Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Audrey woke to the bright sunshine of a spring morning. For a moment, disoriented, she forgot where she was. She wasn't in her home at Rowton Castle, or the Bell Inn. Then she remembered she was staying in a guest room, at the home of Jude Lightholder, Duke of Clairville.

The child—the little girl, Sasha. Sadness flooded her body when she remembered the child's mother as she lay dying in the rain-washed street.

Audrey Looked across at the little truckle bed placed next to hers, where the little girl was fast asleep. Let her sleep , thought Audrey, so many changes and adaptations to cope with in her tiny life.

I must remember I'm Laetitia, or Lettie Banks, and no longer Lady Audrey Rowe, she told herself.

Even the very thought of her name made her shudder, as she remembered her brother, Lord Cheshire, and his scheming plan to marry her to the Duke of Batton. So far so good. She had escaped from Rowton Castle with the aid of her cousin, Rupert, and hoped never to set eyes on her brother again.

She closed her eyes for a second, remembering the gothic towers and battlements of Rowton, the rose garden her mother had tended before her tragic death in the carriage accident which had robbed her of both parents.

Oh, Mama, if you were still alive, I would not be faced with earning my living as a governess. You and Papa married for love, and you would never have made me marry for financial gain. I just have to get on with it and make my way in the world. If that poor child can cope with losing her mother at the age of four, then I can cope with leaving home and being a governess.

A gentle knock at the door, followed by a head peeping round it. It was Rosie, the housemaid, to check if she was awake. Rosie, who had eight brothers and sisters, said she was not worried about catching anything, as she was pretty much immune to most illnesses after caring for her siblings for so many years.

Rosie mouthed the word "tea" across the room, and Audrey nodded back. Sasha was beginning to stir anyway, so Audrey gestured for Rosie to enter the room.

"Don't worry, she's waking up now," Audrey said quietly.

"That's good, miss, I'll get the fire made up. It's a sunny day, but chilly out there. There was a frost this morning. Mrs. Driscoll suggested you take breakfast with her in her parlor. His Grace is already in his library looking at his accounts."

Rosie smiled at Audrey. "You have an hour or two before the whirlwind arrives."

"I'm sorry, a whirlwind? It seems such a sunny morning," queried Audrey, as she looked out of the window.

Rosie burst into a fit of the giggles, her dark curls escaping from her mob cap as her head bobbed up and down. "The whirlwind is Nurse Walters," she explained. "Nurse Walters was the duke's nurse when he was a boy. We all call her Nurse, and she has been with the family for many years. She supported His Grace's mother, the dowager duchess, and his two older sisters, through all their confinements."

Rosie coaxed the fire into a flame adding sticks and more wood, and almost immediately Audrey could feel its warmth.

"I can say Nurse is a whirlwind as she is also my Aunt Agnes. The dowager duchess, his mother, may think she rules the household at Clairville Hall, but it is, in fact, Nurse, who is in charge."

"And she's coming here?" asked Audrey, holding her hands out to feel the warmth of the fire. There was a definite chill in the air, despite the bright sunshine.

"Yes, indeed, miss. His Grace sent to Clairville Hall for Nurse late last night. It's not too far from Hertfordshire, so she will arrive sometime this morning."

Audrey's thoughts wandered away to her own nanny, Mrs. Flinders, at Rowton Castle. With a pang, she remembered those long-ago nursery days with her brother Ethan. He'd been such a sweet, attentive older brother, and she often wondered how his personality could have changed so dramatically in such a short time. She no longer recognized him; he was like another person.

Enough of sadness and regret, time to move on in this new reality, she thought. Mama would think this was funny, she was always telling me to give myself a good talking to when I was cross or miserable. I suspect I shall be giving myself a few lectures on how to behave in my new life.

"Sorry, Rosie. I was far away and not listening," Audrey said.

"You did look a long way away, miss. I suggested that I take Miss Sasha for her bath and get her dressed and ready. I don't know if Mrs. Driscoll told you but I've eight brothers and sisters, and what with Mam always so ill, I pretty much brought them up. Little Miss Sasha will be fine with me."

"Let's give her a little while after she wakes. If all is well, then that seems a good plan, Rosie. Thank you."

At that moment Sasha sat up in bed and looked at Audrey, her large blue eyes wide, and golden ringlets bouncing around her head.

