doorbell rang once more. Ursula put down the soft, leather-bound book, marking her place with the pink ribbon and checked the mantel clock. She rubbed her eyes, murmured, and decided she had better go investigate on her own.
She met Biggs on
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