Page 18 of Murder at Madame Chambon's
Chapter9
Ithink I’ll wear the blue this evening, thank you, Kitty.”Evelina, still in her dressing gown, cast her critical eye over both ensembles her maid had laid out.What a relief that the luggage van had not been one of the carriages to derail during the accident for Evelina’s clothes had all been created by the finest Parisian seamstresses and couturiers, and were essentially irreplaceable.Evelina had been aware of the envious glances sent her way by many of her fellow debutantes; first as she’d waltzed with a variety of eligible gentlemen and then in Lord Dunstable’s arms.
He would escort her to Lady Glenroy’s ball tonight, together with, of course, Lady Perry.
“I fought you might choose that one, miss, in view of the complimentary words Lord Dunstable had for yer when you last wore it.‘E reckons it matches your eyes.I reckon he’ll be a good ‘usband, miss.Not like my sister, Janey’s ‘usband wot treats her something shockin’ though I shouldn’t be talkin’ like this.I apologise, miss.Sometimes me tongue has a habit o’ runnin’ away with me, miss.Now, do you want to sit down and I’ll brush yer hair?”
“You do talk a great deal more than Mimi, God Rest her soul, but you are a magician when you wield a hairbrush,” said Evelina, smiling.At first, Kitty’s endless chatter had, on occasion, irritated her.She’d been so used to Mimi’s grim dedication and the general silent frostiness of her schoolmates.But over the past few days, Evelina had warmed to Kitty’s candor and genuine good-heartedness.
“I keep fearing one of the young ladies for whom you worked before will steal in here and kidnap you.”
Kitty began to brush Evelina’s hair with long, rhythmic strokes.She sighed.“Nah, they was pleased I got me a good job and outta the place afore I was made to become one o’ them.”
“What do you mean?”Some of the things Kitty said were most puzzling.Evelina tried to remember the name of the large family for whom Kitty had worked.The truth was that she’d been in a bit of a daze following the train accident.
Sometimes it was as if she were suddenly back in the midst of the screeching of wheels or could feel the water rushing up to drown her.Lord Dunstable had remarked upon her occasional sudden shivers, which she’d claimed was due to his presence.Flattering him was easier than having to tell him about the accident and relive the whole awful experience.
Or perhaps it was because telling him what had happened would require telling him about William?Lord Bellingham.
She closed her eyes.Thinking about William was not conducive to whipping up the necessary excitement she needed to show with regard to her forthcoming marriage to Dunstable.
Oh, why had William shown up at the ball so late?Or at all?She could have survived either, with greater acceptance and fortitude.But to know that Lord Bellingham—her William—was both available and interested was too much.
He was, she guessed, a couple of years younger than Lord Dunstable, and he was widowed with a daughter.A sweet, pliant daughter who was seeking a mother.
Some women might not relish the prospect of being a stepmother, but Evelina liked Edwina and would not have minded taking on a child.Remembering little Edwina’s hand in hers had sent warmth flowing through her.
And longing, too, as she’d locked glances with the girl’s father.
But now she was to marry Lord Dunstable.She’d made her bed, the marriage contract had all but been drawn up, and she was committed.
And perhaps that was as well, for her mother had made no bones about the fact that love was an inconvenience that had no part in marriage.
The nuns had said the same thing.They just insisted she must love God.
“Will you breakfast with Lady Perry this morning, miss?”Kitty asked as Evelina stared at the ceiling, thinking thoughts she should not.
“Not this morning—”
Her words were cut short by a series of quick, sharp raps upon the door before the parlourmaid put her head round, saying, “Miss Tarot, Lady Perry says you are to present yourself in the drawing room at the earliest.There’s someone here to see you.”
Kitty smiled.“Lord Dunstable is keen, miss, ain’t he?”
“It’s not Lord Dunstable,” said the parlourmaid.“It’s Lady Bradden.”
“Lady Bradden?”Kitty looked alarmed, and Evelina felt a frisson of concern.“Does she say why?”For people like Lady Bradden did not call on young ladies like Evelina at such an hour unless there was something of note to be conveyed.
Ten minutes later, Evelina presented herself in the drawing room, as best as she could manage under the circumstances, noting with surprise that Lady Bradden had with her a maidservant who was holding an infant.
This was rather extraordinary, she thought, as she stilled the torrent of questions that came to her lips.
When Evelina had left her bedchamber, she’d been surprised at how distressed Kitty had been; as if the girl had been guilty of some terrible transgression in her previous employ.Was Lady Bradden on the warpath to apprise Evelina of something Kitty had done?
Now that she’d developed something of a rapport with Kitty, Evelina certainly hoped Lady Bradden hadn’t come here to inform her that Kitty was a thief or worse.
She nodded at Lady Bradden, whose look was drawn and concerned as she said, “Please sit down, Miss Tarot, for you’ll need to be seated to hear what I have to say.”
Goodness, Lady Bradden looked as if she were about to unleash the most terrible of all news.