"Good morning, my dear," said Audrey gently. "Can you remember? We are here at the Duke of Clairville's house. You met him last night and liked him."

The child nodded. She looked so serious for such a small person. She hesitated and then found her voice. "Has Mama gone?" she asked in a quiet voice. "I had hoped it was a bad dream."

"I'm so sorry, Sasha. Your Mama was very poorly, and no one could make her better."

Sasha looked at Audrey intently. "I was ill, and Mama gave me chicken broth, and looked worried. She wanted to send for a doctor, but we didn't have any money,"

"You were ill first?' asked Audrey.

"Yes," Sasha said, nodding. "I had a sore throat and felt very dizzy and strange."

So, the child had been ill first. That was reassuring, as it meant that she had immunity and would not fall ill again.

"I miss Mama," Sasha said quietly, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Audrey reached out her arms and the child jumped up onto the bed, ready for a hug. "I know, my dear. You will miss your Mama very much."

Sasha sniffed and buried her head in the folds of Audrey's nightgown.

"Was it just you and Mama at the inn?" Audrey asked her gently.

"Yes, we left our house and went in the carriage, and then on a boat on the sea. I didn't see Papa or Grand-mère again after that. Or my dog Bepé. We had to leave him too."

"You came over the sea with Mama?"

She nodded in agreement, " Oui, bien s?r."

Audrey needed to remember to tell the duke this information. It seemed finding Sasha's family overseas, most probably in France, was going to be difficult.

"And your name… Do you remember your name?"

"Mama called me Sasha, after my Grand-mère. She was from another country. My Mama was a lady, a great lady," she added with pride. "She had beautiful dresses and people came to dance at our house. I love to dance." She paused, looking up at Audrey. "Do you dance, Miss—?" Sasha paused, unsure.

"Miss Lettie," she prompted. "And indeed, I do, and we shall dance here," promised Audrey. "Now, you are going to go with Rosie. You'll like Rosie, and she'll give you a bath and then some breakfast. I'll be with Mrs. Driscoll if you need me."

The little girl seemed happy to go with Rosie, and Audrey waved as they left the room.

***

Mrs. Diana Driscoll was busy setting out teapot and crockery on a little walnut table when Audrey arrived at the housekeeper's parlor.

Small and cozy, the parlor had restful green walls, and a watercolor of a grand house surrounded by parkland. Through the window, Mrs. Driscoll had a view of the garden and a cherry tree in full blossom.

"Welcome my dear. I thought we could take our breakfast in here, by the fire, where it is cozy and warm. Despite the sad circumstances, it is a pleasure for me to talk with a lady of my own station in the house. It can, as I'm sure you know, be quite isolating being neither a servant nor a member of the family." Mrs. Driscoll smiled warmly at Audrey, "And I hope when we are together, not in company, you will feel able to call me Diana."

Audrey's heart melted at the kindness of this woman, whom she had only just met the day before. Her back and shoulders eased into the soft chair near the fire, listening to the sound of Mrs. Driscoll pouring the tea.

The fragrance of the yellow China tea drifted across the room. She looked up to meet the smile of Mrs. Driscoll and knew in an instant this was a good person who put others before herself with no hidden agendas.

"I thought you would be hungry. So, I've asked Cook to send us kidneys, chops, and sausages. You need to keep your strength up my dear, I can see that the little girl is going to be a handful."

"I suspect you are right, Mrs. Driscoll," agreed Audrey, "and I'm very hungry, famished in fact. I'll be glad to eat anything at all."

"Diana, remember," said Mrs. Driscoll as she handed Audrey a cup of warm tea which Audrey held close, finding the warmth comforting. The scent of the tea reminded her of the blend her mama had always preferred.

"Tell me, and let me know if I am prying," enquired Mrs. Driscoll, "what county are you from, and what skills do you have? His Grace said you were on your way to take up a position as governess when this unfortunate incident happened?"

"Indeed, I am, or rather was, travelling to Harrogate to be governess to a little boy. My home county is Bedfordshire, which is where I grew up and lived until last week."

"A beautiful county and not too far from town. And your accomplishments? As a governess, what do you enjoy teaching, Miss Banks?"

"Oh please, call me Letitia or Lettie. I teach the usual range of accomplishments."

What do I teach? she thought frantically, her mind totally blank in that moment.

