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‘I’ve just been to the kitchen to thank Mrs Maple for holding dinner for us. She’s a real treasure, a bit like your Hester, from what you’ve told me.’
Nancy laughed. ‘I’m not sure anyone at home would call Hester a treasure, but she does keep everyone on their toes, and you can always rely on her for good advice, whether you want it or not.’
Freddie placed his arm around her shoulders. ‘Dinner is about to be served. I’ll make sure you get to the dining room.’
That night Nancy slept from sheer exhaustion, but she awoke next morning to the sound of someone stoking the fire in her bedroom. For a moment she thought she was back in John Adam Street, but this was not the small rather shabby bedroom she had grown used to – even in the half-light of the flames licking over the coals she could see the difference.
A young housemaid rose shyly to her feet. ‘I’m sorry I disturbed you, miss.’
‘I was waking up anyway. What time is it?’
‘About half past six, I think, miss.’
‘Thank you for lighting the fire. What’s your name?’
‘It’s Lizzie, miss. Please don’t tell on me. I wasn’t supposed to disturb you.’
‘Of course not.’
‘I’ll bring you some hot chocolate, miss. If you’d like some.’
‘That would be lovely.’ Nancy watched as Lizzie gathered up the dustpan and brush. ‘Would you draw back the curtains, Lizzie? I like to watch the dawn come up.’
‘Of course, miss.’ Lizzie did as Nancy asked, although outside it was still dark.
‘Have you met my maid, Molly?’
‘Not really, miss. I did catch a glimpse of her last evening.’
‘I hope you’ll be friends with her, Lizzie.’
‘I’m sure I shall, miss.’
Lizzie hurried from the room, returning minutes later with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a ewer filled with hot water. She placed the cup on the table by the side of Nancy’s four-poster bed and proceeded to fill the pitcher on the washstand. ‘Will there be anything else, miss?’
‘No, thank you, Lizzie.’
‘Shall I send Molly to you, miss?’
‘No, it’s all right. Let her sleep on. I’m sure she’s worn out with travelling and everything.’
Lizzie bobbed a curtsey and left Nancy to enjoy the luxury of sipping delicious hot chocolate while the fire blazed up the chimney, warming the room. She watched the first grey light of dawn edging the darkness from the sky and was about to rise from her bed when Molly hurried into the room.
‘I’m sorry, miss. I overslept. I’d still be in my bed if that girl Lizzie hadn’t brought me a cup of tea. It was so kind of her.’
‘She seems nice enough, Molly. It sounds as if you’ve made a friend already.’
‘Maybe it won’t be as bad here as I thought.’
‘If you want to spend Christmas with your family, that would be all right with me. I would understand, Molly.’
‘No, miss. My place is here with you. Maybe I can see them soon, but only if it suits you.’
‘Of course. I want to see my family, too. We are only a day’s ride away.’ Nancy stretched and swung her legs over the side of the bed. ‘I will get dressed now, Molly. Something warm and practical, I think.’
‘I’ll finish unpacking your clothes this morning, miss. Apparently there’s a laundry room and a drying room, too. It will take me a while to work out where everything is.’
‘At least I know where to find the dining room now. I suppose the family go down to breakfast when it suits them, as we did at Rockwood.’
