Midnight Secrets (27 page)

Meanwhile, I puzzled over Rebecca’s situation. Prudence was so loving to Rebecca that I couldn’t reconcile her keeping the nurse to care for Rebecca. Nor could I understand why Rebecca, even though blind, was so frightened.

Bridget and I were just finishing the floor when Mrs. Frye appeared.

Knees currently numb, I stood, pressing my hand to my aching back and surveying the perfection of the floor.

“Humph. Miss Prudence has requested that you come to her.” Mrs. Frye eyed me as if I’d stolen the silverware.

“Then it appears I’ve finished just in time.”

“You’re to go to her quarters.”

I started untying the apron I’d soiled.

“Don’t think you’re done for the day,” Mrs. Frye harped in. “There are more chores that need doing and you missed a spot by the banister.”

“I’ll take care of that, Mrs. Frye,” Bridget said.

“No. I’ve other chores for you. She can finish it after seeing Miss Prudence. I don’t think she’ll be but a minute.”

I opened my mouth to protest. Bridget and I had done everything we were supposed to have done for the day. Bridget caught my eye and sent me a silent warning not to argue. I bit my lip, feeling outraged and frustrated.

I moved toward the stairs that would take me to the second floor. “Then if you will excuse me, I won’t be long.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Mrs. Frye shouted.

Turning, I blinked at her with surprise.

“The backstairs, missy. I warned you that I’d not tolerate you putting on any airs, and you’ve done nothing but that since you came here. Be careful or you’ll not have a job.”

Anger burned the back of my throat, partly because of Mrs. Frye’s inflexible harshness, and partly because I’d given her the opportunity to reprimand me.

Servants used the servants’ stairs even if it wasn’t convenient, even if it cost them twice as much labor. I would have expounded on the propriety of that at length in “Cassiopeia’s Corner”, advising that all rules had to be followed to preserve order. As I hurried to the backstairs in the kitchen, I determined that if I ever were in charge of such a vast holding as a castle, I’d toss propriety on its ear and set rules that made sense.

“Come in,” Prudence called out after my knock.

From the richly elaborate dresses Prudence and Rebecca wore, I expected to see such ostentation in their surroundings. I didn’t. Their living quarters on the second floor were highly simple compared the rest of the castle and the fashionable decors of the day. Like the pastel hues of the room Mary used across the hallway, this room carried a theme of soft blues. Elegant and peaceful were the words that came to my mind.

Prudence motioned me to a chair across from her then sat herself.

“Thank you for inviting me.” The numbness in my knees had turned into a throb and I thankfully sank into the heavenly cushions of a buttoned wing chair.

On a marble topped table between us an elaborate array of goodies was set, and the mouth-watering scent of brewed tea and fresh scones filled the air. Prudence asked about my day, then after pouring us both a cup and handing me a plate piled with almond-speckled scones, she went directly to the heart of the matter. “I’ve appreciated the time you’ve taken with Rebecca. I think it is helping her.”

“I have grown to care a great deal for Rebecca, and I have some concerns about her situation here.”

Prudence set her teacup down, her cheeks flushing. “I have little care for what the villagers or anyone else thinks about my presence in the Killdarens’ lives. All I care about is that Rebecca has the best of everything, and all the mean gossip and judgmental busybodies in the world aren’t going to change that.”

I choked on my scone. “Good heavens, you completely misunderstood me, Miss Prudence. I meant Rebecca’s crying today, and uh, if I may say so, the harshness of her nurse.”

Prudence drew a deep breath then picked up her teacup. “My apologies. I had a horrifying experience with the villagers and I am overly sensitive to criticism in regards to my living here.”

“I am so sorry to hear of it. Not to pry where I shouldn’t, but what happened in the village?”

“If the Killdaren hadn’t saved me, I think they would have burned me alive or stoned me to death.”

I set my teacup down with a rattle this time. “You’re serious aren’t you?”

“Unfortunately, yes. The world does not take kindly to unmarried women being with child.”

“So, Mr. Killdaren stopped the villagers from harming you?”

“He and Stuart stood against a mob of raging villagers. They rode up on horses with pistols cocked and the Killdaren told the villagers he’d killed before and would have no qualms killing again. The first man or woman who harmed me was dead. They all ran.”

