CHAPTER THREE (Part One)
Rosalind was wakened next morning by impatient knocking at her door.
‘Who is it?’
‘It’s Maggie with your hot water.’
Rosalind opened the door and Maggie bustled in carrying a jug and then poured the steaming water into the china bowl on the washstand.
‘How did you sleep, Roz?’
Rosalind decided to keep her own council as to what had happened in the night. ‘Fair,’ she said briefly.
‘Only to be expected in a strange bed,’ Maggie said. ‘Breakfast is ready in the servants’ hall as soon as you’re ready.’
Rosalind suddenly remembered her nine o’clock appointment in the study. ‘What time is it now?’
‘Half past seven. I’ve been up since five lighting fires. I’ll do yours when you’re having your breakfast.’
‘It’s a hard life for you, Maggie.’
‘Not at all,’ Maggie said with a smile. ‘It’s better than being at home sharing a bed with my nine brothers and sisters.’ She placed her hands on her big hips. ‘Well, I must get on or Cook will skin me alive,’ she said and bustled off.
Left alone Rosalind sponged down and felt fresher for it and more able to tackle whenever was thrown in her path. Pulling her black wool mourning dress over her clean under-linen Rosalind felt ready to venture from her bedroom.
She was making her way toward to the back stairs which led down the to servants’ hall when her name was called.
‘Miss Trevellian!’
Rosalind turned to see Cedric Trevellian in the corridor behind her. She felt her features stiffen at the sight of him. She could not forget the way he stood by silently the night before while she had been humiliated.
‘Good morning, Mr Cedric.’ Her tone was crisp.
‘I wanted to apologise for what happened last night,’ he said walking towards her.
‘Sir Leopold acted very wrongly,’ she ventured to say. ‘I’m a stranger under his roof and thought I was also under his protection.’
‘You must forgive my father, Miss Trevellian. That is his way.’
She noticed he did not apologise for his own lack of support.
‘I’ve come personally to take you down to breakfast,’ he went on.
She wondered why he thought it necessary to escort her to the servants’ hall.
‘I think I can find my way to the kitchens, Mr Cedric.’
He frowned. ‘Kitchens?’
‘Mrs Gilbert has already instructed that I must take my meals there,’ Rosalind said.
A scowl crossed his plain features.
‘Mrs Gilbert had no right,’ he said. ‘You will take all your meals with the family. Sir Leopold wishes it and so do I.’
Rosalind was too astonished to speak.
‘My daughter Pricilla is an early riser and will be at breakfast,’ he said. ‘It is an ideal time for you to become acquainted with her, I think. This way, Miss Trevellian.’
They descended the staircases together.
‘I see you are still in mourning,’ Cedric said. ‘When did your father pass over?’
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POVERTY'S PRIDE
التاريخية1885 When her father dies, Rosalind Trevellian (19) is left destitute and homeless. Grief-stricken and apprehensive, Rosalind travels far west to the mansion of her distant cousin Sir Leopold Trevellian. A great scandal has rocked the family in the...
