Page 101 of The Curious Story of the Missing Lady
Lisbelle looked around the room. “Well, heaven knows I’ve seen this room plenty of times. I could tell you about every scratch in the wall and name every speck of dust for you, and that by groping with my eyes closed. You young people have to learn that the time comes sooner or later when you realise that life ain’t all about stopping and watching, because pretty soon there’s nothing left to stop and watch that you haven’t stopped to watch a hundred times before.”
“Oh Lizzy, you do confound me sometimes.”
“Always glad to give advice to a young lady. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I realise I’m taking a chance by presuming you haven’t learned much in your short time on this earth. But true life lessons? They come at a price of years. Also, that kind of learning, when it’s to be passed on, doesn’t recognise no bounds of nobility. So, I say what I say to whoever needs to hear it, whether that be you or His Lordship. There. Now look at you. A princess if’n I ever did see one!”
“Lovely work, Lisbelle. Thank you.”
“Now then, you’re all set for Uncle Roger.”
“I’ve been looking forward to it.” Madeline nibbled her lip. “Lisbelle?”
Lisbelle replaced the sewing kit in the bottom drawer and stood up, brushing the knees of her dress. “Yes, M’Lady?”
“Can I confide in you a ... a secret?”
Lisbelle looked behind her, then back. “Of course, M’Lady,” she said, voice lowered.
“You may have noticed, Lizzy, that Lord Oliver has not come to call in quite some time.”
“I have. You yourself told me it was because he went a’travelling to Ireland to visit his relations.”
“I told a fib.”
Lisbelle’s eyes went wide. “What?”
“Oh, I know,” said Madeline, feeling herself blush. “I’m heartily sorry. You are the last person I would want to lie to.”
“Well, it’s not I you have to worry about, M’Lady. It’s ... well, you know ...” She pointed skyward.
“I am prepared to reconcile with my maker. I just saw no other way. I broke off my engagement with Lord Oliver, you see.”
Lisbelle put a hand to her mouth. “No!”
“’Tis true. I broke the poor man’s heart.”
“But why?”
“Why?” echoed Madeline. “Why indeed? It would be easier to tell you why the stars burn for eternity. Suffice it to say that Oliver and I are not suited well. Perhaps we were at one point. I can’t say. But I was not educated enough in the ways of the world, you see. I was naive. At any rate, I broke poor Oliver’s heart, and I do not wish to break Papa’s heart as well. The dear man has finally begun to accept Oliver as a future son-in-law. Now, all his efforts to accept him are for naught.”
“My Lady, if you don’t mind me saying, you must come clean with your father. That one that begat you as well as the one that made you. But I dare say, the one that begat you poses the greater threat for his proximity if you get my meaning. Tell him, My Lady. Make your peace and tell him.”
Madeline turned her head down in shame. “Very well, Lisbelle. You have convinced me. I shall tell him while we are away. Perhaps the serenity of being surrounded by Uncle Roger’s beautiful estate will pacify his heart.”
She smiled at her dear Lisbelle, placed a hand on each shoulder, and gently kissed the woman’s forehead. “Thank you, Lizzy.”
“Not at all, M’Lady. Come, let’s get you downstairs.”
Chapter 72
She sat next to Papa in the coach. Mama sat across from them. Nerves wracked her belly as she contemplated just what she would say and how she would say it. Her parents looked so happy—Mama with her comely radiance, Papa with his genteel good-naturedness shining through every tooth. She felt awful that she would be spoiling it all for them.
“Child,” said Mama, “what’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing,” she said, hating herself for her cowardice in the moment.
“You look as though you have a heavy heart.”
“I’m ... a little tired. That’s all.”
