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‘It was, but Papa would never allow me to marry William. He wants me to find a titled husband, just as Eleanora’s family do. Is that why you’re here, Nancy?’
‘No. At least, I don’t think so. It’s quite complicated because I was a foundling. I don’t know who my parents were. I was left on the steps of the orphanage and I remained in that place until I went to work for the vicar and Mrs Shaw. I was only eight years old at the time.’
‘Were they good to you?’
‘Mrs Shaw is a tyrant who doesn’t know how to treat servants properly. I was rescued by Rosie – that’s Rosalind Blanchard – whose brother owns Rockwood Castle. I’ve been raised like one of the family.’
‘But you feel that you don’t belong?’
‘Yes, but how did you know that?’
‘You have a sad look in your eyes, Nancy. You’ve obviously been used to standing up for yourself. I could tell that by the way you spoke to Eleanora. New girls usually end up in tears after five minutes in her company.’
‘I’m not going to allow anyone to bully me, least of all someone like Eleanora. Have you known her long?’
‘No, we met here for the first time. We both started a week ago.’ Tamara undressed quickly and put on her nightgown. ‘We have to be up at six o’clock and then there’s the march to the washroom.’
Nancy climbed into bed. ‘The washroom?’
‘Yes, there are no luxuries here, Nancy. We have to walk in single file to a room on the ground floor, where there are basins lined up on a shelf. The servants fill them with hot water and we have to strip down to our chemises and wash. Miss Maughfling really believes that cleanliness is next godliness. It’s all part of the discipline she hopes to instil into us.’
‘I don’t fancy that.’
‘None of us does, but we have no choice. If we don’t obey the rules we aren’t allowed to have breakfast, and sometimes that goes for luncheon, too.’ Tamara slipped between the covers on her bed.
‘If she’s caught tonight, Eleanora will be going without sustenance for a week.’ Nancy turned on her side and closed her eyes.
Next morning Nancy was roused by Tamara.
‘It’s nearly six o’clock and Eleanora hasn’t returned,’ Tamara said urgently.
Nancy yawned and blinked. ‘Perhaps she’s run off with Jack Marshall.’
‘Oh, heavens! There’ll be such a fuss and we’ll get the blame for allowing her to go in the first place.’
Nancy sat up in bed. ‘Nonsense. What could we have done?’
‘I don’t know. Maybe we ought to have told the mistress on duty. They patrol the corridors at night.’
‘Then they weren’t doing their job very well if Eleanora managed to escape from the house without being seen. I’m not taking the blame for something she’s done.’
‘No, you’re right. I must stand up for myself. Talking of which, it’s time for the washroom parade. Get up now, Nancy. We need to take our own towels and soap. You did bring some with you, I hope.’
‘No, we wash in the river where I come from,’ Nancy said, keeping a straight face, then seeing Tamara’s horrified look, she relented. ‘I’m teasing you. Of course I have what I need. I can’t wait to see this peculiar routine in action.’
‘Put on your chemise and robe and follow me.’ Tamara was already halfway to the door, and Nancy had to hurry to catch up with her.
They followed a line of their fellow students down three flights of stairs to the ground floor, where they joined another half-dozen girls, all barefoot and wearing their dressing robes. The washroom was at the back of the building and the flagstones were cold beneath Nancy’s bare feet. They had to queue to take turns at the washbasins, which were filled by servants carrying pitchers of hot water. Robes were hung on wall pegs and Miss Maughfling stood on a dais at the far end of the room, together with a younger woman.
‘That’s Miss Franklin,’ Tamara said in a low voice. ‘She’s Miss Maughfling’s assistant. She’s nice but beware of Miss Sharp. She’s one to avoid.’
A blast from Miss Maughfling’s whistle made Nancy jump, but it was obviously a cue for the girls at the washbasins to move on and the next in line to start their ablutions. It was only then that Nancy noticed another woman, whom she assumed must be the formidable Miss Sharp, standing at the other end of the room. As each young lady walked past her, Miss Sharp grabbed them by the shoulders and inspected behind their ears and the back of their necks as if searching for tidemarks. Nancy wanted to laugh, but she could see that everyone took the washing routine very seriously.
When it came to their turn, Tamara glanced round anxiously. ‘Eleanora is going to be in so much trouble.’
Nancy turned at the sound of footsteps on the flagstone floor. All the girls were barefoot except for Eleanora, who marched into the washroom, fully dressed, but with her towel wrapped round her head like a turban and a cake of soap sticking out of the fold.
‘I’m sorry I’m late, Miss Maughfling. I was out taking the air. My papa always says a good bracing early morning walk is the best medicine.’
