Page 16 of The Remarkable Myth of a Nameless Lady
Chapter 10
Alicia watched in frustration as the fine ladies and their escorts left the dining room that they might retire to the parlor. Thus far, in the hours since the arrival of the fourteen extra guests, she had been near run off her feet. First had come the work of unpacking a dozen trunks, and then had come the finding of small items, forgotten in packing, or needed to make the rooms more comfortable. Followed by the necessity of helping the ladies to dress for dinner.
She had thought she would have a moment to herself then, while they dined, during which she could perhaps escape to the Duke’s study as she had originally intended, that she might winnow out his secrets. But her list of tasks had only grown ever longer. No sooner would she finish one thing than she would be given another to do.
She had been caught in the hallway by Lady Lancaster who had needed her to find a pincushion for her room, and then by Lady Nettlefold who had been quite beside herself over a rip of the sleeve of her dress that absolutely must be fixed that moment.
By the time these tasks had been accomplished, the entire assembly was milling about, settling into card games and music. The Duke had stepped into his study with another man, one who had not quite fit with the rest, but of whom the Duke seemed especially fond. To her consternation, it seemed her opportunity had fled, along with her own chance to dine that night.
“Miss…”
Alicia cringed. She was coming to dread the imperious summons. The harsh British accents grated upon her ears. Orders were given in an offhand manner, a rattling off of wants and needs that somehow must be seen to this instant, regardless of the fact that there were others who likewise would task her with their errands.
There had been a time of servants within her own home. Alicia wondered now if she had ever treated those around her so callously, but could not remember. She had been a child then, and servants to her had been her nurse and the cook, who never failed to find an extra piece of cake for the growing girl. Maybe she had been demanding in her own way, but that was the way of children, was it not?
Are these British nothing more than oversized children?It was no wonder that her father and the others despised them so. She hurried about the room, adjusting cushions and lighting, finding a piece of sheet music, and otherwise being useful, all the time wondering if she were perhaps little more than a nursemaid to these squalling invaders who demanded so much for so little in return.
Her resentment grew as the evening wore on. There was nothing to discover here, despite the bright array of uniforms. The men were wrapped up in flirtations and card games. There was nothing of import in their discussion save a commentary regarding the weather and how it would impact sailing conditions.
My father needs more than this,she thought in frustration. But the Duke stayed steadfastly within his study, and even if he had not, there was little she could do to spy out information when she was caught up in freshening cups of tea and replenishing trays of cookies to the ravenous hordes.
“Girl, fetch some more cake things from the kitchen.” This order came from the Duke’s mother, who regarded her critically a moment before adding, “And for goodness’ sake, smile. Such a serious look is very off-putting to our guests.”
The moment she was dismissed, Alicia fled from the room, cheeks flaming. There had been a soft tittering from those nearest who had heard the dressing down. For a moment it had been all she could do to not react, to instead smile and drop her eyes in modest obeisance and murmur, “Yes, Your Grace,” before going to do as she was bid.
But once in the safety of the hall, where she was alone, Alicia could hold back her rage no longer.Smile! She bared her teeth in a wild mimicry of the obedient servant and only just managed to keep from smashing the empty serving tray in her arms into the wall, though she swung it around wildly as though she would throw it, before catching it back against her chest, realizing what folly it would be to give vent to her feelings so fully.
“Whatever that tray has done to you, I suggest you allow it to apologize before you batter it beyond recognition. I am sure it meant no true offense.”
The voice came from the tall man with brown hair and laughing eyes that Alicia had seen retire with the Duke. He stood behind her, having just left the study, whose door was securely closed behind him.
For a moment Alicia stared, wondering if the Duke was still within, if he had seen her wild tantrum. “I…I am most sorry…” she stammered, her cheeks flaming as brilliantly as her hair if the heat level was any indication.
But the stranger only laughed. “I, too, have had moments where I could not hold in my feelings another moment. It is not always easy to be in service to those around you, especially if you are not accustomed to it.”
Alicia reeled back as if struck. “I hardly think you have any right to speak to me in such a familiar manner, especially in regards to things you could not possibly know about.”
He regarded her solemnly. “On the contrary, I have served for many years now, to men not near so well-born as myself. I have had to let go my pride and accept that I am where I am now perhaps as part of a greater purpose. And that while my beginnings might have been much different from the position I hold now in my life, that I would do well to remember that such things hold little importance to those around me. The past is the past. We must instead live in the present.”
“Is it so evident as all that?” she asked, the tremble in her voice betraying the emotion still so near the surface.
“The frustration is very familiar. It will get better, though, I can promise you that.” He smiled suddenly and so inviting was his expression that she could not help but smile with him. “Have faith. The Duke will make a fine master of this household, and your position will be secure so long as you keep from doing murder with that tea tray in your hand. Now, chin up! What is your duty, miss?”
She laughed then for it seemed impossible not to. “I must be off to fetch more cakes for the group. In a manner that is more pleasing to the guests.”
The stranger laughed with her. “Speaking as a guest, I find your manner charming. Now off to it. I will delay you no longer.” With that he made a shooing motion with his hands that left her chuckling as she headed back toward the kitchen.
Maybe he had a point. She needed to accept where she was now and focus on the work at hand. It was obviously impossible to do any investigating now, while the guests were out and about. Rather, she would wait until later. It would be a simple matter to explore the house once the guests were abed for the night. It was all a matter of biding her time.
That decided, Alicia needed to call less attention to herself right now, instead of more. A dutiful servant would bring the cakes, and smile as she did so. There was no room for resentment if she were going to succeed in her mission.
I can do this. My father…all of them are counting upon me to do so.
* * *
Tom watched Miss Price go, with a thoughtful expression upon his face. Behind him the door opened. Jacob joined him in the hall.
“I suspect I have just met your Irish lass,” Tom said, as they stared thoughtfully at the distant figure as she disappeared around a corner. “And unless I miss my guess, she is not what she seems.”