Thinking quickly, Audrey regained her composure and said, "I enjoy art and literature, but my passion is music. I play the pianoforte, or by preference the spinet. I know it is somewhat old-fashioned nowadays, but I love the sound. I began to learn the harp last year, though I do not consider myself proficient yet."

"We have a spinet and a pianoforte in this house. In fact, the spinet is in the room next door. We don't have a harp, though there are several at Clairville Hall," Mrs. Driscoll told Audrey. "Do you sing? I used to love to sing."

"I do. I'm not a high soprano, but I enjoy singing very much."

"I suspect we will need you to play and sing in the evenings while we are confined and quarantined here." Mrs. Driscoll smiled. She looked thoughtful. "I doubt you will need to start any formal lessons with little Miss Sasha. She only lost her mother yesterday and is going to need love and support, not arithmetic and geography."

"I'll be happy to help her adjust as best I can as long as I'm here," agreed Audrey.

"If you need help sending a letter to your employer in Harrogate then please ask. We can easily post a letter for you, to explain why you haven't arrived yet."

"Thank you, that's very kind. I'll write a letter to explain. I'll admit it has been worrying me a little."

They ate in a companionable silence, and true to her word, Mrs. Driscoll presented her with a plate piled high with kidneys, ham, eggs, and sausages.

"This is quite a treat," she told Mrs. Driscoll. "I have to admit the food at the Bell Inn was meager."

"I'm afraid that place does not have a good reputation, we always avoid it when traveling. I cannot believe how abominably the landlord treated you and that poor child."

"He was scared for his own health, perhaps," commented Audrey, giving the landlord some benefit of the doubt. "I would certainly never go there again. Which reminds me, I must go and see how Sasha is doing. Pray, excuse me, Diana."

"Of course, Lettie," said Mrs. Driscoll, before pausing, and listening intently to a noise in the hallway. "Ah, I think you might be delayed a few minutes. I suspect Nurse Walters has arrived."

Within seconds, the door opened to show a formidable-looking woman of late middle age.

I don't think I ever want to disagree with her about anything, thought Audrey as she took in the new arrival.

"Mrs. Driscoll," came the assertive voice of Nurse Walters.

"Nurse Walters," responded Mrs. Driscoll in an equally confident tone. She stood to greet Nurse Walters, before asking if she would care to take breakfast or a cup of tea. Nurse Walters shook her head at both suggestions and peered at Audrey.

"Nurse Walters, let me introduce you to Miss Laetitia Banks," said Mrs. Driscoll.

"You're the young woman who helped with the child at the inn?" queried Nurse Walters, straight to the point.

"Yes ma'am," responded Audrey.

"Just call me Nurse," barked Nurse Walters, although not unkindly. "Where is this poor wee child? And where is His Grace?"

Mrs. Driscoll explained what had happened and where everyone was. "The doctor is due within the hour," she added.

Nurse Walters turned to Audrey again. "You are a governess?" she enquired.

"Indeed, ma'am. I'm sorry, I mean Nurse," Audrey responded nervously. "It is my first position as a governess. I was travelling to Harrogate and was staying at the same inn as the child when the terrible incident happened."

"Well, I'm not sure if we need a governess, but learning may prove to be a distraction to the poor child." Nurse Walters was nothing if not direct. "All my charges are clever and enjoy book learning," she added with pride.

"I'm sure they are, Nurse," Audrey commented while thinking to herself, I doubt anyone would dare disagree . "I shall, of course, take my lead from you."

"I'm glad to hear that miss, erm... Miss Banks." And with that, her attention moved from Audrey to what she obviously regarded as more important things.

"Very well. Cookies and milk. The child will need cookies and milk," specified Nurse Walters. "I'll check over the house and make any changes. It has been good to catch up Mrs. Driscoll." Nurse Walters stood, nodded at Audrey with a curt, "Miss Banks." And the whirlwind left the room.

Remembering what it was like to be orphaned at a relatively young age, Audrey knew that the person who had helped her most during the first dark months of grief was her own nanny, Mrs. Flinders. She was also acutely aware that she would be leaving in a few days to take up her position in Harrogate, and it would be Nurse Walters who could give Sasha stability until her family was located.

Audrey stood by as Nurse Walters soon settled into sorting linens and arranging furniture upstairs. Mrs. Driscoll just let Nurse Walters do as she wanted, and it was obvious to Audrey that this came from Mrs. Driscoll's long experience, and knowledge, that there was no other way.