A Light Among Shadows by Tamela Hancock Murray

Author:Tamela Hancock Murray [Murray, Tamela Hancock]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc
Published: 2013-08-28T16:00:00+00:00

Twelve

By rote, Abigail managed to display impeccable manners throughout the rest of the evening. As soon as she could make excuses to retire, she took leave of Tedric and exited the study. Once she cleared the door, she tried not to run full speed to her bedchamber. Never could she let on how disappointed she had been by his tepid reaction to her gift.

Almost as soon as the door of the bedchamber shut behind Abigail with a resounding thud, she heard a knock.

“I am indisposed,” she told her unwanted visitor.

“It’s me, M’lady.”

Abigail was in no mood to see Missy, but she didn’t have the heart to keep her faithful maid at bay. “Very well, then. Come in.”

Missy entered and curtsied. “What vexes ye, M’lady? I heard yer door shut all the way down the hall to my room.”

“I did not wake you, did I?”

“Oh, no, Miss. I wasn’t asleep.”

Abigail composed herself and took her seat at the vanity table. She handed her hairbrush to Missy as though this night were just another ordinary time. “What makes you think something is wrong?”

“I don’t know,” Missy answered, although Abigail could discern from her tone of voice that her maid was not being completely truthful. “Mebbe it’s that ye don’t slam yer door in such a fashion when ye’re in a good humor, eh?” The maid brushed Abigail’s hair with far more concentration than necessary.

“I suppose I have given myself away.” Abigail sighed. “You do not believe anyone else heard the door slam, do you?”

“Oh, no, M’lady!” Missy shook her head too rapidly for Abigail to be convinced.

“Whether they did or not, it is too late to remedy the situation now.”

“What situation?” Missy’s voice held an edge that Abigail didn’t like. “Didn’t he appreciate the gifts?”

She thought for a moment. She supposed Tedric did appreciate the usefulness of the handkerchief and soap. He certainly hadn’t said he didn’t like them.

“Yes.” Abigail knew her lackluster tone and unsmiling expression revealed her doubt.

“Oh. All is well, then. Things are not as bad as they said.” Missy clapped her hand over her lips as though she hoped the action would take back her words.

“Who said what?” Abigail became conscious of her heart beating with the type of fear she hadn’t felt since Henry left her standing alone in a frigid drizzle in the dead of night. “Tell me.”

“Oh, I don’t know, M’lady. Idle gossip never did nobody no good.” Missy shook her head back and forth in quick motions.

“What idle gossip? What are they saying in the servants’ quarters? Tell me. I want to know.” Abigail’s voice grew higher in pitch as her demands escalated.

“Oh, M’lady. Ye need pay no never mind to what those old hens say.”

“I shall decide the extent of my concern. Tell me. I demand to know.” Abigail injected enough authority in her voice to show her serious intent.

“They—Mrs. Farnsworth—well,” Missy stopped herself.

“What did Mrs. Farnsworth say? If the housekeeper is gossiping about me right under my own nose, I have a right to know what she is saying.

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