Our Lady of Pain by M. C Beaton

Author:M. C Beaton [Beaton, M. C]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Suspense, Thrillers
ISBN: 9781849012928
Google: fYX0QwAACAAJ
Publisher: Constable & Robinson Limited
Published: 2010-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

If a gold ring sticks tight on the finger, and cannot easily be removed, touch it with mercury, and it will become so brittle that a single blow will break it.

The Housekeeper’s Receipt Book, 1813

At last the long wake was over and the castle fell silent again, apart from the screeching of the wind, for the fine weather had broken and ragged clouds streamed in from the sea. The air was noisy, not only with the shriek of the wind but with the sound of the waves pounding against the cliffs.

To Daisy’s distress, Harry had sent a telegram to say that he had decided to go on to London with Madame Bailloux but would return shortly.

‘Is it so bad working for him?’ asked Rose.

‘No, it is just that having been your companion, I feel I have now sunk in the ranks. I am a housekeeper, admittedly with light duties. The captain expects Becket to work long hours. He should not have taken him all the way to London. I see you are still wearing your engagement ring on a chain round your neck. Do you keep it there in the hope that the captain will put it back on your finger?’

Rose flushed. ‘It is an expensive ring and I do not want to risk losing it.’ She lifted the chain from around her neck, took off the ring and put it on her finger, admiring the way the diamonds flashed in the light of the oil lamp on a table behind her.

Rose sighed and then tugged at the ring. ‘It won’t come off, Daisy. It was always rather tight.’

They worked on it with soap and then with oil, but the ring stubbornly refused to move. ‘You could put a bit of mercury on it and then break it,’ suggested Daisy.

‘I cannot do that! I’ll just need to wear it. Yes, Hunter, what is it?’

‘The dressing gong has sounded,’ said the lady’s maid.

‘Oh dear,’ sighed Rose. ‘I am so tired of having to change my clothes six times a day, but Aunt Elizabeth, despite her eccentricity, is a stickler for the conventions. Choose one of the velvets, Hunter, and a shawl. The castle has become so cold.’

Dinner was a silent affair. Aunt Elizabeth had periods when she did not feel like talking at all and did not welcome conversation from anyone else.

At least the wind was blowing in the right direction and the great fire kept the room warm.

As the first course was served, Rose felt the hairs rise on the back of her neck. She looked around. Aunt Elizabeth had not hired another butler, and three footmen were on duty to serve the dinner. Rose saw one she had not seen before. He was a youngish man, tall and thin, with a white face, dusty fair hair and blue eyes.

She waited impatiently until they had retired to the drawing room and asked her hostess, ‘Who is the new footman?’

Just some English lad who came looking for work. He has excellent references.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.