Page 40 of The Affairs of Ashmore Castle

‘God, I hope so,’ said Miss Taylor. She hesitated on the brink of a revelation. She had always been intensely loyal to her mistress, though disliking her in many ways. ‘I’ve never known her uncertain on any subject except this one. I don’t like to see it.’

James Hook stepped out from the shadows and accosted Rose on her way downstairs. ‘What’s going on?’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Rose said automatically. ‘Get out of my way.’

Hook continued to block her path. ‘I seen you talking to Miss Taylor, heads together, telling secrets. You and her, chalk and cheese, you never could be best pals, so don’t tell me something’s not going on.’

Rose gave him a withering look. ‘Women’s talk. Not for little boys to know.’

‘Don’t believe it.’

‘Don’t care what you believe. And since when did I tell you my secrets, even if I had any, which I don’t? Now move yourself, James, I’m late.’

‘I’ll find out. Trust me for that. And it’s not James any more. I’m his lordship’s valet, and don’t you forget it. You’re just a housemaid.’

‘Ooh, pardon me for living, Mister Hook. Go on then, let me past and I’ll tell you my secret.’

He looked uncertain, then pleased, then uncertain again. He stood back. ‘What is it, then?’

She lowered her voice. ‘We’re both in love with you, Taylor and me. We was arguing over who’s to get you.’

For a brief moment, she had her reward in his peacocky look of pleasure, before it was replaced with a scowl. ‘Think yourself so clever, don’t you?’ he shouted after her, as she clattered on down the stairs. ‘But I’ll find out!’

It was not long before they all found out. As Rose passed Mrs Webster’s room, she saw Ida, the head kitchen-maid in there, looking anxious.

‘Rose – a minute,’ Mrs Webster called.

Oh, Lord, Mrs Oxlea’s drunk again, Rose thought, stopping. I warned her not to go to that bottle. ‘Yes, Mrs Webster?’

‘You talked to Mrs Oxlea earlier, didn’t you?’

‘I don’t think so,’ Rose hedged.

‘Brigid saw you coming away from her room,’ Ida said. ‘She was in the still-room for some soap when you come past.’

‘Oh – yes, I might have had a word,’ Rose said vaguely. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘She’s not come to start work, and it’s well past time,’ said Ida.

‘Well, start without her,’ Rose said impatiently. ‘You’ve done it often enough before.’

‘I was, we have, I put the girls on the vegetables, but I want to get Lady Stainton’s posset started’ – Kitty was still having invalid meals in her room – ‘but the lemons are in the larder and Mrs Oxlea’s took the key with her.’

‘Why don’t you ask her for it?’ Rose said.

‘I did. I knocked at her door and called out, but she didn’t answer,’ Ida said. ‘I knocked for ages in case she was asleep, but nothing. I don’t know if she’s gone out somewhere.’

‘Was she all right when you spoke to her?’ Mrs Webster asked.

‘Well, you know her,’ Rose said.

‘Was she drunk?’ Webster asked bluntly.

‘No,’ Rose said, glad to be able to tell the truth. ‘Maybe she went out for a walk.’

‘She doesn’t like walking,’ Ida said. ‘She doesn’t like going out. She never goes further than the yard. I looked for her out there, and all round here. She must be in her room.’

‘Did you look?’