The Downstairs Maid (21 page)

Realising that something awful must have happened, Lizzie stood uncertainly, wondering what to do until the door of Mama’s parlour opened and Jonathan came out. He was frowning, still wearing his riding things, his boots spattered with mud. Mama would not have been pleased about that and a chill ran down Lizzie’s spine as she wondered what was so important that he hadn’t stopped to change his boots.

‘Is something wrong?’ she asked, and then, as he hesitated, ‘I’m not a child. I saw Amy in tears so I know something has happened.’

‘Sorry, Lizzie. I know we tend to treat you as a child, but you will have to know.’ He gave a sigh of exasperation and ran his fingers through his dark hair. Like Amy, he took after his father, while Lizzie was much like her mother had been as a young girl. ‘Amy is upset because Mama told her that she must break off her engagement.’

‘Break it off? No! Why should she?’ Lizzie was astonished and immediately concerned for Sir Arthur. ‘She can’t. It would be humiliating for him.’

‘Amy doesn’t want to. She quarrelled with Mama, but I can’t see how she can marry him now. There’s going to be such a scandal.’

‘A scandal?’ Lizzie shivered, feeling the ice at the nape of her neck. ‘What has happened?’

‘I’m not sure of all the details, but you knew Sir Arthur had sold a lot of shares in his emerald mine?’ Lizzie nodded. ‘Well, it seems that it was a fraud – at least that’s what the papers are saying. The shares are practically worthless. It’s something to do with the leases on the land reverting to the government over there. Apparently, Arthur neglected to renew on the right day and they lapsed so now he has no right to the mine and everyone has lost their money. Of course most people will just blame him – and at worst he could be charged with fraud.’

‘No, surely not? He sold the shares in good faith, didn’t he?’

‘Yes, of course he did – well, as far as I know. People won’t care about whose fault it was, Lizzie. If the mine has failed for whatever reason, they are going to resent losing their money. Arthur’s name will be dragged through the mud. If he can prove it wasn’t his fault, he may not be accused of fraud – but people will still be angry.’

Lizzie stared at her brother in horror. She had no idea of how shares worked or about leases on mineral rights, but she did know that this was serious. A lot of people had invested money in Arthur’s scheme and he would be labelled a cheat or a fraud, even if it was something outside his control, which it surely was if the government out there had taken away his lease and the right to mine for emeralds. She felt a sinking inside, not because the wedding was off but because it was all so horrible and Arthur would be in trouble.

‘Has he lost all his money?’

‘I doubt it, because he has a lot of irons in the fire and his risk was spread, but some people have lost a lot of money they couldn’t afford to lose. It isn’t just the money, Lizzie – it’s the scandal. Amy said she would marry him regardless but Mama said that Papa would forbid it and the awful thing is that he will. Amy would have to go against him and Mama – and Granny too. She would probably find she wasn’t welcome in society as his wife. Until the scandal blows over he will be an outcast. No one will want to know him. The wedding will have to be called off immediately and Amy is going to be caught up in this scandal whether she likes it or not.’

‘That is awful.’ Lizzie now felt sorry for her sister. Amy had been looking forward to being the wife of the wealthy Sir Arthur Jones, and now she would have the shadow of scandal hanging over her, perhaps the chance of a rich marriage gone for ever. Yet in her heart, Lizzie felt Arthur’s disgrace and the loss of his bride was more painful. He’d been in love with Amy, but she had only wanted the money and prestige the marriage would bring her. ‘Do you think I should go to her?’

‘I wouldn’t if I were you,’ Jonathan said. ‘She might snap your head off. She shouted at Mama and ran from the room, but I think she knows it’s over.’

Lizzie knew he was right. When Papa heard he would withdraw his permission, force Amy to withdraw. Or more likely, he would summon Sir Arthur, demand an explanation and, if it were not considered satisfactory, he would expect Arthur to do the right thing – which was, of course, to withdraw.

Lizzie’s eyes filled with tears as she turned away. Her heart ached for Arthur and his pain. Amy would be humiliated and disappointed although in time she would get over it, but Arthur had really loved her and it would break his heart.

‘Sir Arthur is with Papa in the library,’ Lizzie said entering her sister’s bedroom the following afternoon as Amy was changing into a gown for the evening. ‘I saw him arrive and smiled at him, but he looked stern and worried. I’m not sure he even saw me.’

