“That sounds heavenly,” Ellie murmured.
“My name is Mrs. Hatch,” the woman shared as they walked down a narrow hall. “I have been the cook for nearly ten years now.”
“That is a remarkable feat.”
The woman stopped outside an open door and gestured that she should go first. As she stepped into the room, she saw a woman sitting behind a desk. The woman was dressed in a drab gown, her silver hair tied into a tight bun, and she had a pleasant disposition about her.
“Whatever do we have here, Mrs. Hatch?” the woman asked.
“This young woman is hoping to speak to Lady Bideford,” Mrs. Hatch revealed. “Thorne took one look at her and sent her to the servant’s entrance.”
The woman watched her closely. “What business do you have with Lady Bideford?”
“She is expecting me,” Ellie replied.
“Is that so?” the woman asked. “What is your name, miss?”
Ellie met her gaze. “My name is Miss Elizabeth Bentley.”
The woman’s brow shot up. “You are Miss Elizabeth Bentley?” she repeated slowly.
“I am.”
“I do apologize for this unfortunate misunderstanding,” the woman rushed to say as she rose. “You most assuredly do not belong down in the servant’s quarters.”
The woman stepped closer to her and continued. “My name is Mrs. Noelle, and I am the housekeeper,” she shared.
Mrs. Hatch spoke up. “I shall see to heating the water for her bath.”
“Very good,” Mrs. Noelle said before turning her attention back to Ellie. “If you will follow me, I shall show you upstairs.”
As they stepped into the hall, Mrs. Noelle shouted, “Wilstead!”
A tall, lanky man appeared from one of the rooms. “Yes, Mrs. Noelle?”
“Will you please collect Miss Bentley’s valise and see that it is placed in the lilac bedchamber?” Mrs. Noelle glanced over at Ellie. “Where are the rest of your trunks?”
“I didn’t bring any trunks with me.”
“No?”
She shook her head. “I just brought my valise with me, and I intend to purchase gowns.”
If Mrs. Noelle was surprised by her comments, she didn’t show it. Her face remained expressionless. “Very good, then.”
Ellie handed her valise to the footman and hurried to catch up to the housekeeper, who had begun ascending the stairs. “The dinner bell will be ringing in an hour, so you will have time for a long soak,” Mrs. Noelle informed her.
The housekeeper glanced over at her, then said, “I must imagine you didn’t bring a lady’s maid with you.”
“I did not.”
“We shall assign a maid to see to your needs.” Mrs. Noelle opened a door and stood to the side to let Ellie enter first.
Ellie stepped into a hall, her eyes drawn to the large portraits hung on the wall.
Mrs. Noelle started walking down the hall and spoke over her shoulder. “I must apologize again for the confusion, but I’m afraid we were expecting a new scullery maid today.”
“That would explain the mix-up.”
