Fenella J. Miller (2 page)

‘Don’t look so scared, Molly, everything will be just as we planned. You should be excited, you’re going to see London, albeit only a small part of it, but your horizons are about to widen dramatically. Your life shall never be the same after this morning.’

‘That’s what I’m afraid of, miss. What if Mr Anderson don’t let you keep a maid of your own? Where shall I go until Miss Roberts comes?’

‘I’m sure my new employer will allow you to remain with me until Miss Roberts can arrive and take you back into her care. After all he has been generous enough to pay your expenses.’

‘I wonder what sort of place we’re going to be living in, miss? That letter was written on good quality paper, so maybe he’s very well-to-do.’

‘Whatever it’s like, Molly, I’m sure my life cannot be any worse than it has been these past three years. I shall have my own room, hopefully a fire, and sufficient to eat. I have become so thin, even the extra food you cook me has not made up for the deprivations in my diet. I’m sure I must look like a beanpole.’

The coach rattled into the yard and further conversation was impossible. They were bundled inside, their trunks stowed on the back as the ostlers raced about changing the horses. In less than ten minutes the exchange was done and they were on their way.

Cassie settled back in the corner, Molly close beside her, and glanced round at the other occupants. Opposite her was a soldier in scarlet regimentals. He favoured her with one dismissive glance and resumed his perusal of the countryside. Next to him was a stout farmer’s wife and in the remaining space a very thin cleric squashed hard against the window.She turned her head a little to see along the seat on her side. In the remaining seat was a harassed young woman, a baby on her lap and two fractious small children peering out of the window.

She smiled to herself, she thought it might be an eventful journey. She felt sure that her skills as a governess would be sorely tried before she reached their destination.

Chapter Two

The coach trundled into the Green Man long after darkness had fallen. Cassie was the first to emerge and was surprised to find the courtyard almost as bright as day. Flambeaux flickered from the walls and lit up the space with a golden glow. Molly jumped down beside her, her initial nervousness had gone as the day passed, and she was now as eager as her mistress to enjoy the new sights.

‘Shall I stay here and make sure they bring the right trunks in, Miss Roberts?’ For a moment Cassie didn’t respond, but a sharp nudge on the arm reminded her it was she who was being addressed.

‘Yes, Molly, please do that. I shall venture inside and discover which rooms we have been allocated for the night. I am sharp set, I hope they have kept some supper for us.’

 * * * *

The next morning a steady rain fell from leaden skies and dampened Cassie’s enthusiasm for the forthcoming journey into darkest East Anglia. She had passed a comfortable night in a clean, if frugal, chamber, and had eaten a hearty supper of meat pasty and apple pie.

‘Shall we break our fast in the parlour downstairs, or have it sent up here as we did last night?’

‘Well, I reckon the food will be more plentiful and hotter in the dining room,’ Molly answered from the floor, where she was carefully checking the bags were packed and locked and the trunks securely buckled.

They climbed into the mail coach with only three other passengers, the young officer, and a woman of indeterminate age dressed similarly to her. Cassie had realised early in the journey that being poorly dressed and plain made one almost invisible. She had noticed Molly had received several admiring glances from the ostlers and pot-boys, but she had been overlooked.

For this she was grateful, she had no wish to be ogled by strange gentleman; it suited her new persona to be seen as a nondescript governess. If her travelling companions had known she was a substantial heiress she felt sure she would have been treated with far more courtesy.

She and Ann had discussed her lack of looks on several occasions. She had used to be an attractive girl, with abundant, shining russet brown hair, sparkling hazel eyes and a well rounded figure. But the past years living at Upton Manor had reduced her to the state she was. It suited her for the moment, no one expected a governess to be attractive.

As the coach rattled through the streets of London she barely listened to Molly’s excited chatter from her position in the window seat. Cassandra was dreaming about the day when she to could have new clothes, and take her place in society where she belonged.

The journey was long and tedious, the intermittent rain not assisting their passage. They stopped for refreshments at Romford and Colchester, finally arriving at their destination in Ipswich two hours later than the scheduled time. Cassie was worried that Mr Anderson would have recalled his servant long ago and she would be forced to overnight at an inn for the second time.

