Fenella J Miller by Lady Eleanor's Secret Page B

little grime tonight.”
    “Yes, my lady. What time do you wish them to be up tomorrow?”
    “Good heavens! Let them sleep as long as they want. When they have breakfasted and bathed, bring them down to me. I expect I shall be downstairs with the housekeeper.”
    As promised, Eleanor went straight to her husband’s apartment to enquire how he did. Foster was waiting to speak to her. His serious expression made her stomach lurch.
    “Tell me, he is not worse?”
    “No, my lady, Lord Bentley is sleeping comfortably. There is something I feel you ought to know. That appalling Brooks woman left, but took the housekeeper with her. They have long been cronies and feathering their own nests and no one was strong enough to stop it.”
    “No doubt we shall manage until I can appoint new staff. Unemployment is rife in the countryside, and with the price of corn so high people are starving. I will have no difficulty replacing those that have left or in appointing the extra servants a house of this size so desperately needs.”
    Too much had happened in these past twenty four hours. She supposed it was her duty to go down and arrange for someone to take over the housekeeper’s duties but her feet refused to obey her command.
    “If you will allow me, my lady, I should be happy to arrange things downstairs.”
    “Would you? Foster, I’m in your debt. But you must not leave Lord Bentley unattended.”
    “No fear of that, madam. Sam’s there now; he seems to enjoy being an inside man instead of a groom.”
    “In which case, I shall retire to my apartment. Today has been tiring. I shall see you in the morning. Remember, if Lord Bentley takes a turn for the worse you must rouse me immediately.”
    Her apartment was adjacent to her husband’s. The rooms were on the south of the house looking down the drive. Her delightful sitting-room was in the turret and one tall mullioned window faced south, the other west. Sally was waiting for her.
    “My lady, I have your clothes all sponged and pressed and there’s a bath drawn for you in the dressing room.”
    “Has it been there long?”
    “No, one of the maids came up to tell me you were on your way back. The water’s lovely and hot.”
    Eleanor could barely keep our eyes open but the thought of luxuriating in a hot bath appealed to her. She followed her abigail into her bedchamber, barely noticing the furniture or decorations in her hurry to reach her dressing room.
    “What a lovely room. Sally, make sure the communicating door is locked.”
    “I heard Mr Foster turning the key soon after his lordship was there.”
    Sinking into the rose-scented water Eleanor began to relax. She closed her eyes, barely listening to Sally’s chatter until the girl mentioned the departure of the housekeeper and the nanny. “What was that you said, Sally?”
    “Mrs Jones and Nanny Brooks were that angry. They were saying all sorts of dreadful things. I reckon it was all nonsense, my lady. How could those two cause you any harm?”
    “They couldn’t, of course. Lord Bentley will be back on his feet by the end of the week and I’m sure will deal with the matter himself.”

    At Bridgeton Abbey, Edward had regained control and ceased hurling missiles through the window. Lady Haverstock and her friend had long since vanished, no doubt to complain about his loss of temper. To have been defied by first a sister and then a wife was almost too much for a man to bear.
    How did the information that Eleanor had not run away with Bentley but was in his employ change things?
    His shoulders began to unknot. In the eyes of Society, it would make no difference why she had gone. She had left unchaperoned. He would help the rumours on their way, and within the week she would be received nowhere.
    He scowled. Not having Eleanor in his household to take care of the children was a damn nuisance but at least the spectre of her marrying and her husband demanding her inheritance had gone forever. He needed a drink. His