Hermione went to take tea with her nephew in the drawing room while Miranda commandeered Ruby immediately. ‘Oh, it’s so nice that I got to see you before I go,’ she gushed, appearing to be genuinely pleased to see her. ‘I didn’t know you were spending Christmas here or I would have asked my father if I could stay too. It’s going to be so boring at my grandparents’.’

‘I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time,’ Ruby answered as she went to carry her own small bag to the room she had once shared with Betty; she was looking forward to them having a good old catch-up.

Miranda pouted, but then perked up again as she said, ‘Aw well, at least we can have a good chat this evening.’

Ruby gave her a faltering smile. She’d hoped that she could spend the evening in the kitchen with the rest of the staff, but she didn’t want to hurt Miranda’s feelings so she nodded. ‘Very well, perhaps after dinner. But I’d best go and put my things away. I’ll see you later.’

Miranda watched her mount the stairs and once she was out of sight she turned and made for the drawing room with a sly smile on her face.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

Once the family and staff had eaten, Ruby helped with the clearing up and headed for her room. After she’d gone, Cook smiled. ‘It’s good to see Ruby lookin’ so well, ain’t it?’ she said. ‘She seems to ’ave settled well at Hermione’s place an’ the old woman speaks highly of her from what I’ve heard.’

‘So I believe.’ Serena nodded.

‘She’s a good girl,’ Cook went on. ‘For all the fancy gowns she has now, she still ain’t scared of lendin’ a helpin’ hand about the place. An’ who’d have thought she’d turn her hand to designin’ jewellery, eh? It’s just a pity Miss Miranda can’t be a bit more like her. That little madam still expects to be waited on hand and foot!’

Serena sighed, but said nothing.

Meanwhile, Ruby was hoping to get upstairs before Miranda sought her out, but in that she was unlucky when she found the very person she was trying to avoid waiting at the top of the stairs for her.

‘Ah, here you are.’ Miranda grinned. ‘Father and Aunt Hermione are just settling down for a game of chess and Grandfather’s still not well enough to come downstairs, so I thought I’d find you.’

‘Oh, I was just going to hang your aunt’s clothes up,’ Ruby answered, hoping that Miranda would take the hint and find something else to do.

‘Fine, I’ll help you,’ Miranda volunteered, and knowing when she was beaten Ruby trudged along the landing with Miranda close behind.