The weather had turned a little warmer and Philomena anticipated the afternoon exercise with pleasure. She still found the country air a delight. Melting ice had muddied the paths, so she wore a strong pair of boots. She eyed the sky with caution. Despite Mrs. Bramble’s opinion that the day was “set fair,” there was no doubt that dark clouds were gathering. Still, she did not want give up her walk. There was plenty of time to reach the farm and return without a soaking. In any case, she had made a promise to Ivy. It would be a shame to disappoint the girl who sang so happily, loudly and tunelessly around the kitchen all morning that Mrs. Bramble begged her to stop.

Philomena enjoyed a pleasant hour’s walk through pastures where cattle grazed. She strode happily along the water meadow, beside a stream that threatened to burst its banks before too long, laughing at the wind as it blew her hair free of its pins and threatened to steal her hat and whisk it away. The weather held as she delivered her basket to Mrs. Jones along with Ivy’s message.

Mrs. Jones smiled. “He’s a fine catch for young Ivy, is Thomas. He’s a good boy, and he works hard. Lord Thatcham himself spoke to him the other day, something about some new machine or other. Thomas’ll take over the farm when his father’s ready. Maybe Ivy’s just the wife for him.” Ivy would be ecstatic.

Philomena drank a glass of lemonade and set off on the return journey. Her legs ached. She wondered whether she had taken cold: several of the household had begun sniffling into kerchiefs lately.

Apprehensive, she squinted at the sky. Black clouds eddied and swirled, building fast into a heavy mass. The wind seemed to grow wilder by the moment. Philomena shivered and quickened her step. A drop of rain spotted her pelisse and another plinked on the tip of her nose. She walked faster, looking for some kind of shelter.

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

In other circumstances, Philomena would have enjoyed the walk through one of the prettiest parts of the estate. Lord Thatcham’s father had built a small gazebo on top of a lightly wooded hill, overlooking the stream. Today’s change in the weather, though, hastened her step. There was no time to drink in the surroundings. She hurried towards the safety of the Hall.