“Daisy, you have such good timing,” Georgette said, beaming brightly at the maid as she put the laden tray down on the table outside Georgette’s room.
“Really?” Daisy said, looking confused. “But I bring your meal at the same time every day, Miss Darrington.”
“I know, but you have quite rescued me from my own low mood, and as such, your timing really is perfect.”
“Well, I am pleased of that, Miss. I would not like to think of you sitting alone in there with sad thoughts.” Daisy smiled, and Georgette wished for all the world that she were not quite so isolated from the rest of the household.
If only the rest of the servants felt as Daisy did, Georgette might have some hope of friendship. Not just a few moments snatched here and there of brief conversation, but the right to be able to get to know other people and to have them come to know her equally.
“You really are so kind, Daisy. And you always manage to cheer me up, even in just a few moments.” Georgette smiled and looked down at the tray. “Dare I take the lid off?” Georgette said with a comical wince.
“I think you might be pleasantly surprised, Miss Darrington,” Daisy said, looking suddenly rather cheerful.
Georgette, in a flurry of excitement, lifted the lid from the plate which had been placed there to keep the food warm on its long journey from below stairs. There was a bowlful of a rich stew; great pieces of beef in a thick sauce with carrots and potatoes. And there, on top of the stew, was a large and beautifully cooked suet dumpling. It all smelled divine, and Georgette’s mouth began to water.
“I can hardly believe it, Daisy,” Georgette said, realizing that she had never been so grateful to receive a meal in all her life.
She had clearly missed the pleasure of eating well since she had been at Draycott Hall, suffering the most appalling dishes. Her determination to carry on regardless had rather stopped her wanting, or even thinking about, a decent meal. It was almost as if she had resigned herself to the idea that such things were no longer hers to expect. It was just another of the things she had taken for granted in her former life.
However, her stomach rumbled, and she could have wept with happiness.
“Perhaps things are improving a little, Miss Darrington,” Daisy said with a shrug.
“Oh, Daisy, perhaps they are,” Georgette said with hope. “Perhaps things really are going to be well in the end.”
Chapter 19
“Miss Darrington, forgive me, I had meant to mention this to you some days ago, but my aunt has requested you take the children for afternoon tea at her home after church. I do hope that does not interfere with your plans for the day. I realize that I had promised you that your Sunday afternoons would be yours to do with as you wish,” the Duke spoke as he helped her into the carriage. It rather struck Georgette that nothing had changed from the very beginning, and he seemed most determined to relieve his own driver of the task.
“Not at all, Your Grace. I should be very pleased to escort the girls.” Georgette felt a little excitement at the idea of such an expedition.
It went some way to dissolving the nerves she always felt in the awkward carriage ride to church every Sunday. As the driver handed in first Ffion and then Eleri, Georgette could not help noting how very pleased the little girls looked at the prospect also. As little contact as they had with their great aunt, it was clear that they had already realized that the woman was an ally; someone to love.
In truth, Georgette felt so buoyed up by the whole thing that she fought hard not to speak inappropriately on the way to church. The Duke seemed to have resumed his rather taciturn countenance, and she knew that she could not simply strike up a conversation uninvited. And yet she had wanted to do so very much. She had wanted to act as she had always done, talking freely and not waiting to be spoken to first, as any servant must.
“Are you looking forward to having tea with your Aunt Cynthia?” the Duke asked the question so suddenly and so awkwardly that Georgette almost gasped in surprise.
She had never heard him address the girls, except to tell them to be quiet in church. It was the first pleasant interaction she had witnessed, and Georgette realized that she was holding her breath as she waited for Eleri and Ffion to respond. When they remained silent for a moment, she turned to look at them, Ffion on one side, and Eleri on the other. She nodded reassuringly and was greatly relieved when Eleri spoke.
“Yes, Uncle Hamilton.” The little girl smiled at him, although Georgette felt sure that she did not look at her uncle entirely.
“Yes,” Ffion added and looked straight down at her lap.