Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Celestina didn't stop to talk to anyone when she returned to the manor. She shrugged off her cloak and then set to work immediately, wanting to throw herself into it as a distraction.

Though it wasn't her job, she picked up a polishing cloth and began to scrub the silverware on display in the grand entrance hall. She needed to do something with her hands, and it felt good to see the silver turn from tarnished to shiny. As though scrubbing the badness away.

She didn't even look up when there was a knock on the door, and the butler went to open it. She didn't look up when she heard Lady Rebecca's voice asking to see Lady Kingsley. She didn't even look up when Beaumont told her to wait there while he asked.

But when Lady Kingsley herself came to greet Lady Rebecca, Celestina couldn't stop herself. As they walked past her towards the drawing room, Lady Rebecca caught her gaze and smirked. Celestina shivered, sensing that something bad was going to happen. But she carried on polishing. What else could she have done?

It was only a few minutes before the inevitable happened.

"Celestina?" Mrs Jones said, her mouth as sour as always but her eyes soft with pity. "Lady Kingsley wishes to see you in the drawing room."

"I'll just finish—"

"Immediately."

The word felt so final. A nail hammering home and securing her fate in place. Celestina put her polishing things down carefully, then made her way to the drawing room, certain that Lady Rebecca had said all sorts of lies about her. She only hoped Lady Kingsley could see through her as well as Celestina herself could, especially given that she would be her mother-in-law one day.

The atmosphere in the drawing room was tense. Lady Kingsley sat, as always, in her high-backed chair in front of the window, the bright sun putting half her face into dark shadow. Lady Rebecca, meanwhile, was perched on the edge of the sofa, her back perfectly straight and a teacup held just in front of her.

"You wanted to see me, My Lady?" Celestina said. She refused to use the honorary title of Your Grace as a matter of principle, though from the way Lady Kingsley narrowed her eyes, such a decision was not much appreciated.

"Rebecca here has been telling me all about your outing today," she said sharply.

"I see," Celestina replied. She had been prepared for this. Indeed, she had been almost prepared to apologize if only to keep the peace and maintain her position. But now, standing here, she felt her stubbornness rear its head, refusing to allow her to back down. She raised her chin a little higher.

"This good lady invited you shopping out of the goodness of her heart," Lady Kingsley said, her own chin jutting into the air. "Why, she has shown you pity and condescension, and how do you repay her? By disrespecting her and her friends—and in public!"

Celestina took a breath before she began to speak. "With all due respect, My Lady—"

Lady Kingsley scoffed. "After what I've heard, I'm not convinced you know the meaning of the word. I mean, really! Celestina, we have taken you in despite all sense and logic. And this is truly how you repay us? I mean, goodness! We could have seen you on the streets, but we didn't, thanks to Richard's kindness. But to stay here, you must learn your place."

Celestina tried again, though with a firmer, louder voice. "With all due respect, Lady Kingsley, if anyone showed disrespect, I can assure you it wasn't me. I was insulted by their words and the cruel way they spoke of me. I merely excused myself, nothing more—and in doing so, I quite remembered my place, for I told them how important it was that I return to work."

Lady Rebecca stuck out her bottom lip like a sulking child, and Celestina resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The younger woman had the charms of a schoolgirl.

"I am sorry that you took it that way, Celestina," she said, her voice whiny and high-pitched. "But I'm sure we all know that's your sensitivity and not the truth of the matter. Arabella and I were merely showing understanding about your situation. If anything, we were being caring and considerate. I'm certain that you know we meant no harm."

Celestina took in another steadying breath. She was absolutely certain that they did mean harm. She was their sport for the afternoon, and they got the reaction they had hoped for. Now, Celestina was being made to pay the price, and Lady Rebecca would be one step closer to achieving her goal of marrying the duke.

She maintained her composure, though she would not back down. "While I appreciate you saying that, I feel it was rather hurtful of you to say such things. If you truly wanted to show understanding, you would have been more careful with your words."

