A Class Reunited by Susie Murphy

Author:Susie Murphy [Murphy, Susie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-27T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Despite her mother’s luxurious four-poster being the largest, cosiest bed she had slept in for years, Emily dozed fitfully throughout the night. When dawn broke and light leaked into the bedchamber, she found herself staring at the underside of the bed’s canopy, wide awake. How often had her mother lain in the same position and shrank from the thought of encountering Garrett that coming day?

A long time passed before Lizzie bustled in with a scullery maid who prepared a hip bath of fragrant warm water for Emily in front of the hearth. After a rather indulgent spell of bathing that left her feeling tremendously refreshed, she donned a robe and went over to the bed where Lizzie had spread out a dress on top of the covers.

‘This used to belong to your mother,’ said Lizzie, fingering its cuff fondly. ‘The master kept all her clothes, even after—’ She reddened and coughed, before continuing, ‘I can tell you ain’t quite the same size as her so I stayed up late last night to take it in a bit and shorten the hem. It might not fit perfect but it’ll do until we can get you to a seamstress for proper fittings. You’ll want new things anyway ’cause the fashions will have changed since—’ She cut off mid-sentence again and busied herself with straightening a nonexistent crease in the skirt.

‘You oughtn’t to have worked so late on my account,’ said Emily, ‘but thank you very much for your kindness.’

Lizzie looked up. ‘It’s nuffin. I’m happy to do it.’ She offered Emily a small smile. ‘You’re very like her, if you don’t mind my saying so.’

‘Am I? Most people say that I take after my—’ It was Emily’s turn to choke off her speech. How could she be so indiscreet? She was thankful that at least the scullery maid had left the bedchamber. But how much had Lizzie known about her parents’ affair?

Lizzie kept her gaze steady as she said quietly, ‘Mr Davenport?’

Emily gulped. ‘You knew?’

‘No, but I guessed.’ Lizzie toyed with the dress’s cuff again. ‘It was almost as if the air hummed whenever the two of them were in a room together. The way they looked at each other… I walked in on them in the hallway once and I reckon they’d been just about to kiss. So I wasn’t all that surprised when, you know…’

‘When they ran away together, and took me with them,’ Emily said.

Lizzie nodded. ‘Your hair and eyes were so similar to his that I couldn’t help making the connection. I didn’t know for sure until now though.’ She bit her lip. ‘I hope you don’t think it’s too bold of me to talk about it.’

‘I don’t,’ Emily assured her. On the contrary, she was grateful to have a confidante, especially now that she and Rory were barely on speaking terms.

‘That’s what I meant when I said you’re very like your mother. The way you greeted me last night and then how you said just now that I shouldn’t have worked so late on the dress.

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.