The Shadowing by Rhiannon Ward

Author:Rhiannon Ward [Ward, Rhiannon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781409192237
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2021-09-15T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Five

The highlight of Hester’s stay was to be the apple fair. Southwell was famed, she learned, for its apples, especially the Bramley variety, which was becoming renowned throughout the country as perfect for pies and dumplings. As anticipation grew, everyone at Guy House from Dorothea down to the scullery maid had an opinion on whether or not the day would be fine.

The morning, as it turned out, was overcast, with rain pitting the window, but by midday, the sun was drying the cobbles of the street, to the relief of the servants, who were to be given an afternoon off. Caroline, who had naturally missed the morning’s showers, complained that the field where the fair was to be held was a mire.

‘What shall I wear? Last year I ruined a good wool dress along the hem. Mud seeped into every fibre. I shan’t be doing that again.’

‘You could always wear dark grey,’ said Hester, aware of her limited wardrobe. ‘The mud won’t show then.’

Caroline glanced at Hester to see if she was joking.

‘I don’t want to depress myself. I’ll find a dress from last year that will be suitable. Which reminds me. Mother’s asked for me to look out some dresses to pass down to you. Do you have any colours in mind? Please don’t say grey.’

‘If I’m to keep them, they’ll have to pass muster in Bristol. Light brown or a pale lavender, perhaps.’

‘I’m sure I’ll be able to find something. Leave it with me.’

Dorothea had woken with a slight fever and said she couldn’t accompany the pair of them, trying hard to hide her disappointment.

‘I’ve been every year since I was a child. I don’t suppose a break this year will make any difference.’

Hester was shocked to see dark circles ringing Dorothea’s eyes. As she’d got to know her hostess, she agreed with Ruth’s assessment that widowhood was unlikely to suit her, as right now she showed every sign of continuing to grieve for her dead husband.

‘Would you like me to ask Edward to visit you? Perhaps a tonic will help.’

‘No, Hester, I don’t think that’ll be necessary. I didn’t sleep well, that’s all.’

They took the trap to the field. Hester would rather have walked with the steady stream of pedestrians making their way to the fair, but Caroline was adamant she didn’t want to be out in the damp weather. Her chosen dress was light coffee brown with huge leg-of-mutton sleeves.

‘That’s unlikely to hide any stains,’ commented Hester.

‘I don’t care. It’s last year’s.’

Caroline drove the trap with the same confidence as her mother, ignoring the stares as they passed. As they approached the field, she happily queued with the other carriages as the crowds passed them in high spirits. When they reached the main gate, Caroline handed the carriage to a waiting boy and gave Hester a friendly shove.

‘Go on. If we lose sight of each other, we’ll meet under the oak. Do try to let your hair down.’

Hester was assailed by a riot of music, cries of pleasure and the babble of the crowd.

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