The mail coach had stopped to change horses and allow the passengers a twenty minute break before completing the journey to Norwich. Cassie stood with Molly by their trunks and carpet bags hoping that someone would step forward from the milling crowd and claim them. They had been standing outside in the drizzle for a quarter of an hour when a tall figure in a many caped driving coat, a beaver hat pulled low over his ears, appeared from inside the inn.

‘Here you are! Have you no sense woman? Did it not occur to you to come in and announce yourself? I’ve been kicking my heels here the best part of two hours, and now you have wasted a further fifteen minutes.’

Cassie was not sure whether to be offended at his brusque treatment or relieved that Mr Anderson had waited for her.

Hastily she dipped a curtsy and keeping her eyes demurely down answered softly. ‘I do apologise, sir, I assumed that as we were so late, whoever had come to collect us would also be out here. I had no idea you intended to come in person.’

He snapped his fingers and two ostlers leapt forward pulling their forelocks. ‘Put the ladies trunks in my carriage and tell my driver to come round at once.’

Mr Anderson turned to stare down at her. ‘You’re not what I expected, Miss Roberts, but as long as you are as good as your references, I shall have no complaint.’

He turned his back on her and she felt an urge to poke out her tongue in a childish gesture. It was hardly her fault she was tired, and travel worn, or that she was tall and thin. She had not expected to be greeted with open arms, but neither had she expect to be dismissed so summarily.

She felt Molly tugging at her sleeve. ‘Miss Roberts, he’s a fine looking man, isn’t he? A bit of tartar, mind, but I like a man who knows what he’s doing, don’t you?’

Cassie looked at her maid in astonishment. Molly was barely sixteen years old, when had she acquired such decided preferences about members of the opposite sex? She frowned, hoping to prevent the girl from further indiscretions which might be overheard by her formidable employer.

‘Enough of that, if you please, Molly. Remember your place, I have no wish to hear your opinions on such a matter.’

Molly giggled, obviously not impressed at her attempt to be firm. Her lips twitched and she had to bite them to prevent herself joining in. A handsome carriage rolled round from the rear of the inn and of groom jumped down to open the door and pull out the steps. Mr Anderson climbed in leaving Cassie and Molly to follow. She was reminded forcibly that a governess did not warrant the courtesies of a wellborn lady. A gentleman would never have got in front of
her
, of that she was certain.

The interior of the coach was dark, for which she was grateful. She had no wish to be stared at and found wanting. The journey through the darkness took over an hour and the past twenty minutes had been after they’d entered through an imposing pair of wrought iron gates. They were obviously in the carriage of a wealthy man with a large estate.  She just hoped his staff were more welcoming.

Ann had explained to her in great detail that a governess was above the servants but not quite one of the family. She would be expected to dine with them, but not attend dinner parties and other social events unless it was to make up the numbers. However she must not fraternise below stairs, although taking a dish of tea with the housekeeper would be acceptable occasionally. This meant that unless Mrs Anderson employed a companion, she would be isolated, neither fish nor fowl.

Cassie straightened her shoulders, feeling to check her bonnet was straight. The wheels crunched over gravel and then the vehicle halted with a jolt. Instantly the groom appeared at the door. She smiled, unless her employer was prepared to trample over her, this time she would descend first.

It was hard to see the size of house she was to live in for the next year, but if the wide marble steps and pillared portico were anything to go by, this was a substantial and very modern property. She knew that governesses entered by the front door so she waited politely for Mr Anderson to step past and lead the way. The front door was open and bright candlelight spilled out in a golden arc.

She carried her reticule, leaving Molly to stagger behind with the two carpetbags. The trunks would be transported to whatever space she’d been allocated. Stepping into the house she gazed around in wonderment. The hall was so large you could almost hold a ball in it, she decided. The black-and-white floor gleamed with loving attention and a magnificent pink marble staircase curved up to a gallery in which she could see the wall sconces were lit.

