Page 42 of Castle of Refuge

“Mercy!” Joan cried, grabbing the bedsheet so it would not fall on the ground and get soiled. Her eyes were wide and she looked alarmed at the sudden summons.

Mistress Wattlesbrook was motioning to Audrey with a quick jerking of her hand for her to follow.

Audrey shrugged apologetically to Joan, who lost most of the alarm from her expression and smiled. “All is well. I can take care of this. You go on ahead.”

When they were inside the castle, Mistress Wattlesbrooksaid to Audrey in a whisper, “You must not be hanging clothes on the line.”

“Whyever not?”

“Because Lord Dericott gave me strict orders not to allow it.”

“Orders? Not to allow it?” Audrey put her hands on her hips. “If I am not allowed to do my work, then just what am I supposed to do?”

“That is just it. It is not your work anymore. We shall find another serving maid in the village.”

Audrey crossed her arms over her chest and huffed out a breath. “I was helping Joan. I don’t want to leave her to do the task herself.”

“I will send someone else to help Joan. You go and read a book or do some embroidery.” Mistress Wattlesbrook smiled. “I believe the light in the library is very good this time of day.”

The urge to let Mistress Wattlesbrook know that she would rather be hanging out sheets with Joan and the other laundry workers than embroidering was strong—surprising Audrey. She enjoyed talking to Joan and the other servants, doing something that wasn’t solitary and isolated. But Mistress Wattlesbrook was only doing as she had been told.

Audrey remembered how kind Mistress Wattlesbrook had been to her. No good would come from spewing her frustration over not being able to do what she wanted and being told what she could and could not do. The head house servant would tell her it was because Audrey was a viscount’s daughter and therefore she should not be doing such work, but what good was being a viscount’s daughter if one could not do what one wanted?

Mistress Wattlesbrook was not to blame, but Lord Dericott was.

Audrey excused herself and hurried away to look for Lord Dericott. She found him in his library, the very place Mistress Wattlesbrook had encouraged her to go. She didn’t want to think what that woman’s motives might be.

“Lord Dericott, I don’t see why I cannot hang laundry if I wish to. I must have something to do, to earn my place here.”

Audrey planted her hands firmly on her hips.

He gazed up at her and grimaced. Then he took a deep breath and let it out slowly before speaking.

“I have written to your father. I told him you are under my protection and that I am treating you as a woman of your station should be treated. And I pride myself on always keeping my word. What would he think of me if he knew I was working you like a common household servant?”

Audrey sighed. “What am I supposed to do, then? I need some way of repaying you for your kindness.”

“I do not require repayment. It is my privilege to show hospitality to you, as your father showed once to me.”

“Once, for only one night. It is not the same. I need something to do. I do not wish to spend my time being idle and unhelpful to anyone.”

“Mistress Wattlesbrook and I spoke about this. You can read and embroider. I have many books here, the best household library in four counties, and I will supply you with all you need to embroider whatever you wish.”

No doubt it was a thoughtful and generous offer.

“I enjoy reading, but I wish to do more. I need a purpose.”

“You may go on walks, and you may take any horse from my stable that you choose and go riding—with a guard for escort.”

Now she felt like a child who needed placating. Was that how he saw her?

“I want an occupation. I am not a child.”

They continued looking at each other. Perhaps Audrey was coming across as childish. Lord Dericott was an earl, a man, her protector, and for all practical purposes, her provider, but she did not know him well enough to know his thoughts.

“Forgive me.” She let out a long, slow breath. “I have no right to demand anything of you.”

“You are frustrated and you want a purpose. There is no reason to ask forgiveness for that.”