“Goodness me, Daisy. What an exciting morning you have had,” Georgette said, unable to hide her enjoyment.
“The whole day has been exciting, Miss Darrington. And the servants do not seem quite so afraid anymore. That’s a good thing, Miss Darrington. And you did that. We have you to thank.”
“But just be careful what you say, Daisy. You need not let anybody know of our friendship, for I would not be too trusting just yet. You still must make sure that you and your position here are safe, whatever happens,” Georgette said, feeling responsible for the girl and hoping to guide her just a little.
“As always, Miss Darrington, I promise I shall be careful,” Daisy said and then began to fidget as she always did when it was time for her to leave.
“Thank you, Daisy,” Georgette said, smiling at her warmly.
“And thank you, Miss Darrington.” Daisy beamed at her before turning to scurry away back down the corridor.
When Daisy disappeared, Georgette picked up the tray and carried into her room. The meal smelled delightful, with a great slice of meat pie, the pastry of which was perfection itself. The seasonal vegetables smelled fragrant and were colourful, and the gravy was thick and savory. However, her excitement at everything she had heard had rather taken Georgette’s appetite, and she thought it terribly ironic that she was somehow less able to eat the perfect meal than she had been to eat no end of paltry ones which had arrived before. Still, she was determined not to leave a scrap of it, if only out of gratitude for the Duke’s effort on her behalf.
Gratitude and perhaps just a little admiration.
For several days afterward, Daisy had found herself strangely surprised that each and every meal which had arrived had been equally as perfect as the meat pie and vegetables. It was becoming clear that the housekeeper was not going to go against the wishes of the Duke himself, and Georgette could not be more pleased.
Furthermore, the water which arrived every morning in the grasp of a smiling Daisy was beautifully warm, even hot. Now that, as far as Georgette was concerned, was definitely the turning of the tide, albeit that the thing had had to be achieved by force.
Georgette had seen nothing more of the Duke until their weekly visit to church. She had been careful to mention nothing of the business at all, and he himself had said nothing of it, except to enquire after her meals as they traveled to church.
“They have been extremely nice, Your Grace. I thank you,” she said hurriedly. “I think your cook is very talented.”
“Indeed, she is, Miss Darrington.” He smiled briefly and then resumed his study of the countryside through the carriage window.
He had not spoken to the girls again as he had done the week before although Georgette rather thought that she would have to make do with the small miracles that had already been achieved in the last days.
And the rest of their visit to church had gone along without a hitch. Eleri and Ffion had been careful to stay quiet, and Ffion had held her hymn book the right way up, despite still not being able to read it properly.
Throughout the entire sermon, Georgette had heartily wished for just a few moments alone with Lady Cynthia so that she might tell her of everything that had taken place that week. Without a doubt, that good woman would have been heartened to hear how her nephew had finally taken the bull by the horns and acted in a most decisive and masterly way. However, Georgette knew that her excitement would undoubtedly be thwarted and could not tell how long she would have to wait before parting with the information.
The only event to have dulled her spirits on Sunday had been the brief, albeit expected, meeting between the Duke and Lady Louisa Wimborne outside the church as they had left. The young woman looked as beautiful as ever, and Georgette found herself made curiously low by it. Furthermore, Lady Cynthia had been more determined than ever to see the Duke and Lady Louisa in conversation.
“I must insist that you both come to me for dinner one night next week. Really, my nephew leaves me too much alone in my little country pile and cares little if I have company or not.” Lady Cynthia, amusing as always, smiled brightly as Lady Louisa laughed.
“I should very much like that, Lady Cynthia,” Lady Louisa said, clearly excited by the prospect.
“And you, Nephew?” Cynthia said, clearly cajoling.
“Oh yes, of course,” he said with little feeling.
It was curiously clear to Georgette that the Duke had little interest and yet, in truth, she felt herself to be a little jealous and knew it. And even though he seemed to have little interest in Lady Louisa, Georgette had seen marriages take place with much less enthusiasm. As the thought assailed her, she swallowed hard and began to lead the girls away just a little. The very idea that the Duke might one day be married, either to Lady Louisa Wimborne or some other young lady of substance, had rather hit her like a bolt out of the blue.