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Ian’s tone was sympathetic. “Just an old man’s ravings.”
“Ravings? I don’t understand.”
Several servants entered and began to serve the meal. The doctor and Honora sipped their soup. “Excellent,” Ian murmured before continuing in that same matter-of-fact tone. “Most days my uncle doesn’t even know who he is. In his weakened state, I doubt the old lord will live past spring.”
Felicity’s gasp of alarm was the only sound in the room. She watched as the two continued eating. With a sigh she pushed aside her plate and concentrated instead on sipping strong, hot tea.
Her appetite had fled along with the happiness she’d felt only moments before.
4
Felicity was justslipping into her gown in preparation for dinner when there was a knock on the door.
“Bean, come in.” She stepped aside, genuinely pleased to see the young serving girl.
“Mrs. Atherton sent me to help you.” The girl’s wispy blond hair was hidden beneath a hat that resembled a lace doily. Her black dress was two sizes too big, nipped at the waist by a starched white apron.
“How kind. But I can manage by myself.”
“Well, then, I’ll just make myself useful.” The girl added another log to the fire, then glanced around the room, searching for any chore that might keep her here a while longer. “Here now,” she called, crossing to where Felicity sat in front of a dressing table. “Why don’t I do up your hair for you?”
“All right.” Felicity relinquished the brush.
“Ah, you’ve lovely hair.”
“Thank you. Tell me about yourself, Bean. Have you worked here long?” Felicity’s eyes closed after just a couple of smooth, long strokes of the brush.
“Since I was eight, ma’am.”
“That’s very young.”
“Not so young. My brother was apprenticed at seven. He works in the stables. Lord Falcon himself arranged for us to work here when our parents died.”
“That was kind of him.”
“Aye, ma’am. He’s a good man. I don’t know what would have happened to us if he hadn’t taken us in.”
“Then you’ve grown up here. You knew Chandler, and William before the accident?”
“Oh, yes. They made all the young ladies’ hearts flutter. Handsome they were. And charming. But that was before they were cursed.”
“Come now. Do you really believe in the Falcon curse?” Felicity’s lips curved in a teasing smile.
The servant gave a solemn nod of her head and lowered her voice. “You’ve not seen Lord William yet, ma’am. When you do, you’ll swear he’s possessed by the devil himself. Stares off into space. Mumbles to himself. Doesn’t seem to see or know anything anymore.”
She twisted a clump of curls and began to anchor it with a jeweled comb. Just then the comb slipped from her fingers and dropped to the floor. Felicity bent over to retrieve it. As she straightened, she caught sight of the servant in the mirror. The poor child was cringing, and all the color had drained from her face.
“I’m sorry,” Bean said with a catch in her voice. “Truly I am, ma’am.”
“No damage done,” Felicity said gently. Seeing the way the girl flinched at her outstretched hand, she asked, “What’s wrong, Bean? Why are you so afraid?”
“Nothing. It’s just…” She accepted the comb and tried again, her hand trembling. “Lady Honora would strike me if I did such a clumsy thing in her presence. Then she would order Mrs. Atherton to have me punished as well.”
Felicity struggled with a sense of outrage. “What sort of punishment?”
“I’d be sent to the scullery and made to work without food for a day or two.”
Felicity could hardly contain her fury. “That’s despicable.”