‘How long ago was that?’ Amy asked.

‘Just a few minutes. I thought you should know he was here.’

‘Thank you.’ Amy’s hands were trembling. She looked nervous and unsure. Lizzie wanted to comfort her but there was nothing she could say. ‘Do you think I should go down?’

‘You can’t intrude on them while they’re talking. I don’t think either of them would appreciate you being there – it’s men’s business, Amy. You should wait in the parlour opposite until you hear Sir Arthur leaving.’

‘He will surely ask for me.’

‘He might not if Papa tells him he is a disgrace and asks him to release you.’

‘Father wouldn’t do that without my permission … would he?’

Amy gripped the handle of her hairbrush so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Lizzie had never seen her sister like this and her heart went out to her. Even if Amy hadn’t loved Arthur, she’d liked him and she was clearly very upset.

‘You know how angry Papa was when he heard the news. I heard him speaking to Granny this morning. She was advising it and he agreed with her that it was the best thing for all of us.’

Amy dropped the hairbrush on her dressing table with a little clatter. Her nervousness turned to sudden anger and her head went up, her eyes bright with pride.

‘No! I won’t be bullied into giving him up. It is my decision, not Papa’s and certainly not Grandmama’s.’

‘Can you stand against the whole family? They are all convinced you should walk away from him … except me. I think you should do what you want, Amy. If you still care for him you should stand by him.’

‘As you would?’ Amy smiled at her. ‘It’s all right, dearest. I know you are fond of Arthur. I’m fond of him too. I think I’ve realised it more since all this happened.’

‘Go down now,’ Lizzie urged. ‘If Papa tries to send him away you can tell him you still wish to marry him.’

‘Yes, I shall. Thank you for telling me Arthur was here.’

Lizzie watched her sister walk away. She hoped it would all turn out right but she knew it was unlikely. Their father had been adamant that the wedding could not go ahead. Whatever Amy said, he was unlikely to change his mind. The only way she could marry Sir Arthur now was to run away with him, but somehow Lizzie didn’t think her sister would carry her defiance that far.

Emily finished scouring the breakfast dishes, washed down the wooden draining boards and then wiped her hands on a towel before going through to the big, slightly over-warm kitchen where Cook was busy preparing food for the midday meal. At least she had been when Emily started her work, but the scene in the kitchen was very different now. Most of the servants seemed to have gathered there and were talking in an excited manner. A hush fell over them as she walked in and they looked at one another, as if wondering what to say to her.

‘I’ve finished the dishes and I’ve cleaned the sinks and surfaces. What should I do now?’

‘You’d best come and sit down and have a cup of tea, same as the rest of us, Emily. We’ve had a bit of a shock if you want the truth,’ Mrs Hattersley said and pointed to a spare stool.

Emily approached but didn’t sit immediately. She looked at the faces of the other servants. Everyone seemed very serious. ‘Has something happened?’

‘It’s terrible that’s what it is,’ Mrs Marsh said. ‘I’ve never known such a scandal in the family.’

‘Sir Arthur wasn’t really family – yet,’ Tomas Phillips objected.

He was wearing black trousers, a white shirt and a waistcoat with a striped red front. In the evenings when he was serving upstairs, he’d wear a dark coat over his waistcoat but when he was downstairs during the day he took it off.

‘He was considered family being engaged to Miss Amy and this scandal must reflect badly on her. It’s a tragedy.’

Mr Payne, his lordship’s valet, a middle-aged man with slightly receding hair shook his head sorrowfully. Like the footmen, he wore dark clothes and a white shirt, but had kept his coat on.

‘This is a very sad day for us all.’

‘Has someone died?’ Emily asked.

‘Not died but …’ Cook looked odd and shook her head. ‘Well, we don’t know the truth of it so perhaps we shouldn’t say.’

‘What has happened?’

‘Miss Amy’s engagement is off,’ Mary said. ‘They won’t be getting married.’

Emily accepted the cup of strong tea placed before her on the table. She felt cold all over. Looking at their faces, she sensed there was a lot more that she wasn’t being told. Because she was still new at the manor, they didn’t quite trust her and whatever had happened was out of the ordinary.