I wanted to say a word or a phrase that would lead her into telling me if Sean was Rebecca’s father, but I couldn’t force the words from my lips. Deep inside of me hid the irrational notion that if I didn’t know for a fact that Sean had fathered Rebecca, then I could blame it on his brother, Viscount Blackmoor.

“How long has Rebecca had difficulty with her speech?” I said, picking up my teacup and abruptly changing the subject before my habit of seeking out the truth at all costs could exercise itself.

“Just recently. She went through the traumatic experience of having someone she deeply cared for die. I think you playing music for her has helped her grief.”

For a moment I wondered if the china I held would snap. “Mary? The person she cries for?”

“Yes.” Prudence’s eyes widened with surprise.

“I’d guess as much from what I’ve heard others say. What happened?”

“She drowned while on a picnic with my daughter. Exactly what happened, no one knows for sure, but it must have been awful. Rebecca hasn’t been able to speak of it. She only cries inconsolably whenever something reminds her of it. Mary used to call Rebecca a little angel. I think you said that to her when you spoke of her singing.”

“Yes.” I was incapable of saying anything more at that moment.

“When Rebecca sang today, I noticed she didn’t stutter as much.”

“I noticed, too.”

“An amazing surprise, and one that gives me hope she will recover from what happened.”

“Yes.” I had to force myself to breathe. “I think the music distracts her mind from the fear that has her in its grip.”

“I would like for you to play for her every day and encourage her to sing, if you would. Perhaps this will help Rebecca recover faster.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. I deeply wanted Rebecca to heal, and a part of me couldn’t help but wonder that if Rebecca overcame her fear, she might be able to tell me what happened to Mary.

“Good. I’ll speak to Mrs. Frye about the matter. Now what do you have to say about Rebecca’s nurse?”

“I feel that Rebecca’s nurse is unnecessarily harsh, and at times speaks to Rebecca in what I would consider to be a less than nurturing manner. You obviously love your daughter greatly, and I wondered if you were aware of the situation.”

Prudence sat forward, nearly at the edge of her seat, a frown cut deep into the perfection of her features. “I am aware that the nurse can be stern on occasion, but I’ve never witnessed her treating my daughter harshly. Do you speak of a specific incident?”

“Well, yes. A few weeks ago, when Rebecca heard me playing the piano, she must have slipped down the stairs to the theater without her nurse knowing. Bridget and I brought Rebecca back to Nurse Tolley and the woman screamed at Rebecca, frightening her.”

“I shall have a word with her then. I haven’t spoken to Nurse Tolley about her rigid demeanor because the nuns at the convent school who educated me were by far much harder task masters.”

“Thank you.” I didn’t know what else I could say. I had to be satisfied with the situation for now. Being able to play for Rebecca every day would put me into more contact with Nurse Tolley. At least I could report to Rebecca’s mother if I saw any more incidents of ill treatment.

“Whatever are you doing here?” Prudence demanded, looking at me as acutely as Stuart had. “You’re an educated, accomplished woman. Why are you here as a maid, and not teaching as a governess?”

“I needed the job, and no governess positions were available.” I stood. “Mrs. Frye wanted me back quickly. Thank you for inviting me.”

Prudence blinked with surprise and I saw a flash of disappointment cross her face, making me sorry for my hasty retreat. She stood. “Yes, thank you for coming.”

I had to bite my tongue to keep from suggesting we have tea again. I’d hurt Prudence by rudely cutting the tea short, and as I walked from Prudence’s room, I had the same feeling as I’d experienced over Mary’s letter that morning—as if I were once again allowing fear and caution to rule my life.

Chapter Fourteen

That night after the evening meal of a savory fish stew, Bridget helped me again in teaching the servants to read and write. It was the last thing I wanted to be doing. I still ached from scrubbing the center hall, and all I wanted was a bath and bed. I refused to think about stargazing again.

I doubted Sean would issue any more safe passages, and I didn’t dare go without one.

