Page 48 of Murder at the Debutante Ballby

Annie slipped past me and headed up the stairs.

I waited until she was out of earshot before speaking to the housekeeper. “I’ll see she’s taken care of.”

The housekeeper dabbed at the corner of her eye with her apron. “Thank you, Miss Fox.”

“One more thing. If her ladyship asks, would you be so good as to not tell her where Annie went. I don’t want to cause friction between the Bunburys and Bainbridges.”

“She won’t ask.”

I picked up my skirts and headed up the stairs. I told Annie all about the hotel and what her duties would entail on the walk, then I asked her about the Bunburys’ ball and what she’d been holding back from Harry.

Annie’s step faltered. She bit her lower lip. “I don’t like to speak ill of my betters.”

My heart sank. Had this all been for naught?

I needed to remind myself that Annie was better off at the hotel where she would receive a regular wage and could meet people her own age. If she never confided in me, then so be it. Perhaps she just needed time to realize she could trust me. After all, she probably saw me as one of her so-called “betters” and was afraid I’d tattle to Lady Bunbury or to her new employer.

Another idea began to form as we arrived at the staff entrance to the hotel. I entered with Annie and showed her to Mrs. Short’s office. I left them then went in search of Harmony. I found her on the second floor, pushing her cart. She’d just finished her duties.

“I have a task for you, Harmony.”

I told her what I required of her, and she agreed it was the best way. Annie would trust another maid before she trusted me.

“You have to go now,” I urged.

"I can’t just abandon my cart here.”

“I’ll take it. It goes in the basement, doesn’t it?” I tried to shoo her away.

She refused to let go of the cart. “You can’t! Someone will see.”

“They won’t say anything. Go on. You need to be the first maid Mrs. Short sees coming out of her office with Annie.” Hopefully Mrs. Short would task Harmony with showing Annie to the residence hall and getting her settled.

Harmony reluctantly let go of the cart. “Are you sure you know where to take it?”

“Yes.”

“The used sheets and towels have already gone down, so you just have to take the cleaning cloths. Refill any bottles that look low, swap jars of polish if they’re nearly finished, and empty that.” She pointed to the bulging linen bag full of rubbish attached to the front. “If you hurry, you’ll be one of the first and won’t bump into many of the other maids. What will you say if someone asks what you’re doing?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’ll think of something.”

She gave me a dubious look then hurried off along the corridor to the service stairs. I followed her with the cart but took the service lift down to the basement. I avoided the kitchen area and headed for the laundry, leaving the cloths with the maids with flushed cheeks and chapped hands. I smiled as I handed the cloths over. They stared back, mouths ajar.

I pushed the cart into the housekeeping storeroom and refilled the bottles of cleaning liquid and replaced the empty jars before storing the cart in the allocated area. Only one other maid had already completed her rounds. When she recovered from her shock at seeing me, she asked if I was lost.

“I know exactly where I am.” I smiled and headed out again.

Only to stop upon seeing Mr. Chapman round the corner.

Chapter10

Ifroze at the same moment Mr. Chapman spotted me. He frowned and strode towards me.

“Are you lost, Miss Fox?”

“I, uh, needed a clean towel. I accidentally dropped the one the maid left in my bathroom and now it’s dirty.”

His frown deepened. “Then why are you walking away from the storeroom empty handed?”

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