Lady Kingsley scoffed. "I cannot believe my ears! You, a housekeeper! And an assistant one at that. You may think you get special treatment here, young lady, but I assure you that you do not. If you are to work under this roof, then you are to consider yourself no better than the other members of the household."

Celestina wanted to scream. She had been saying just that to Richard since the day she arrived. She wanted no special treatment. If she was going to accept his help and protection, she would repay him with her service as any maid or housekeeper would. She was far too stubborn to do otherwise. But that did not mean she had to stand for bullying and cruel behaviour. She was certain no one else had to stand for such a thing.

"I am not looking for special treatment, My Lady," Celestina insisted. "Quite the opposite, in fact. Perhaps going out with Lady Rebecca and her friend was something of a mistake. I'm certain Lady Rebecca would never have invited Mrs Jones, for example."

The two ladies scoffed from their chairs, and Lady Rebecca brought her cup to her lips. She sipped noisily, seemingly enjoying the show.

"You really are something, Celestina," Lady Kingsley admonished. "When someone shows you kindness, the correct response is humble gratitude. Not whatever this is. I want you to apologize to Lady Rebecca immediately. Do you understand?"

Celestina stared open-mouthed for a moment too long. Surely Lady Kingsley couldn't be serious?

"I do not wish to offend you, Lady Kingsley, and I accept you wanting to speak to me about this matter, but I did nothing wrong, and therefore I do not owe Lady Rebecca an apology."

Both ladies gasped in unison, and Lady Kingsley puffed her chest out like an annoyed peacock.

"You are ungrateful and insolent. You cannot seriously expect us to listen to such … such … impudence!"

"I apologize if you find me insolent, My Lady," Celestina said, refusing to back down. "But the truth is, regardless of social status, Lady Rebecca should be apologizing to me, not the other way around."

She glanced at Lady Rebecca, who, teacup still hovering near her face, smiled at her triumphantly. A scoff escaped Celestina's lips as she realized the truth. This had been Rebecca's plan all along. The humiliation in town was a happy by-product of finding a way to discredit Celestina in front of Lady Kingsley.

Blood rushed to her face in anger as much at her own stupidity as at Rebecca's actions. Rebecca wanted her thrown from the house, no doubt, and now Celestina had to do all she could to prevent that from happening.

"You will apologize this instant," Lady Kingsley roared, the hair on her head shaking as she raged. Gone was her calm reprimand and polite composure, replaced by red cheeks and spittle.

Celestina took an involuntary step backward, wanting to move away from her. "No, I will not," she snapped, affirming her decision.

Lady Kingsley rose from her seat and glared at her. "If you do not apologize right now, I will have you removed from the house and ensure you never return."

Celestina clenched her jaw. She knew she was making a mistake and needed this security, but she would not back down. She had far too much pride for that.

"I would rather live on the streets than be disrespected by spoiled young women than forced to apologize when I was not in the wrong. If that is your final say on the matter then—"

"What on earth is going on in here!"

***

Richard had been making arrangements with the butler in the entrance hall when he heard his mother's shouting. He and Beaumont had looked at one another in shock, and then he'd dashed across the hall and to the room. The door was already open, and he hovered for a moment, listening to her words.

When she threatened to have Celestina removed from the house, he knew he had to act. Anger and confusion bubbled up inside him, but whatever had happened, he knew for certain he would not see Celestina on the streets.

"What on earth is going on in here!" he cried, swinging into the room with wide eyes and a dropped jaw.

"Your friend is going to pack her bags and be out of this house before dinner," his mother said, glaring at Celestina as if she were the Devil.

"Very well," Celestina said.

With a tight expression, she turned and went to march from the room, but Richard put his arm out to stop her. She halted before she got to him, the fabric of her gown just glancing across the flesh of his arm. He ignored the thrill of closeness that ran through him, focusing instead on the goings-on of the room.

"Stay where you are," he said in a low growl.

