Charlotte looked at Gracie, and saw the confidence in her eyes, then, because she was sitting at the table sideways to her, the small hands knotted, knuckles white, in her lap. She made her decision.
‘Then, Minnie Maude, I would be very happy to engage you in the position of housemaid, starting immediately. I apologise for the urgency of the situation, and you will be compensated for the inconvenience by a double salary for the first month, to reflect also the fact that you will be alone at the beginning, which is always the most difficult time in a new place.’
Minnie Maude gulped. ‘Thank you, ma’am.’
‘After tea I shall introduce you to Jemima and Daniel. They are normally well-behaved, and the fact that you are a friend of Gracie’s will endear you to them from the beginning. Jemima knows where most things are. If you ask her, she will be happy to help you. In fact, she will probably take a pride in it, but do not allow her to be cheeky. And that goes for Daniel as well. He will probably try your patience, simply to test you. Please do not let him get away with too much.’
The kettle was boiling and she made the tea, bringing it over to the table to brew. While they were waiting she explained some of the other household arrangements, and where different things were kept.
‘I shall leave you a list of the tradesmen we use, and what they should charge you, although I dare say you are familiar with prices. But they might take advantage, if they think you don’t know.’ She went on to tell her of the dishes Daniel and Jemima liked best, and the vegetables they were likely to refuse if they thought they could get away with it. ‘And rice pudding,’ she finished. ‘That is a treat, not more than twice a week.’
‘Wi’ nutmeg on the top?’ Minnie Maude asked.
Charlotte glanced at Gracie, then smiled, the ease running through her like a warmth inside. ‘Exactly. I think this is going to work very well.’
Chapter Four
Gracie and Minnie Maude returned early in the evening, accompanied by Tellman, who carried Minnie Maude’s luggage. He took it up to the room that not long ago had been Gracie’s, then excused himself to take Gracie home. Minnie Maude began to unpack her belongings and settle in, helped by Jemima, and watched from a respectful distance by Daniel. Clothes were women’s business.
Once she had made certain that all was well, Charlotte telephoned Great-aunt Vespasia. Immensely relieved to find her at home, she asked if she might visit her.
‘You sound very serious,’ Vespasia’s voice came across the rather crackly wire.
Charlotte gripped the instrument more tightly in her hand. ‘I am. I have a great deal to tell you, and some advice to seek. But I would much prefer to tell you in person rather than this way. In fact, some of it is most confidential.’
‘Then you had better come to see me,’Vespasia replied. ‘I shall send my carriage for you. Are you ready now? We shall have supper. I was going to have Welsh rarebit on toast, with a little very good Hock I have, and then apple flan and cream. Apples at this time of year are not fit for anything except cooking.’
‘I would love it,’ Charlotte accepted. ‘I shall just make certain that my new maid is thoroughly settled and aware of what to cook for Daniel and Jemima, then I shall be ready.’
‘I thought you had had her since Gracie’s wedding,’ Vespasia remarked. ‘Is she still not able to decide what to prepare?’
‘Mrs Waterman gave notice last night and left this morning,’ Charlotte explained. ‘Gracie found me someone she has known for years, but the poor girl has only just arrived. In fact, she is still unpacking.’
‘Charlotte?’ Now Vespasia sounded worried. ‘Has something happened that is serious?’
‘Yes. Oh. . we are all alive and well, but yes, it is serious, and I am in some concern as to whether the course of action I plan is wise or not.’
‘And you are going to ask my advice? It must be serious indeed if you are willing to listen to someone else.’ Vespasia was vaguely mocking, but the anxiety all but overwhelmed her.
‘I’m not,’ Charlotte told her. ‘I have already given my word.’ She realised how final that sounded, and felt the chill rise inside her.
‘I shall dispatch my coachman immediately,’ Vespasia responded. ‘If Gracie recommends this new person then she will be good.You had better wear a cape. The evening has turned somewhat cool.’
‘Yes, yes, I will,’ Charlotte agreed, then she said goodbye, and replaced the receiver on its hook.
Half an hour later, Vespasia’s coachman knocked on the door. Minnie Maude seemed confident enough for Charlotte to leave her, and Daniel and Jemima were not in the least concerned. Indeed, they seemed to be enjoying showing her the cupboards and drawers, and telling her exactly what was kept in each.
Charlotte answered the door, told the coachman that she would be ready in a minute, then went to the kitchen. She stopped for a moment to stare at Jemima’s earnest face explaining to Minnie Maude which jugs were used to keep the day’s milk, and where the milkman was to be found in the morning. Daniel was moving from foot to foot in his urgency to put in his advice as well, and Minnie Maude was smiling at first one, then the other.
‘I may be late back,’ Charlotte interrupted. ‘Please don’t wait up for me.’
‘No, ma’am,’ Minnie Maude said quickly. ‘But I’ll be happy to, if you wish?’
‘Thank you, but please make yourself comfortable,’ Charlotte told her. ‘Good night.’
She went straight out to the carriage, and for the next half-hour rode through the streets to Vespasia’s house in Gladstone Park — which was really not so much a park as a small square with flowering trees. She sat and tried to compose in her mind exactly how she would tell Vespasia what she meant to do.
At last Charlotte sat in Vespasia’s quiet sitting room. The colours were warm, muted to a familiar gentleness. The curtains were drawn across the window onto the garden and the fire burned in the hearth with a soft whickering of flames. She looked into Vespasia’s face, and it was not so easy to explain to her the wild decision to which Charlotte had already committed herself.
Vespasia had been considered by many to be the most beautiful woman of her generation, as well as the most outrageous in her wit and her political opinions — or maybe passions would be a more fitting word. Time had marked her features lightly and if anything, liberated her temperament even more. She was secure enough in her financial means and her social pre-eminence not to have to care what other people thought of her, as long as she was certain in her own mind that a course of action was for the best. Criticism might hurt, but it was a long time since it had deterred her.
Now she sat stiff-backed — she had never lounged in her life — her silver hair coiffed to perfection. A high lace collar covered her throat and the lamplight gleaming on the three rows of pearls.
‘You had better begin at the beginning,’ she told Charlotte. ‘Supper will be another hour.’
At least Charlotte knew what the beginning was. ‘Earlier this week Mr Narraway came to see me at home, to tell me that Thomas had been in pursuit of a man who had committed a murder, almost in front of him. He and his junior had been obliged to follow this person to France, and had not had the opportunity to inform anyone of what they were doing. Mr Narraway knew that they were in France. They sent a telegram. He told me of it so that I would not worry when Thomas did not come home, or call me.’
Vespasia nodded. ‘It was courteous of him to come himself,’ she observed a trifle drily.
Charlotte caught the tone in her voice and her eyes widened.
‘He is fond of you, my dear,’ Vespasia responded. Her amusement was so slight it could barely be seen, and was gone again the second after. ‘What has this to do with the maid?’