Secrets and Lords

But the hope was vain.

‘Our Lady Macbeth,’ he said, putting down his newspaper.

Edie, whose hands already shook, was almost overcome with panic. What on earth would Jenny think of this? She made no reply and rubbed harder at a greasy fingermark on one of the window frames.

‘You’ll have to remember your taper next time,’ he added. ‘Won’t you?’

There was a silence. From the corner of her eye, Edie saw Jenny’s horrified countenance. Presumably she would have to answer, now he had asked a question.

‘I’m not sure what you mean, sir,’ she said.

‘Hmph. Have it your way.’ The newspaper rustled again and no more was said.

***

‘What was all that about?’ asked Jenny furiously, once they were out of the room.

Edie, enjoying the sensation of being able to breathe again, shook her head.

‘I’ve no idea.’

‘Lady Macbeth?’

‘I don’t know Shakespeare.’

‘I bet you do, with all your London theatre-going. What’s he on about?’

‘I’ve told you,’ said Edie, and she couldn’t keep a rising note of antagonism from her voice. ‘I don’t know.’

Jenny was put out and conversation was scarce for the rest of the morning. At lunch, Jenny sat with all the other girls at the opposite end of the table, whispering and casting glances over at Edie.

Her heart sank. She was friendless here.

Until Ted strode in, put his peaked cap down on the end of the table and snagged one of her slices of bread and butter.

‘Hey!’

‘Cut yourself another,’ he said. ‘I’ve just driven all the way back from town at a steady forty miles per hour. I’ve earned my daily bread.’

He sat down beside her, warming her with his presence and his cheeky smile.

‘You’re still here then,’ he said.

‘Somehow,’ she replied with a grimace, then she whispered. ‘I’m not sure how long I’ll last.’

‘When’s your day off?’

‘Wednesday.’

‘Well, I hope you’ll last till then. Cos I’d like to take you out.’

‘Oh!’ Edie blinked rapidly. Was this a proposition? Was he expressing romantic interest in her? She was so inexperienced that she hardly knew if his intentions were amorous or merely friendly.

She decided to assume the latter.

‘Well, perhaps a walk out into the country would be nice,’ she said. ‘Or … something of that kind.’

‘His Lordship’s got a shoot on that day. I won’t be needed. I’ll see what’s on at the picture palace, shall I?’

‘Well, I suppose so,’ she said dubiously.

‘Don’t knock me out with enthusiasm, girl.’

She saw Mrs Fingall beaming approval as the others muttered and looked daggers. It seemed she couldn’t please Jenny and her friends – Ted and Sir Charles were a rock and a hard place, apparently. But which was which?

‘Mrs Munn, I think Edie knows her way around now,’ said Jenny as the housekeeper came to join the meal. ‘May I go back to working alone?’

‘Does that suit you, Edie?’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Edie sighed. It didn’t, not really. She still had so much she wanted to learn from Jenny. But if she wanted to believe stupid things of her, then that couldn’t be helped.

‘I’m not entirely sure you’re ready, but I’ll give you a chance.’

* * *

Edie was assigned to the seldom-used upper rooms of the East Wing and she spent the afternoon alone amongst the treasures, having no company but her thoughts. She listened constantly for footsteps on the stairs or in the passage, dreading an unexpected rendezvous with Sir Charles, but apparently he was out.

Looking through the window, she saw Lady Mary with a tennis racquet and wondered against whom she would be playing. Lady Deverell came out a few moments later, similarly equipped, and Edie was transfixed, watching the pair disappear around the corner towards the courts.

Lady Deverell and her stepdaughter. Was their relationship cordial? What if Lady Mary found out about her brother? What if anyone found out? Lady Deverell would be ruined, that was for sure.

Perhaps Sir Charles loved her and would stand by her … but that surely couldn’t be the case if he was trying his luck with every pretty housemaid that came along.

No, she was his plaything and he might even have her ruin in mind. It was despicable. He was despicable. He ought to be stopped – but how?

Carrie was once more indisposed at supper time, so Edie, much against her will, was detailed to serve the family.

She kept her eye on Lady Deverell, waiting for her to steal a look at Sir Charles, but she did no such thing for the duration of the meal, unless addressed.

What a wonderful actress she was. Edie found herself as full of admiration as of distaste. Eventually, however, she realised why Lady Deverell was not attending to her stepson. She was watching her.

She had noticed, without seeming to even look in their direction, how Sir Charles touched her under the table when she served the soup and spoke low words into her ear. Although he kept his face expressionless, the messages were inflammatory.

‘Will you sleepwalk again tonight?’ he murmured.

‘No, sir,’ she whispered back, trying not to slop soup over the edge of the ladle.

Then, when she refilled his glass, ‘Sleepwalk to my rooms. First floor, East Wing.’