Frances placed one paper atop another. “That is, I noticed them here and thought I might look through them before they were discarded. There are occasionally interesting things in old newspapers.”
“Yes, Your Grace. Though I cannot say the scandal sheets are usually very enlightening.”
“No,” Frances admitted dryly. “That has been my conclusion as well.”
She stood, brushing dust from her skirt, and tried not to look like a woman caught rummaging through refuse for secrets about her own husband.
Mrs. Carter moved toward the crate. “Shall I have them taken away?”
“In a moment,” Frances urged.
The housekeeper paused. Frances knew this was her chance. She had not intended to question Mrs. Carter, but the opportunity stood before her in a neat cap and a kind expression, and Frances had never been particularly skilled at ignoring opportunity.
“Mrs. Carter,” she began carefully.
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“You have been with His Grace a long while, have you not?”
“Eleven years this autumn.”
“Then you must know the household very well.”
“I hope so.”
Frances looked down at the newspapers, then back up. “And yet, when the baby arrived…”
Mrs. Carter’s face softened at once.
Frances hesitated. She disliked herself a little for continuing, but not enough to stop. “Was it known where she came from?”
The housekeeper folded her hands at her waist. “No, Your Grace.”
“No one knew?”
“No one in the house.”
Frances searched her face. There was no evasion there, no careful fear of speaking too much. The sweet woman offered only honesty.
“His Grace brought her here?” Frances asked.
“Yes, with the nurse and the necessary arrangements. We were told she was to be cared for, and so she was.”
“And no one asked questions?”
Mrs. Carter smiled faintly. “A house full of servants always has questions, Your Grace. But His Grace gave none of us answers.”
That sounded painfully familiar.
Frances exhaled. “Of course he did not.”
Mrs. Carter’s gaze was sympathetic. “I would tell you if I knew. Truly. But I do not think anyone here knows more than that.”
Frances believed her. It was unexpectedly disappointing.
“I see.”
Mrs. Carter’s expression grew gentler. “If I may say so, Your Grace, the little one is very fortunate.”
