“Marksman wouldn’t be pleased to know you’ve placed yourself in danger.”
In a very feminine protest, she struck the rug twice in succession. “I have been instructed to assist the maids. Tell my brother I am Annalise Dutton now. Audrey Moreau no longer exists. He will understand. I shall use the signal he provided me if his assistance is required immediately. Otherwise, I beg him to bring Jacobi Moreau to justice soon, for I wish to spend the remainder of my days as Alexander’s sister, and I do not wish constantly to be looking over my shoulder, fearing Moreau’s revenge.”
She could hear the scuff of Lionel’s boot in the alley. “Axe shan’t approve of your remaining inside, but I’ll give him the message. Use the light in the window to signal if there is a written message behind the loose brick. Be careful, though. If things turn bad, cut tail and run.”
She half-heartedly slapped the rug again. “Remind Alexander I am strong and not so easily broken. A bit of work shall not destroy me, but not successfully preventing the disaster ahead might. And, Lionel—”
“Yes, me lady?”
“Inform Marksman I wish to live in a peaceful England. I am fighting for peace, and I am expecting him to perform likewise.”
Caroline waltzed intoAnnalise’s room. “I thought you might join me in the attic. It has been ages since I took a turn with a sword or the bow.”
Annalise realized what was occurring at Amgen Place was not Caroline’s fault, but she could not quite shake the idea Caroline could do more to ease Annalise’s troubles. “I must beg off,” she said as she washed her hands in the bowl on her nightstand. “I am exhausted from the work I have performed today. Moreover, I cut my hand on a broken glass flute on the library’s chandelier. I planned to rest until after supper. Mrs. Sable says she will have no need of me until then.”
“You no longer spend time with me,” Caroline declared with a frown.
“I do apologize, my lady,” she said and felt some satisfaction when Caroline’s frown deepened. “Yet I must perform as is necessary in order to earn my food and the luxury of this room.”
Caroline stomped her foot in frustration. “This is ridiculous! I demand you join me for exercise and companionship.”
Annalise’s back stiffened in anger, but she prayed she had concealed the emotion from Caroline. “Naturally, my lady.” She began to braid her hair again. “Permit me a moment to secure my hair properly. You are well aware how it often falls into my eyes if I do not do otherwise.” She ignored how Caroline huffed her displeasure. “If you hold no objections, might we begin with the bow? I fear my hand might bleed and dirty the sword’s handle if I do not take precautions. It is still quite tender. I would not wish my injury to cause any inconvenience to you.”
Caroline’s features turned hard. “Enough! I understand your choler with my father’s edict, but you have no reason to tarnish ourrelationship with your pettiness!”
Annalise purposely dropped her eyes in an act of submission. “It was not my purpose to appear spiteful, my lady. I beg for your forgiveness.”
“Do not ‘my lady’ me again,” Caroline ordered. “I am your cousin.”
Annalise asked softly, “Are you truly? I know I was very young when my mother passed, but I do not recall her ever mentioning a brother and his family. She spoke of my father. Often, in fact. She cried when he did not come for us. She made me promise to one day discover a means for us to return to England. I have not considered her words for a long time, but, with my current change in status in your father’s household, I must wonder what will become of me if I displease either you or your father. Could there be someone in England who would take me in? Do I have relations in England? Did she possess other siblings? Has my uncle ever spoken of my mother’s family? Does he know if any of my mother’s family remain alive? Do you think he would provide me with such information if he chooses to leave me behind?”
“Do not continue to be a fool, Audrey,” Caroline instructed. “You are only acting as a maid for the time being, just as we have all played our roles previously. Father does not intend to leave you behind to an uncertain future.” Caroline’s features softened. “You are simply being whimsical again. Thinking yourself of the nature of the Cinder Maid. You have always believed in those tales of a handsome man who would rescue you and return you to your mother’s side, even though you know such is not possible. Your mother filled your pretty head with such tales. No husband or father came for her. Only my father chose to rescue her, and, unfortunately, he was too late to serve her properly.”
Annalise wished to shout to the heavens something of the lies she had been fed over the years. Instead, she said, “I truly do not wish tosound as if I feel betrayed, for I do not. I am eternally grateful for your father’s intervention. The alternative is not to be entertained. I am attempting, even with my poor bungling manners, to prove myself worthy of your father’s continued notice and the presentation of your friendship. I owe each of you much. I have been asked to perform as a servant in this household. Therefore, it is difficult for me to know how to respond when you request I move yet again from that realm and into yours.”
A soft knock at the door brought Clara. “Audrey, Mrs. Sable wishes you to assist me in the master’s study.”
“You are to address my cousin as ‘Miss Moreau,’” Caroline ordered.
“I beg your pardon, my lady. I thought—”
“Thank you, Clara,” Annalise overrode Caroline’s objection. “Tell Mrs. Sable I shall be there momentarily.”
The maid disappeared quickly. “You must ignore Clara. She only responds as Mrs. Sable has directed her and the others to act. In truth, I do not mind being ‘Audrey,’ for Audrey has a purpose in this household.” She would not say “Audrey’s purpose” was to assist in seeing Jacobi Moreau to justice. “Now, if you will pardon me, I have a few more debts to repay.”