Celestina clasped her hands in front of her, her shoulders curling in as if she were trying to make herself as small as possible, and she lowered her eyes to the ground. She looked like the lamb thrown into the lion's den, and it made Richard all the angrier.

"Now, somebody tell me what has happened."

"She is rude and disrespectful," his mother snapped.

At exactly the same time, Lady Rebecca jumped up from her seat, her teacup discarded on the table, and she began to speak. "Oh, Your Grace, it was just awful. I didn't want to say anything, but I was simply so upset."

"Look at her, Richard," his mother said, indicating to Rebecca. "How could you countenance seeing such a lady in distress?"

He looked from one to the other, then to Celestina, entirely confused about what had happened. His household had been a peaceful one only hours before. His friendship with Celestina was strengthening by the day, and even his mother and Lady Rebecca seemed to be trying to get along well with her. And now this!

"Everybody, sit down and tell me what happened from the beginning."

All but Richard sat, and while his mother and Rebecca relayed the tale of what happened in town, Celestina remained resolutely quiet. The two ladies spoke alternatively, each throwing in a new accusation to convince Richard that Celestina had been disrespectful.

But every time he glanced at her, he knew it to be false. At least he knew she would never do such a thing without reason. She was naturally fair and correct, and even as a child, she had stood against injustice.

"You see," his mother said finally, her voice calmer now. "I had no choice but to tell her to leave. We simply cannot have the staff acting in such a way."

Richard nodded to his mother, then turned to Celestina. "What really happened?" he asked, causing the two ladies to gasp in shock.

Celestina smiled up at him gratefully, then relayed the tale as she had experienced it. She admitted to her harsh words as she'd excused herself, but she made it clear how Ladies Arabella and Rebecca had treated her and that she only wished to get away.

Richard sighed, turning back to Rebecca. To his surprise, he saw the anger in her eyes, burning into Celestina with such hate, such vengeance, and his own temper flared.

"How dare you speak to one of my friends in such a way," he roared.

Rebecca, who had only been staring at Celestina, jumped at the sound of his furious voice. She looked up at him in fear, her mouth open.

"I … I'm sorry, Your Grace," she stuttered. She raised her hands, beginning for forgiveness, for mercy. "It wasn't like that."

"Richard," his mother snapped again. "Be reasonable."

"I am being reasonable," he said, not taking his gaze from Rebecca's simpering expression. "Why would you intentionally humiliate her like that?"

"I didn't," she said quickly. "I mean, that was not my intention. You must believe me, Your Grace. You must know that I am not like that. We've got to know one another so closely. I thought you would know that … I was just trying to do something nice, to take your friend out for the day. Arabella and I were trying to show our understanding but … but it's been misconstrued. I promise that's what it is."

Richard glared at her, unsure whether to believe her or not. He knew Celestina well enough to know for certain that she was telling the truth. But he also knew Rebecca well enough to know that she would never be intentionally cruel. Or at least, he thought he did. He sighed, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion.

"Mother, you had no right to chase Celestina away."

"Do I not have a say in this household?" she demanded. "Can I not control the staff as I see fit?"

"No!" he roared. "This is my house. If you have grievances in the future, you will come to me. Is that understood?"

He looked at her from beneath his brow, chin jutting out and nostrils flaring, daring her to contradict him. Instead, she nodded, shrinking back into herself. He turned to Rebecca this time.

"As for you, My Lady, I really think you ought to be more mindful with your words. Perhaps if you had been, none of this sorry mess would have happened."

"Yes, of course, Your Grace," she muttered. "I am dreadfully sorry."

"Yes, well." He pursed his lips, looking her up and down. "It's not me you have to apologize to, is it?"

"What?" she asked, her head shooting up to stare at him.

"Come on now, Richard," his mother stepped in. "That's a step too far."

"Is it?" he asked, eyebrows raised. "I really don't think so. My Lady, if you wish to remain here, I suggest you apologize to Celestina."

With a huff, Rebecca looked at Celestina. When she spoke, it was quickly and without emotion.

"I'm sorry I hurt your feelings."