The Elopement by Tracy Rees

Author:Tracy Rees [Rees, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Published: 2022-09-26T17:00:00+00:00

Thirty-four

Pansy

Some sort of drama was going on upstairs. Clem Clearwell, the senior footman now that John had gone, came hurtling into the kitchen and told everyone they must all stay where they were, master’s orders. No one was to so much as peep above stairs until they were told otherwise. He darted off again to fetch any servants at work in the upper rooms, herding them to the basement like a sheepdog bringing in stragglers. At this time most of them were already in the kitchen or scullery – polishing shoes, mending clothes, preparing food – so it wasn’t long before they were all gathered in one place.

‘What on earth is going on?’ asked Pansy.

‘I’m not to talk about it,’ said Clem. ‘Master said he’ll ring when he’s ready and then I’m to go and get further instructions. I’m sure it won’t be long and there’s plenty of work down here to keep us all busy meanwhile.’

Grumbling, the staff returned to their jobs. Pansy was rolling pastry, not part of her official duties but one of the maids who’d been dismissed was a kitchen maid. Pansy’s mother had taught her enough of the arts of the kitchen that she could help Mrs Andrews now and then. This place gets stranger all the time, she mused as she pressed the rolling pin back and forth across the doughy circle. I wonder what’s up there that they don’t want us to see. A thought struck her and she laid the rolling pin on the table. Or who! Could it be Rowena? Had she come home? Surely not. Rowena was gone. Pansy shook her head and carried on working. With the Blythes, you never knew. She didn’t care.

Fifteen minutes later they heard Mrs Blythe calling her husband’s name, screaming like a banshee. Then they heard the front door slam and looked at each other with wondering eyes but said nothing. After another fifteen, the bell rang for Clem. He came back with the news that they could all resume normal duties.

‘Before you go,’ said Mrs Clarendon, ‘I’ll take this opportunity to tell you that the Blythes are having visitors this weekend. Mr Blythe’s cousin Martin Waverley and his wife and children arrive from Taunton tomorrow afternoon. Mrs Blythe told me earlier. They leave on Monday.’

A ripple ran around the room and Mrs Clarendon nodded. ‘I was as surprised as you, things being as they are. Perhaps we can see it as a sign that everything is getting back to normal.’

Pansy glanced at Clem, who looked as if he very much doubted such a thing. What – or who – had he seen this evening? Then she looked at Lou, who gave her a meaningful look. There would be speculation in the attic that night.

‘I want you all to chip in, you know what’s expected when there are guests. It won’t do us any harm to be reminded what it’s like to entertain. As for specific duties, I’ll talk to you individually in the morning.

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