The tables, counters and chairs in the kitchens provided ample space to teach the servants and the room soon filled. As in our previous classes, everyone appeared, tired but eager. Jamie still sat as far from me as possible and kept his angry gaze focused on me continually, an unnerving situation I had yet to be able to change, though there’d be no more explosions from him since I’d mentioned Mary’s name last week.

Jamie resented me, as if I was responsible for Mary’s death. He clearly didn’t want to be here, but he couldn’t stay away from me, either. In some odd way, I understood. As I’d grown closer to those around me, I found myself questioning if anyone had really killed Mary, and it became more and more a possibility to me that my cousin had accidentally drowned. That still left the mystery of Lady Helen’s murder, for I couldn’t believe Sean was guilty. If Andromeda had read the viscount’s mind correctly, then someone else in Lady Helen’s life had killed her.

Leaving my thoughts, I started the class writing the alphabet again, everyone taking turns with the few materials we had, when Stuart entered, carrying a huge sack.

“What are you doing here?” Bridget demanded under her breath when Stuart reached us.

I winced at the antagonism barbing her voice. Stuart only grinned and lifted a brow, whispering back. “Your increasing irritation proves that your affection for me grows every day, so I forgive your rudeness.”

I had to cough to cover my laugh or Bridget would have never forgiven me.

She glared at Stuart. “Why you…you…there aren’t words to describe your…your…”

“Stop blabbering rubbish and come help me pass out these supplies the Killdaren ordered,” he said softly. “Your hands are not the only helping hands in the world.”

My fake cough turned into a real one as I choked over the questions stuck in my throat. Learning that Sean not only knew about the classes, but had also helped with the supplies, reached deeply inside me. By the time Stuart and Bridget had emptied the sack, everyone had paper, writing implements, a Bible, and a primary book showing both the alphabet and numbers. Seeing tears gather in their eyes as they ran their work-roughened hands over their new belongings tightened the emotion welling inside me.

Sean was not the man he, and the rumors about him, would have the world to believe.

Stuart proved his helping hands by staying to assist others with the reading and writing after giving out the supplies. He also proved his point about Bridget’s affection. Her irritation grew by the minute.
 

The class lasted an hour, and then another twenty minutes passed as everyone shared some conversation before leaving. Stuart was the last to go, and Bridget’s temper had built to an explosive point by then. After he left, she stomped across the room, setting the kitchens back to rights.

“Ack, if that man thinks being here is going to change my opinion of his womanizing ways, he’s in for a mighty disappointment.”

“I think he came because he genuinely wants to help. I also think he’s the one who let Sean Killdaren know we needed supplies. And if he is wooing you by doing so, what’s wrong with that? You’re the one who defended the vampire luring the lady from her loneliness in the story.”

“Humph. That story doesn’t have anything to do with Stuart and me. Besides, the man didn’t take his gaze off me the whole time he was here. It’s enough to make a woman insane, it is.”

I understood, as being with Sean made me feel that way. “You’ll feel better once we soak in the tub with some rose bath salts.”

“You and your baths. You think they’re an answer to the world’s woes.”

I hid a grin and headed for the laundry area where Mrs. Murphy had left steamy water waiting for us. Bridget might bluster about bathing every night, but she no longer balked. We filled the tubs and as I undressed she put the rose bath salts in my tub then went to scent hers.

“We’re out,” she declared.

Holding my robe up for modesty’s sake, I slid the curtains open to find Bridget pouting over the empty jar.

“Don’t worry. There are more in our room on the desk.”

“I’ll be right back.” She dashed out.

Humming to myself, I slid into the steamy water, feeling the aches and pains ease and my eyelids close. But there were tensions inside me that no amount of warm water could ease. My desire for Sean and the mystery about Mary were uppermost in my mind. My other concern was the fact that someday soon I would have to leave. I couldn’t masquerade as a maid forever. I had a life and a family and a future I would eventually have to face. At that moment, I couldn’t reconcile the person I had now become since arriving at Killdaren’s Castle with the me I’d been most of my life.

I stood on a precipice, and any direction I might choose, I would lose that which I could not live without.

A loud crash brought my eyes wide open to find Jamie standing in the laundry room. A bucket that he’d obviously dropped rested at his feet. He stared at me, mouth agape.