Page 27 of Falling for a Forsaken Marquess
Eating breakfast later than nine in the morning seemed alien to Agnes, but she could not be rude and ask Mrs Mellors to change her daily routine. The best thing to do was keep busy until ten, which seemed so far away when Agnes was always up and about by seven. She glanced at the clock in the parlour, wrinkling her brow at the hour. It was only eight, but she could have sworn it was well after nine.
“Goodness!” she exclaimed, talking to herself as she placed her chin in her hands. “How I wish Livvy were here!”
Mrs Mellors was still in her room as Agnes had seen Fanny take a cup of hot chocolate up to her several moments ago. The lady of the house would not come down until it was time for breakfast, leaving Agnes to keep herself occupied until then.
Agnes had not minded the first few days as she had had her embroidery to keep her busy, but she had completed all her patterns within the first week and did not have enough supplies to start another unless she bought some.
She had brought some money with her, but Agnes was reluctant to spend it for the sake of emergencies that might arise during her stay in Cheltenham, like the need for stockings or something to add to her dresses to give them a fresh appearance for the outings Mrs Mellors had planned.
The older woman wanted Agnes to remain prepared for invitations to tea from the duchess or events where Lord Hampton was certain to attend. It was all rather stressful and left her on tenterhooks, but Agnes frequently reminded herself that she was doing it for a good reason.
Her disastrous first meeting with Lord Hampton had taken permanent residence in her mind, taunting her with the fact that her match was not interested in her. Mrs Mellors had been so confident about her matchmaking skills, but Agnes was proof that the woman was not always right.
Hanging her head, Agnes wallowed in her self-pity for just a moment before she squared her shoulders and forced herself to look on the bright side. The first meeting was indeed a disaster, but that could mean that the second meeting might be a little better and yield more favourable results. Armed with her positive thinking, Agnes searched for Mrs Mellors’ writing pen and paper.
She had not yet written a letter to her family because she believed she had nothing to share, but that might make them think that things were going terribly for her. They were, but Agnes didn’t want them to know that. Writing a cheerful letter would put their minds at ease and help them hold onto their belief that she would be engaged soon.
After searching in the most obvious places to find stationery but coming up with nothing, Agnes began to wonder at Mrs Mellors’ organisational skills. She eventually found a writing pad and pen in a console table drawer and settled at the writing desk to regale her family with tales of how she was enjoying her time in Cheltenham.
She included the tea with the duchess and Lord Hampton, but Agnes said nothing of his cold treatment and lack of courtesy. Handsome, responsible, and stern were the only adjectives she would use to describe the insufferable fellow. Perhaps Agnes had surprised him with her friendly manner and chatter, but that had been no reason to ignore her or hardly say a word.
The garden had been the perfect opportunity to get to know each other, but the man had treated it as a chore! He certainly had done nothing to endear him to her but being in Cheltenham was not about liking her match but getting him to like her.
Agnes ended her letter with the promise to write another one with an update on her ‘budding’ relationship; thus, digging a deepening hole for herself. Lord Hampton would be appalled to know she was creating a false story about their association with each other, but what he did not know could not bother him. Staring into the envelope, Agnes found it rather bare and lacking excitement.
Her aunt, who lived in Somerset, often sent them little gifts like pendants, ribbon, and poems with her letters, but Agnes didn’t want to spend too much when she would likely write several more messages. Lavinia’s lovely hair came to mind, and how the young woman adored ribbons to plait into her braid.
Agnes had seen some reasonably priced ribbon in a shop window the other day while on a walk with Mrs Mellors, and fortunately, the shop was not too far from the house.
“Fanny!” Agnes called, spotting the maid as she passed the door.
The woman backtracked and stuck her head around the doorway. “Yes, miss?”
“Do you think you could come with me to the stores?” Agnes asked. “I would like to purchase some ribbon for my sister and include it in my letter.”
“I just need to take this tray to the kitchen, and I’ll be right with you, miss,” the maid said, showing Agnes the tray.
“Wonderful! I’ll change into something more suitable and meet you at the front door. I suppose I should tell Mrs Mellors that I shall be out for a little while, but I am certain I’ll return before breakfast.”
“That is as good a plan as any, miss,” said Fanny. “Let me take this tray.”
Agnes nodded and followed behind her but turned left to climb the stairs. She paused halfway up when she remembered that Mrs Mellors was still in bed and might not wish to be disturbed. Leaning on the balustrade, Agnes pulled her mouth to the side as she considered her options.
She really wanted to buy the ribbon for her sister, but Agnes didn’t want to leave without notifying Mrs Mellows of her absence. She would go straight into her room if the woman were her own mother or an aunt, but Agnes had no idea what Mrs Mellors would make of her asking to enter her private chambers. A note would have to be given to her with an apology for not telling her in person.
Agnes quickly returned to the parlour and wrote a note that she would send with a servant to give Mrs Mellors and all but ran upstairs to change into another dress. She included a pair of gloves, bonnet, and parasol to her attire and put a few coins in a reticule.
Agnes would have preferred pockets on her garments, but the dresses of the day were not fashioned to accommodate them, and no self-respecting woman wore an apron outside the home.
It was rather silly as any nimble street urchin could simply snatch the reticule and make away with it before anyone could do something about it. Finally ready to leave, she made her way downstairs and met Fanny at the door.
“That is a lovely dress you’re wearing, Fanny,” Agnes remarked, admiring the flowery muslin garment.
“Thank you, miss. Mrs Mellors gave it to me when she no longer wished to wear it. I made it a little smaller and added ruffles to the sleeves and neckline.”
“You did a marvellous job of it,” Agnes complimented. “I daresay no one will know you are a maid, and we shall not tell them.”
“Oh no, miss!” the maid protested. “I could not do that.”
