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Isabel felt a wave of relief when she saw her maid coming down the steps. It looked like Arnaud would fall down, but she got onto the pavement without a wobble. Arnaud gestured at the carriage.
“There is a stable for all the houses on this street around the back. There’s a stall for the horses, and you can leave the carriage there. Jenkins and Marcel will come and fetch the luggage.”
“Very good, Miss Arnaud.” Carstairs gave her a slight smile before turning to Isabel. “Do you need some help, Miss Moore?”
“Thank you.” Isabel took his hand and jumped out. She gave Arnaud a relieved smile. “You got here safely, then?”
“For the most part.” Arnaud bobbed a curtsy to mother and daughter. “If you’ll follow me, My Ladies, I’ll take you inside. That will be all, Carstairs.”
“Miss Arnaud.”
Carstairs climbed back onto the carriage as the maid went up the steps, and Isabel shuddered. They looked far too steep. Surely, they could have made them a little less complicated?
“Come on, Isabel.” Lady Dunley hitched up her skirts and began to climb the steps. “You’re going to have to get used to this. And it’s not that bad.”
Isabel begged to differ. She started to go up very slowly, almost tripping over her skirts. Pulling them up above her ankles, she went up very slowly, hoping that nobody came by and saw what was happening. If she had to do this every day, there was a very good chance she wouldn’t be leaving the house.
Finally, she got inside and into the entrance hall. It was a little small, but it was clean. Not too bad. There were carpets on the floor, but the floorboards were still visible. Isabel could only hope they didn’t go through the floor. She followed Arnaud and her mother into the front room. Bigger than she expected. It felt rather bare compared to their other house, but it did feel surprisingly homely.
Maybe she could get used to it.
“Oh, this is nice.” Lady Dunley took off her coat and handed it to Arnaud. “Better than I expected. Have you and the servants got everything in place?”
“Yes, Lady Dunley. And Mr Moorweather, our new cook, was in residence when we arrived.”
“What is he like?”
Arnaud paused.
“I don’t want to speak out of turn. I think that is something you should find out on your own.”
“Maybe we will at dinner. When is dinner, by the way?”
“Not until seven-thirty. But I can fetch you and Miss Moore some tea if you like?”
“Please, Arnaud. I need a drink.” Lady Dunley passed her hat to the maid and sat in one of the chairs by the fire. “That was a really long journey. It’s a shame we couldn’t stop more often to take refreshments.”
“I understand.” Arnaud took Isabel’s outdoor things. “I’ll see if I can get the tea service prepared.”
Curtsying, she left the room. Isabel went to the window and looked out. The view was simply of the houses across the street. Not exactly what she wanted to see when she looked out the window.
“Isabel?”
Isabel sighed.
“Not exactly what I was expecting, but at least the house isn’t falling down.”
“It’s what we could afford with what little we’ve got,” Lady Dunley pointed out. “And I think we can make this place really homely. Plus, we’re near Hyde Park, so we can go walking whenever we want.”
“I hope so.”
Isabel didn’t like the idea of being in the house for long. She couldn’t exactly entertain gentlemen here if they came calling. They wouldn’t be too impressed. How was she supposed to go courting if she couldn’t permit them into the house?
“Oh, Isabel.”
“What, Mother?”
“I can see your mind going. You need to stop thinking so much.”
