Page 26 of The Truth about the Earl
Norah laughed. “That, I cannot tell you, for I am sure that – ” A quiet scratch at the door alerted her to the footman’s presence, ending their conversation for the moment. Calling for them to come in, she accepted the note from the footman’s hand, then bade him to remain for a few moments to see if there was to be an immediate reply.
The wax seal was unbranded and Norah broke it quickly, turning it around as she unfolded it.
A cold sweat broke out across her forehead, her fingers tightening on the letter as her stomach began to swirl. Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes, then looked up at the waiting footman.
“Who brought this note?” Her voice was tight and a little breathless, making Lady Adlay’s eyes widen with alarm. “Who brought it to the house?”
The footman spread his hands. “It was a young boy, my lady,” he replied, suddenly looking a little afraid. “One of the rascals from the street.”
She closed her eyes. “I see.”
“I could go and see if I could find him, my lady?”
Shaking her head, Norah waved her hand, dismissing him. “No, there is no reason to do so. I do not think that you would find him but I appreciate your willingness to be of assistance.” Setting her shoulders, she shook her head. “You may return to your duties.”
“Wait.”
Lady Adlay turned her head, catching the footman’s attention. “You shall inform the butler that Lady Essington requests that should such a child bring a note like this again, that they are to be taken into the house immediately. Lady Essington will need to know where such a note has been brought from.”
Norah nodded, her lips flat together as the footman promised he would go to the butler at once, to inform him of such a thing. Evidently, Lady Adlay could see that this was of great seriousness. Waiting until the door closed, she shook her head to herself, panic trying to grasp a hold of her heart.
“Whatever is the matter, Norah?”
“The note.” Norah handed it to her friend, a little surprised at the tremble in her frame as she did so. “Whatever am I to do?”
Lady Adlay took the note from her but read it aloud. “‘Mrs. Fullerton – for yes, I know that is who you are, - you shall write that Miss Geraldine Pottinger has been seen alone in the company of one Lord Umbridge. If you do not, then there will be consequences that shall not only fall upon your head but on those of your friends.’” Wide-eyed, Lady Adlay looked back at Norah, color draining from her cheeks. “Good heavens!”
“Consequences?” Norah repeated, her eyebrows lifting to her hair. “What could such consequences be?”
“More important is the question how did this person know who you were? Thatyouare Lady Fullerton?”
Norah closed her eyes, fright running through her veins. Lady Gillingham had done this for years and had never oncebeen caught out. She had been doing so for only a few weeks and now, it seemed, had found herself in the midst of great difficulty with the threat of being revealed to the entirety of theton! Her heart began to hammer hard against her chest and she took in great gulps of air in an attempt to slow down her racing heart.
“You need not become upset.” Rising, Lady Adlay came to sit near to Norah, reaching across to put a comforting hand on her arm. “I am certain that we will be able to discover who such a person is.”
“I am not certain we shall.” Norah hated that her voice trembled but forced herself to lift her chin. “And now I am uncertain as to what is best to do.” Taking the letter from Lady Adlay, she looked down at it, her eyes a little dull. “I am afraid of what such consequences might be.”
Lady Adlay waved a hand. “I am certain that they mean nothing,” she said, with more confidence than Norah felt. “It is naught but a threat without any real strength behind it. What consequences could they bring?”
“They could inform thetonthat I am Mrs. Fullerton.”
Shaking her head, Lady Adlay smiled. “They cannot, for they have no proof! It would simply be the word of one lady or gentleman against yours. They cannot show anything that would evidence you being the lady in question, I am sure.”
This did not bring Norah any confidence. Her mind swirled, her stomach twisting this way and that as her hands clenched tightly into fists. She did not know what was best to do.
“I think you ought to ignore this letter, write your article as you planned, and then send it to the paper without delay.” The firmness in Lady Adlay’s voice helped encourage Norah a little, and she took in a long, shaky breath. “Show this person that you are not to be intimidated. If you do as they wish, then they will simply write you another note and demand that you do the very same again.”
Norah swallowed against the growing tightness in her throat. “But if I do not, then I risk the consequences,” she said quietly, as Lady Adlay nodded. “I am afraid – not for myself, but for you. For others of my acquaintance that I am close to.”
Lady Adlay smiled, a glint of determination in her eyes. “You need have no fear for me,” she stated, firmly. “I am quite determined that you should not give in. To do so would only prompt them to do the very same thing again and what should you do then?”
Norah nodded slowly, taking in a deep breath and trying to steady herself. Lady Adlay was quite correct. If she gave in now, then the person responsible for this note in the first place would expect her to obey again and again. Her stomach cramped, however, as she looked into Lady Adlay’s eyes and began to fear what would occur should she ignore the note entirely.
“What other choice do I have?” she murmured aloud as Lady Adlay rose and moved back to her seat, ready to pick up her teacup again. “I only pray that nothing untoward occurs, else I shall have to bear the weight of such a thing on my conscience.”
“We will be quite safe, I am certain,” Lady Adlay replied. “Now, let us call for some more tea and perhaps a few more honey cakes?” Her gently lifted eyebrow made Norah laugh as she nodded, rising to her feet and going to ring the bell. Perhaps Lady Adlay was correct. Perhaps all would be well and this would be nothing more than a brief, dark moment that would pass without further repercussion. Norah could only hope that it would be so.
Chapter Ten
