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Chapters (44)
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Chapter One
  6. Chapter Two
  7. Chapter Three
  8. Chapter Four
  9. Chapter Five
  10. Chapter Six
  11. Chapter Seven
  12. Chapter Eight
  13. Chapter Nine
  14. Chapter Ten
  15. Chapter Eleven
  16. Chapter Twelve
  17. Chapter Thirteen
  18. Chapter Fourteen
  19. Chapter Fifteen
  20. Chapter Sixteen
  21. Chapter Seventeen
  22. Chapter Eighteen
  23. Chapter Nineteen
  24. Chapter Twenty
  25. Chapter Twenty-One
  26. Chapter Twenty-Two
  27. Chapter Twenty-Three
  28. Chapter Twenty-Four
  29. Chapter Twenty-Five
  30. Chapter Twenty-Six
  31. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  32. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  33. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  34. Chapter Thirty
  35. Chapter Thirty-One
  36. Chapter Thirty-Two
  37. Chapter Thirty-Three
  38. Chapter Thirty-Four
  39. Chapter Thirty-Five
  40. Chapter Thirty-Six
  41. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  42. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  43. A word about the author...
  44. Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

Her head swam. She could not think. What should she do? A stark choice lay before her. She could wait for Hugh’s return, dreading to see disappointment and disgust in his face, or she could leave, now, pretending that these past days at the Hall were no more than a dream.

Aware of time slipping rapidly away, her thoughts still in turmoil, Philomena readied herself for this morning’s interview with the Dowager. She would make decisions later.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

The Dowager Lady Thatcham had taken a small morning room for her exclusive use. There she wrote notes to wide acquaintance, organised future visits, and shared plans with friends for their daughters’ activities during the London Season. From this room, snug in the weak winter sunlight, she summoned the cook to agree the menus for the day, gave orders for the maids to stoke up the fire in the room to an intense heat, and complained to the housekeeper about the servants’ clatter on the back stairs.

Philomena entered quietly and curtsied, demurely. Tears had left her eyes red and sore. The Dowager looked up, through her lorgnette. Philomena suspected she wore such an item to intimidate the servants rather than to correct poor eyesight.

“Good morning, Philomena.”

“Good morning, your ladyship.” Philomena held her breath.

“I have sent for you this morning to explain some changes that are to take place in the Hall. Selena and I will soon leave, in order to visit my cousin. We do not intend to return to Thatcham Hall this spring but will go directly to the London house, for Selena’s season.”

Philomena nodded. She was glad the Dowager was going, not least because John would find life more comfortable. Her iron discipline irked him. He would miss Selena, however. Philomena sighed. Poor John, so often left behind as people moved on.

“We have a small change to make in our arrangements, however,” the Dowager said. “Yesterday, my son found it necessary to leave the Hall at short notice in order to undertake a visit he suddenly recollected.” The Dowager’s pinched lips left Philomena in no doubt that she disapproved.

“Selena and I must, therefore, remain here a while longer.” The Dowager removed her lorgnette before she continued. Her eyes darted from side to side. Could she be uncomfortable? “As we will be here longer than we intended, I will have time to make some more appropriate arrangements.” She turned from Philomena to look out of the window. “I plan to appoint a governess for Master John. He is too big to remain in the care of a nursery maid.”