A grey-haired woman, hair scraped back in a severe bun, dressed entirely in black, glided forward. ‘Miss Roberts, I am Mrs Green, the housekeeper. You are considerably later than we expected, so I have had a tray left for you. If you’ll follow me, I shall conduct you to your rooms.’

Cassie looked round, but the tall dark man had vanished leaving her to make her own way. Well, that was only to be expected, after all, she was only a governess, not worthy of his attention. She supposed she should be grateful he had come to meet her in person, many employers would not have shown that courtesy.

The housekeeper was already on the staircase and she was obliged to hurry in order to catch up. They went up past the first floor, which was presumably family and guest bedchambers, she knew that the reception rooms were likely to be on the ground floor in such a recent house. They continued up to the second. She was pleased to see that this was also well lit. The decorations were handsome and the floor carpeted in the same style as the lower level.

Mrs Green halted outside a double door. The footman who had been following silently jumped forward and opened the doors with a flourish. Mrs Green stepped in and Cassie followed.

‘This is your private sitting-room, Miss Roberts, as you can observe, it’s well appointed and you have your own chambermaid to keep it tidy and look after the fires. If you lack anything send her to fetch it.’ She marched across the pretty floral carpet and pushed open a door on the far side of the room. ‘This is your bedchamber, there’s a box room leading from the dressing room that your abigail can use.’

‘Thank you, Mrs Green. It all looks delightful. It is wonderful to find such a warm fire burning and so many candles provided throughout the house.’

For the first time the woman looked directly at her and Cassie saw something flicker in her eyes that could have been sympathy. ‘Whatever you have been used to in your previous employment, Miss Roberts, I can assure you that
here
you will be well looked after. Mr Anderson is an excellent employer and would not have it otherwise.’ With a hint of a smile the woman swept out, bombazine skirts rustling around her.

Cassie waited until the door clicked shut before turning to Molly her eyes shining with excitement. ‘Molly, just look at this. It’s better than I’ve had in the past three years. Such a lovely apple wood fire, and look, there’s more logs and a bucket of coal beside for later on. I’m going to explore my bed chamber and see where they’ve put you.’

The bedchamber was equally luxurious, and also had a fire burning merrily in the grate. The large tester bed had pretty floral hangings that matched the curtains at the windows. The room was well appointed also, with occasional tables, a
chaise-longue
by the window and two matching upholstered armchairs.

‘Here, Molly, take my cloak and go and see what all that racket is.’

There was a thumping and banging coming from behind a small door on the left hand side of the room.

Molly grinned. ‘I reckon it’s the trunks coming up, there must be a passageway along the side of that wall. You go and eat your supper, miss, I’ll see to everything else. Then I’ll nip downstairs and see what the rest of the staff are like. Mrs Green seems fair.’

 * * * *

The rattle of her curtains being drawn back and the sweet smell of chocolate woke Cassie the next morning. Sleepily she pushed herself upright and was greeted by the smiling face of a young woman quite unknown to her.

The woman dipped a curtsy and smiled. ‘Morning, Miss Roberts, I’m to look after you. I’m Mary, anything you want you just have to ask me.’

‘Good morning, Mary. Such luxury, to have two people to take care of me. Where’s Molly?’

‘Molly’s filling your bath, miss, she thought you would like one after your long journey.’

Mary placed a tray across her lap and she looked down with delight. As well as the hot chocolate, there were freshly baked rolls, sweet butter and strawberry preserve. She could not remember the last time she’d had her breakfast brought to her on a tray. She rather thought it wasn’t since she was a child and her parents had been alive.

‘This looks quite delicious, Mary. I find that I’m quite hungry. Could you tell Cook that her supper last night was most enjoyable?’

‘I’ll do that, Miss Roberts. Mrs Green said as you needs feeding up, and Cook loves a challenge.’

The girl bustled off about her duties leaving Cassie to rest in her nest of pillows and enjoy her breakfast. A cheerful fire burnt in the grate, as it had done the previous night, and the room was warm and comfortable. She could hardly believe that for the first time in years she would be able to dress without freezing.