The Companion of Lady Holmeshire Read Free

cost of food is so very high. And in the winter, some do not have enough. They do care to look out for each other, though!”
    “ Those without enough look out for each other. And their betters do not notice their being in want for all the parties we must attend! It is time that that should change. Then that is my intention—that they will have more means to provide for themselves. We must create more work, that they may have more food and coal in the winter. I must talk to his Lordship, should he ever return from his travels!”
    Barreby stepped in to inform the women that Elizabeth and Anne had climbed the hill and entered the house. “Should I send them up for you to meet Anne, ma’am?” He was a kindly man, jolly, but strongly committed to his responsibilities.
    “ Let us move, first, to the Sitting Room,” Winnie said. “We will be ready in fifteen minutes. Have Elizabeth show Anne the arrangement of their bedroom for now.” She turned to Emma. “They shall spend their lives together here. Is it not nice when sisters can be together?”
    ***
    In London, Lady Genevieve, daughter of the Marquess of Breyton, stepped out of a carriage behind her mother into a spacious park, filled with towering trees, for their regular walk. Their umbrellas up, they strolled happily, recounting their diary of upcoming dinners and leisurely teas. The ladies waved to friends on horseback, promising to join them for a ride on their estate quite soon.
    They watched a man release a pigeon into the air, which sobered the Marchioness. She recalled the fearsome incident that they had experienced during a respite to Bath. While they were feeding birds in the seaside town, they had noticed a man watching Genevieve for the second time that day! Lady Breyton, again, expressed feelings of fright. “We must be cautious, Genny, as we do not understand the man who was observing our actions in Bath.”
    “ Mama, I believe there was a different man watching us Monday, when I went out with Auntie!”
    “ Monday?”
    “ Yes, but he was ever so different. This man was thin! He was also a gentleman, well dressed, like the first man.”
    “ He was thin, Genny? It surely was a different man, then. I can’t imagine, though, why there should be two men watching you!”
    Genevieve looked around, through the tidy wintery scene, and suddenly turned back to her mother. “Hush, Mother! I saw him again! Just this moment! He rode past, staring at us! Let us go, Mama!”
    “ Where, dear, which coach?” Her mother was now obviously in doubt.
    Genny froze and dared not point. “Let us go, please Mama, let us go now !” Her pleading ended abruptly, for whether the Lady Grace Breyton believed her or not, they must leave! She took her mother by the hand and pulled her along, dropping her umbrella to wave for their coachman. Her conviction persuaded her mother, and she, too, took up her skirts to move quickly.
    In the carriage and on their way home, the women exchanged anxious thoughts. “This is so incomprehensible, Mama! Why could they be following us?”
    “ I do not know, Genny. We must talk to Papa today. There shall be no more delay, if you are certain. This is most distressing!”
    ***
    On the other side of London, a young Earl walked over the plank, and the swirling waters below it, to exit a ship that had just arrived from afar. Adjusting his sense of balance to the solid land that was at last under his feet, he was approached by an old acquaintance, his solicitor.
    “ My Lord Holmeshire!”
    “ Mr. Wentby! How nice that you have come all the way here to meet me as I set foot on English soil again. Although, I must say, this English ground will not seem to behave properly. What spy has sent you?”
    “ I meet you by coincidence, My Lord. I am here to fetch my mother-in-law.”
    “ Ah, do have a pleasant visit with the dear lady, then, sir. I am home, at long last, after my travels on the Continent. Pray, do not notify my mother, as I want to see