The Other Countess by Eve Edwards

Author:Eve Edwards [Eve Edwards]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Adult
Published: 2009-08-06T04:00:00+00:00

14

Ellie checked her reflection in the little polished mirror for what felt the hundredth time. She had cleaned her green gown, borrowed Dame Holton’s ancient wedding stomacher of cream and gold thread, and made herself a pair of new sleeves from another cast-off of the dame’s. The string of seed pearls around her neck also belonged to her hostess, but they had the unfortunate effect of making her old ruff look very dim by contrast. There was nothing she could do about that at this late stage. She knew she was going to be outshone by the ladies at Lacey Hall, but at least she wasn’t an absolute disgrace.

A knock at the door downstairs announced the arrival of Diego with a horse for her. Taking a deep breath, she dipped into her father’s study.

‘I’m off now, Father.’

‘Hmm? Where to?’ He looked up distractedly from his pile of books.

‘Lacey Hall. I’m dining with the family.’

‘Oh yes, you did tell me. Enjoy yourself.’ His eyes were already directed back to the last line he had written.

Ellie knew better than to seek his opinion about her appearance, so she instead called in on Dame Holton. She caught her hostess and Master March at prayer in the parlour.

‘Oh, excuse me,’ she said, seeing them both on their knees. She had suspected March was of the same creed as Dame Holton, but had preferred not coming face-to-face with the proof.

‘Why, Ellie, you look lovely,’ the dame commented, not at all abashed to be found in such a humble position. She crossed herself and rose, cupping Ellie’s face gently in her fingers. ‘Hold your head high, young lady. You need not be ashamed of how you look today.’

It took Ellie a while to coax Diego into talking to her as they rode to Lacey Hall. She knew from his banter with his master that he had a lively mind, but he was wary of showing it to an outsider. Yet he was one of the most interesting characters Ellie had ever met, so different from everyone else, not just in appearance but experience, and she had been impressed that he had willingly colluded with Jane the night before.

‘Have you been in England long, Diego?’ she asked.

‘Not that long, mistress.’

‘Do you remember your homeland?’

‘Yes.’

Ellie would’ve laughed at his skill at giving minimal and uninformative answers if she had not feared to offend him.

‘I’ve read of the deserts of North Africa in works of the ancient travellers. Is it true you can journey for days without sight of water?’

‘Yes.’

‘And that the land is made entirely of sand?’

‘Yes.’

‘Do you miss it?’

‘Yes.’

She would have to try another tack. ‘What do you miss most?’

Diego cast a searching look at her. ‘Why are you so interested in a poor servant, O beauteous Queen of May?’

That did make her laugh. The wretch had been spying on them! ‘Do you address the earl like that, Diego, with flourishing titles?’

He couldn’t hide a smile. ‘Yes, O kindly one.’

‘I wager he loves it.’ She chuckled at the thought of Will being heaped with such flowery epithets.

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