Page 32 of Papa's Captive
Chapter 15
“Oh,” Harriet said, taking one of Rosie’s dresses from the trunk. “I had not expected something so plain.”
As soon as the words slipped from the servant’s lips, she covered her mouth with her hand and gasped. “My apologies, milady,” she said, blushing scarlet. “I had no right to make such a comment and I beg your pardon a thousand times over. I am much too prone to saying what is on my mind rather than thinking first. I do not know why I ever thought I could make a proper lady’s maid since I am incapable of keeping my thoughts to myself.”
Rosie was a bit taken aback, though she had to admit that compared to the garments gifted to her by Lord Caldwell, her old Talcott House wardrobe was worn and dreary. Functional, but not flattering. She could hardly chide the servant for being honest, though it would be wise for her to become more circumspect before speaking. However, she would reserve that admonition for a later time. She did wish to be on good terms with the servants.
“Apology accepted. The clothes are rather plain, are they not?” Rosie said with a smile which she hoped conveyed her lack of pique over Harriet’s outburst. “But they still have plenty of good wear in them so they will not go to waste.”
While Harriet hung the dresses and stowed away the other items of clothing, Rosie opened a letter addressed to her in Miss Wickersham’s recognizable scrawl. She was reminded, yet again, of the inauspicious manner in which she left Talcott House and she opened the envelope with dread.
Dear Rosie,
I trust that by the time you receive this letter you are properly married. I was most distressed by your scandalous departure. It was only through divine intervention, I am sure, that news of your escapades did not reach any further than the gate of Talcott House. As you might well imagine, a scandal would damage the good name of the establishment which I have worked very hard to maintain. You are not the only young miss in my care who is in need of a husband to provide for her and your antics could have been quite harmful to all of them. I have never known you to be a selfish or impulsive person, so I shall attribute your actions to the influence of romance as well as Lord Caldwell’s power of persuasion. I expected better of him, to be sure.
However, Lord Caldwell’s solicitor persuaded me to see reason and since you and Lord Caldwell were already betrothed, perhaps a trip to Gretna Green was not so outrageous, particularly considering Lord Caldwell’s ancestral home located in Scotland.
I wish you every happiness in your new life.
Sincerely,
Miss Wickersham
P.S. Please extend my gratitude to Lord Caldwell for his generous donation. Fabric for new gowns has been ordered and there is much excitement afoot at the prospect of fashionable clothing.
Rosie let out the breath she had been holding. Miss Wickersham had been mad, but it appears her temper had cooled a bit, helped along by a generous check from Papa’s solicitor. She would be sure to convey Miss Wickersham’s thanks to him. Her papa was the most generous man she had ever known and she could imagine the excitement of the residents of Talcott House at the news of fashionable new clothing.
Though she hoped Lily’s would not be exceptionally flattering, she thought with a giggle.
When she looked up she noticed Harriet standing behind her at rather close quarters. Rosie quickly folded the letter and put it in the drawer of her writing desk.
Harriet busied herself with taking additional items from the trunk and when she lifted out another dress, an envelope fluttered to the floor. Rosie quickly retrieved it, curious as to who would have hidden a letter away in her trunk.
Dear Rosie,
I suppose you think you are clever for sneaking off and avoiding punishment. While you were behaving in a scandalous manner and running off with a man who was not your husband, I got twelve swats with the paddle and spent most of the afternoon in the naughty chair. You owe me twelve swats and if I ever see you in person again, I shall administer them myself.
As usual, you think you are better than the rest of us and above the rules.
I hope Lord Caldwell realizes what a fraud you are.
Lily
Rosie sat upon the edge of the bed, her head reeling. She knew Lily had bad feelings toward her, but she had no idea the level of vitriol. She had not been addressed in such an unfair manner since...well, since a time she wished not to remember.
Again she had a funny feeling about Harriet reading over her shoulder. She ought to burn the letter but decided to stow it away in her writing desk with the letter from Miss Wickersham. It might come in handy someday.
They had reached the bottom of the trunk which contained Rosie’s remaining pairs of shoes as well as a locked wooden box which was issued to each of the residents of Talcott House for their own private items. For the ladies of Talcott House, the contents of these boxes were sacrosanct and no one would ever dare to peek. Not even bitter Lily would do such a thing.
However, she was no longer at Talcott House and so Rosie exercised a bit of caution. When Harriet had her back turned, Rosie removed the sole of one of her shoes and retrieved a small key, which she hid in her pocket. As soon as she was alone, she would inspect the contents of the box.
For once, she was glad Papa was not at home. This was a trip down memory lane she wished to make by herself.
“Thank you, Harriet,” she said when the final chore was done.
“You are most welcome, milady,” Harriet said. “I hope you will call upon me for other tasks in the future.”
“I believe I shall,” Rosie said.