‘Well,’ Mr Payne said, placing his empty cup on the kitchen table. ‘I’m sure we’re all very sorry about what has happened today. I thought you should all know, but there must be no gossiping about this unpleasant business. Anyone who takes this outside the family will be severely reprimanded. His lordship is adamant that this is all to be kept as quiet as possible, for Miss Amy’s sake.’

‘Yes, Mr Payne.’

‘Mary, you’re wanted upstairs. The rest of you, get on with your work.’

Mary obeyed without question. Over the past two weeks since she arrived, Emily had noticed that Mr Payne was respected by everyone and seemed to be in charge when Mr Hattersley wasn’t around, though Mrs Marsh looked after the household arrangements. It was she who asked Cook what was needed for the larder and paid the tradesmen who came to the kitchen door once a month.

One by one the maids and footmen finished their tea and left the kitchen. Emily had emptied her cup and, without waiting to be asked, she gathered the dirty cups on to a tray and picked them up ready to take through to the scullery. She felt sorry for Miss Amy, even though the girl had been rude about her dress that night at the dance, but of course she’d been right, and Emily no longer resented her comments.

‘Put that tray down for a moment,’ Mrs Hattersley said. ‘I think you should know it all, and then you won’t do or say anything silly.’

Emily pulled out a chair and sat down, looking at her expectantly. She already knew that Mrs Hattersley enjoyed a gossip when she wasn’t too busy. Emily’s eyes travelled round the large kitchen, which was twice the size of her mother’s at home. The range was large too and took a lot of blacking and brushing. Emily didn’t enjoy that, but it was a part of her job, just as scrubbing the floor and the scullery was her work.

‘Why has the engagement been called off?’

‘They say Sir Arthur’s emerald mine is in trouble and a lot of people may lose their money. They say he may have sold the shares fraudulently – though I don’t believe that myself. You wouldn’t find a more decent and honest man if you searched the country … but mud sticks even if it isn’t warranted.’

Emily stared at her in silence for a moment, then, ‘That’s a shame. Miss Amy must be very upset.’

‘Yes, of course she is,’ Mrs Hattersley agreed. ‘Marriage in families like ours isn’t always a love match, but I think Miss Amy is fond of him and she was happy. We’d been expecting lots of visitors, parties, dances and the like. It was part of the reason you were taken on. There’s bound to be a terrible scandal whatever happens.’

‘Does that mean I’ll be let go?’ She’d hardly got here and now they wouldn’t need her. Emily was conscious of a sharp disappointment. Even though some of the others weren’t particularly friendly she liked the cook and the footmen, and the maids seemed all right too. It was just Mrs Marsh and Miss Lancaster who treated her as an outsider.

‘Not if I have anything to do with it. You’ve been a big help to me since you came. The last girl took ages to do a simple job. You just get on without being asked. Don’t worry; I’ll put in a good word for you with Mrs Marsh.’

‘Thank you. My mother needs my wages, because my Pa isn’t well.’

‘Mrs Marsh told me. I’m sorry your father isn’t well, lass, but I’m glad to have you here.’

‘If they get rid of anyone it will be me. I’m only the scullery maid.’

‘Well, if you work as hard as you have recently, you’ll soon be promoted to my assistant.’

‘Will that mean more money?’ She frowned and Emily added, ‘I only ask because it’s for my pa, Mrs Hattersley.’

‘I understand you want to do your best for your family at a time like this, but be careful, because they may decide they don’t need you now.’

Emily was thoughtful as she went through to the scullery to start preparing vegetables for lunch. If she’d been a spiteful girl she would’ve thought Miss Amy had got her come-uppance for being such a snob, but instead she felt sorry for her. It was rotten luck and she must be feeling devastated, especially if she’d been in love with him.

‘We shall be busy today,’ Mrs Hattersley said the next morning. She was rolling pastry with a wooden pin and dusted it with flour, before turning the dough on the marble slab. ‘Lord Barton decided that they would go ahead with a reception for the church dignitaries – it was planned months ago and I understand a couple of bishops are coming here. Mr Hattersley said Lord Barton thought it would occasion more scandal to cancel than to go ahead. It is more a business meeting than a party, of course – but they all have a buffet lunch here and as there are at least twenty of them it makes more work for us.’

‘It may help to lift the gloom,’ Emily said. Everyone was still subdued, speaking in whispers and looking anxious. ‘I’d rather be busy than sit around with nothing to do.’