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“My safety?” she asked, confused.
“Yes, My Lady. Trouble has been brewing in the streets of London since yesterday, like I told you.”
“Trouble? I don’t know where you think you are, Elsa. This is London. There is always trouble brewing or lurking in the streets,” Rose responded dismissively.
“No, My Lady. You do not understand. This isn’t the normal level of tension. Something must have happened yesterday. The details aren’t clear but all I know is that it originated in the House of Lords. Now there is talk about protests and an uprising and it is spreading amongst the common folk like wildfire.”
The fear she could see in Elsa’s eyes definitely gave credence to the story she was hearing. If something was scaring her lady’s maid, maybe it was worth paying attention to.
“Protests over what? What uprising?” Rose asked in confusion.
“My Lady, the masses are rising in protest,” Elsa said. There was a brief pause before she continued. “That might be what your mother heard of, which is why she is insisting you do not go anywhere today.”
Rose couldn’t process what she was hearing fast enough. Her mother had told her not to leave the manor without explaining why. Now she was hearing from her lady’s maid, of dissent brewing in the streets, which could not only harm her chances of meeting with Kenneth but also threaten her safety.
“So you are saying I should heed my mother’s stern directive because there are rumors of protests in the street? Plus, you haven’t told me what happens to my appointment with Lord Walsrock if I take your advice.”
“My Lady, I will personally go in your place to deliver a message to the Marquess. We can quickly work out a plan for later, when all the noise in the streets has calmed down. Knowing you are not in harm’s way, though, is enough for me,” Elsa said truthfully.
If what she is saying is true, will I be able to make it to Lord Rockgonie’s manor safely?
Elsa had no reason to lie. Rose already knew she was ready to brave whatever odds she might face on her way. However, what had gotten Elsa worried might not be something little after all.
She paused and continued to look at Elsa as she processed the new piece of information she had gotten.
“If I can’t go because you are worried for my safety, then you can’t go because I will be worried about your safety,” she offered.
“I am a commoner, My Lady. I’m sure I will not be in harm’s way if I step out to meet a protest by the common folk,” Elsa responded, her voice tainted with a little sarcasm.
“Well, if you can step out in safety because you are a commoner, I’m just going to have to go disguised as one,” she concluded.
She could tell she had gotten to Elsa, from her facial expression.
“But…My Lady…” Elsa was trying to protest.
“There are no buts, Elsa. I’ve told you already that nothing is stopping me from meeting the Marquess. So it is better you get over here and help me with the best disguise ever so we can go and come back safely.”
Rose could see Elsa give up in frustration as her lady’s maid walked to her side. There was nothing left for her to say.
With her disguise finally ready after a considerable amount of time, she set out to look for her father as planned. She was wearing a maid’s uniform of Elsa’s. A fichu was also draped over her shoulders while a chip straw covered her head.
Finding the Earl reading a newspaper in the study, she informed him she was leaving for her betrothed’s manor.
Her father’s attention was immersed in the paper and he might not have heard what she said. His only reply was a grunt and that was given without him looking up.
All well and good. He doesn’t have to see me looking like this.
She linked up with Elsa again, who was waiting for her outside the study. Together, they began to make their way toward Lord Rockgonie’s manor.
They had barely left the grounds of her house when a messenger had arrived with news for her father.
Not recognizing her as a result of her disguise, the messenger addressed Elsa, greeting her lady’s maid and inquiring of their business and destination.
“With what is currently going on in town, I don’t think heading out for any reason would be a good idea,” the messenger said.
“We aren’t as vulnerable as you would like to think,” Elsa teased. “We can take care of ourselves. We will be fine.”
“That’s the problem. I don’t think any lady should be found in the streets at this time. It is a mess out there. Riots and protests have broken out all across town. When I’m done with my business here with the Earl, I will most certainly be running back home. Better safe than sorry,” the messenger responded.
