plate down now, Lottie,’ Aurelia said casually. ‘Poor Perks was in a state of agitated nerves and I think I know whom to blame for that.’ She held up her hand. ‘It’s all right, I’m well aware of Miss Cole’s antics, and if her mistress knew the half of it she would sack the woman on the spot. Don’t allow her to lead you astray.’
‘No, my lady.’ Lottie put the plate on one of the stools. ‘Are we leaving now?’
‘Yes, I’ve had enough chitchat for one evening, and Mrs Fothergill’s unfortunate accident gave me the opportunity to slip away.’ Aurelia beckoned to Gideon, who was standing by the door. ‘Private Ellis, you may see us home.’
Gideon snapped to attention. ‘Yes, my lady.’
‘Miss Lane is new to army life and I shall charge you with the responsibility of showing her around.’
‘Yes, my lady.’ Gideon held the door open for them. ‘It will be my pleasure.’
‘Not too much pleasure, I hope.’ Aurelia tapped him on the arm with her fan. ‘You’ll be leaving soon for the Crimea, Private Ellis. Just remember that.’
‘I will, my lady.’
‘Your cloak, my lady.’ Lottie hurried after her, but Aurelia dismissed the offer with a wave of her hand.
‘It’s a lovely warm evening. I don’t need it.’ She walked on slowly, leaving Lottie and Gideon to follow at a discreet distance.
‘Is it always like this?’ Lottie whispered.
He nodded. ‘Yes, and worse. This was a quiet evening compared to some.’ He leaned closer, lowering his voice. ‘Miss Cole has a certain reputation in camp, Lottie. I wouldn’t get too friendly with her if I were you.’
‘Thank you for your concern, but you are not me, and I am perfectly capable of choosing my own friends.’ Lottie quickened her pace. ‘I’m not a schoolgirl, Gideon. I’ve met all manner of people at the inn, and I can take care of myself.’
‘If you say so.’
She knew she had offended him, and deep down she was grateful for his concern, but it was really none of his business. They walked on in silence and Gideon left them outside the Dashwoods’ residence.
Tilda opened the door and Aurelia stepped into the entrance hall, acknowledging her with a smile. ‘Tell Cook that I’m hungry. Miss Lane would also like some supper.’
‘Yes, my lady.’ Tilda sketched a curtsey and hurried off towards the baize door that separated upstairs from the servants’ domain below stairs.
‘Shall I go and help her?’ Lottie asked anxiously.
‘That’s not necessary. The servants are well aware of your position in the household. You answer to me and me alone.’ Aurelia took off her cloak and handed it to Lottie. ‘You were hard on that young man. You’ve obviously met him before tonight. Is there something I should know?’
‘Not really, my lady. Lieutenant Gillingham brought Private Ellis to the inn after he had an accident. He stayed with us for several days until he was well enough to return to duty.’
‘Ah, I see. So you nursed him back to health – a sure way to win a young man’s heart.’ Aurelia mounted the stairs, pausing to glance over her shoulder. ‘By the way, I’m inclined to agree with Private Ellis. Miss Cole has a reputation for being free with her favours, and is not the sort of person who would normally be employed as a lady’s maid.’
‘That might be said of me, my lady.’
‘True, but you are a completely different proposition from Miss Cole, who lives by her wits and has somehow convinced Mrs Fothergill of her worth. Anyway, I’m tired of the subject now. I want to take off my stays and enjoy my supper. You may have yours when I am comfortably settled in my room.’
It was almost an hour before Lottie was free to sit down to her meal in the kitchen, which was deserted except for Cissy, a small slavey who was mopping the floor. The girl, who could not have been more than eleven or twelve, was heavy-eyed and kept stopping to lean on the mop handle. Lottie could remember her first weeks at the inn, when she had been about the same age as Cissy, and her heart went out to the exhausted child. She rose from the table, leaving the pie and pickles half eaten.
‘Cissy, let me finish that for you.’
‘What?’ Cissy opened her eyes wide, and a look of fear crossed her small features. ‘Don’t tell Cook I wasn’t doing this proper.’
‘You are doing very well considering the fact that you’re half asleep.’ Lottie took the mop from her. ‘I’m good at this and I can finish it in half the time. Why don’t you take my place at the table and finish up the pie for me? I can’t eat it and it would be a shame to leave it for Lady Petunia. I think she’s fat enough already.’
Cissy hesitated, eyeing the pie and licking a dribble of spittle from the corner of her mouth. ‘Are you sure, miss?’
‘Certain sure.’ Lottie worked the mop energetically. ‘Eat up and then you can go to bed. Where do you sleep?’
Cissy had already crammed her mouth full of pie and rendered herself speechless. She jerked her head in the direction of a small corner at the far side of the range.
‘Well, at least it’s warm in winter, even if it’s a bit too cosy in summer.’ Lottie wrung the mop out and took the bucket into the scullery where she emptied it into the stone sink. ‘There you are, Cissy. If you’ve finished I’ll wash the dishes while you get ready for bed.’
‘No, really, miss. I can manage now. Ta for the grub.’
Lottie smiled. ‘All right, if you’re sure. Good night, Cissy. Sleep tight.’
‘Don’t let the bed bugs bite,’ Cissy added, giggling.
Lottie gave her a hug. ‘Get some sleep, nipper.’ She lit a candle and made her way through the silent corridors and up the back stairs, but as she reached the first floor she heard the creak of a floorboard and the patter of footsteps. She blew out the candle. It was an automatic response and it left her in deep shadow, but moonlight filtered through a window at the far end of the landing, and as she peeped round the corner she saw Lady Aurelia heading down the main staircase. She had left her mistress ready for bed, but now it seemed that Lady Aurelia had dressed herself and, judging by the speed of her descent, she was in a hurry.
It was none of her business, but curiosity got the better of her and Lottie followed Aurelia at a safe distance. She wondered if her ladyship was sleepwalking, but she seemed to have a definite purpose, and she unlocked the front door as stealthily as a burglar. She slipped outside, closing it softly behind her.
Lottie hesitated, wondering whether she ought to leave well alone and retire to bed, but she knew she would get little sleep and she followed her mistress, keeping to the shadows as much as possible. A gap between the buildings left her nowhere to hide, and she came to a halt in time to see a tall male figure emerge from a doorway.
Lady Aurelia ran straight into his arms.
