She read the newspaper three times, rearranged the knickknacks on her vanity table twice, and stared out the window for an hour before she finally flopped onto her bed with a loud groan. She was bored, hungry, and alone, and it was all the fault of her husband and his blasted family. She could happily strangle the lot of them.

Then Judith knocked on her door.

Ellie smiled reluctantly. She supposed she wasn't furious with her husband's entire family. After all, it was rather difficult to be angry with a six-year-old.

“Are you sick?” Judith asked, climbing up on Ellie's bed.

“Not really. Just tired.”

Judith frowned. “When I am tired, Miss Dobbin makes me get out of bed, anyway. Sometimes she puts a cold, wet cloth on my neck.”

“I bet that works.”

The little girl nodded solemnly. “It is difficult to sleep with a wet neck.”

“I'm sure it is.”

“Mama said she would send a tray up to your room.”

“That is very nice of her.”

“Are you hungry?”

Before Ellie could respond, her stomach growled.

Judith squealed with laughter. “You are hungry!”

“I guess I must be.”

“I think I like you.”

Ellie smiled, feeling better than she had all day. “Good. I like you, too.”

“Claire said you made a fire today.”

Ellie counted to three before she said, “There was a fire, but it was an accident. I didn't cause it.”

Judith cocked her head to the side as she considered Ellie's words. “I think I'll believe you. Claire is frequently wrong, although she doesn't like to admit it.”

“Most people don't.”

“I am rarely wrong about anything.”

Ellie smiled and tousled her hair. A maid appeared in the doorway with a supper tray. Judith jumped down off the bed, saying, “I had best get back to my room. Miss Dobbin will likely hide my pudding if I am late.”

“Goodness, that would be dreadful!”

Judith made a face. “She eats it after I go to bed.”

Ellie crooked her finger and whispered, “Come back here for a moment.”

Intrigued, Judith climbed back onto the bed and put her face near Ellie's.

“Next time Miss Dobbin eats your pudding,” Ellie whispered, “you come to me. We'll sneak down to the kitchens together and find you something even tastier.”

Judith clapped her hands together, her face a perfect picture of delight. “Oh, my lady, you are going to be the very best of cousins!”

“As are you,” Ellie replied, feeling tears welling in her eyes. “And you must call me Ellie. After all, we are family now.”

“Tomorrow I shall show you 'round the house,” the little girl stated. “I know all the secret passageways.”

“That would be lovely. But you had better run along. We don't want Miss Dobbin to eat your pudding tonight.”

“But you said—”

“I know, but the kitchens are in a sorry state this evening. It might prove difficult to find a replacement dessert.”

“Oh, dear!” Judith exclaimed, paling at the thought. “Bye!”