The door opened and her dark-haired lady’s maid stepped into the room. “Good morning, miss,” she said, closing the door.
“Good morning.”
Abigail smiled. “How are you faring this morning?”
“I am well, but I must admit that I am not looking forward to the inevitable tongue lashing from my parents,” Henrietta admitted.
“Why do you suppose that is?”
“My father wasn’t pleased that he was forced to leave the ball early to accompany me home, and he informed me that we would be speaking about my antics today.”
Abigail walked over to the dressing table and began organizing it. “Perhaps he will forget.”
“My father is not one to forget,” Henrietta replied. “Neither is my mother.”
“I should note that I was unable to remove the mud stain from your gown,” Abigail informed her. “I’m afraid it is quite ruined.”
“That is most unfortunate.” Henrietta tossed off her covers and put her feet over the side of the bed. “I have no doubt that I shall be lectured on that as well.”
Abigail placed her hand on the back of the dressing table’s chair. “Shall we prepare you for the day?”
“I believe that would be best.” Henrietta rose with a sigh. “I don’t wish to be late for breakfast, which might infuriate my parents even more.”
After she was situated on the chair, Abigail began to brush her brown tresses. “How exactly did you soil your gown again?” she asked.
“I slipped and landed in some mud.”
“I see, but why were you in the gardens unaccompanied?”
“My mother granted me permission to step out onto the veranda.”
“And you slipped on the veranda?”
Henrietta shook her head. “No, I slipped on one of the footpaths when I went to admire the rose bushes.”
“How did you end up in a tree, then?”
“After I fell, I panicked when I saw a couple step outside,” she confessed. “I couldn’t very well make my presence known, so I rushed into a cluster of trees that were just off the main path. Then, I thought it only made sense to climb a tree to remain out of sight.”
“That was most foolhardy on your part.”
“I would agree that climbing the tree wasn’t the most logical choice, but I’m afraid I didn’t quite know what to do, given the circumstances.”
Abigail set the brush down and picked up some hair pins. “It was most fortunate that gentleman assisted you.”
“It was, but I don’t dare inform my parents that anyone saw me.”
“How do they think you arrived at the coach?”
Henrietta reached for a bottle of lotion and began to rub it onto her arms. “I told them that I found a pathway that led to the main street undetected.”
Abigail stepped back. “Do you think it is wise to lie to your parents?”
“I am just omitting the part about the gentleman helping me,” she replied. “My parents would be furious if I told them that I had been alone with a gentleman in the gardens.”
“You make a good point.” Abigail walked over to the armoire and removed a pale pink gown. “I thought this would suffice for today.”
“I think it is lovely.”
