Page 51 of A Lady's Past
Mrs. Bates was thin with a kind face and a hint of graying hair poking out from under her cap. She rushed over. “I’m just sure you both need a rest.” Her thick Yorkshire accent was light and comforting, like a favorite aunt who you only saw once a year. “I have everything made up and have arranged baths and maids for you both. I was told you wouldn’t be traveling with your own.”
Alex asked Bates, “How have things been here? Any trouble?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary, sir. I have guards posted as you requested, and no one has seen anything unusual.”
“Follow me, ladies.” Mrs. Bates smiled as they passed her husband.
Diana wanted to hear what the men were talking about, but the lure of a hot bath was too tempting. “Do you think we might find a crust of bread or something, Mrs. Bates? It has been since morning that we ate.”
When she spun around, Mrs. Bates’s eyes were wide and her mouth open. “Good gracious. That won’t do. As soon as I have you both settled, I’ll go and see Cook. You must be half starved. Those men. They should have been more considerate.”
It took a great deal of effort not to laugh. “I think they smelled home today and were anxious to get here.”
Fury waning, she pursed her lips. “I suppose I can understand that, but it’s no excuse for starving the two of you.”
It wouldn’t be surprising to find out Alexander Lynds was in trouble with his housekeeper and would hear about this. Diana giggled. “You are very kind.”
She cocked her head. “Maybe you have not had enough kindness, miss.”
The comment brought tears to Diana’s eyes, and she dashed them away.
Honoria smiled and put her arm through the crook in Diana’s elbow as they walked up the stairs. “That much is certain, Mrs. Bates. Our girl could use a dash of indulgence, and I can tell she is in the right place to be well spoiled.”
A wide smile broke out on Mrs. Bates’s warm face. “We will do our best to care for you just as we care for our Horsemen.”
“Just who are these ‘horsemen’?” Diana asked.
They stopped at a door. Mrs. Bates opened it and showed them in. “You’ll have to ask them that, miss. It’s not my place to say, but I think if you ask, they’ll tell you. It’s not much of a secret.”
Had she never asked? Diana supposed she’d been so caught up in whether she was a prisoner or under protection, she’d never considered just asking them who they were and why they were helping her. “I will ask them. Thank you, Mrs. Bates.”
With a nod, Mrs. Bates said, “You have water for washing and that tub will be filled in a few minutes. Cecilia will be your lady’s maid. She’ll be here to introduce herself in just a few minutes. The footmen will bring your trunk up right away. I’ll see to a meal and Lady Chervil will be just one door down. If you need anything at all, ask any of the staff and we will be happy to help.”
“Thank you.” Diana sat on the end of the soft down bed as soon as she was alone and looked out the window over the snow-covered gardens. Perhaps this place wouldn’t be too terrible.
There was a knock. Maids didn’t usually knock so firmly, but this was a different kind of place.
Diana wished she could have a few more moments to herself. “Come in.”
“It’s a lovely view,” Jacques said from the threshold.
She jumped up from the bed, her heart pounding in her throat. “You… I… I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
He stepped inside but left the door open. “Pres and I found out that Victor Caron was headed this way, so we took the quickest path to get here. We arrived yesterday.”
“Did you see him?” There was no sense in panicking. She was not in control of her life and hadn’t been since becoming a French prisoner.
“No. No one here has seen Farmer or Caron. You will be safe here, Diana.” He stepped closer. “Why didn’t you expect to see me?”
She pulled her chin up. “Why would I? You have your own life.”
“That is where you are wrong.”
“Excuse me.” A girl of perhaps eighteen stood in the doorway. Her dark blond hair was falling out of her cap and her cheeks were bright red like she’d been running. “Should I come back, miss?”
“No. Cecilia, is it? No. Come in. Mr. Laurent was just leaving.” Diana both wanted and didn’t want to know what he meant by his comment. He was too close, and it was too soon. She’d not gotten her heart under control yet. Though, until she’d seen him standing in the doorway, she’d thought she had.
“I’ll see you at dinner, Miss MacLeod.” He bowed and left with the hint of a grin on those beautiful lips.
