Chapter 16
Asmile creptup onto Annabelle’s lips as she made her way indoors. That went much better than she expected to, and it made her even more certain that she needed to leave. It was the right thing to do. Running away, being with Floyd, it was all that she needed to be happy. He liked the idea, he just needed to make that brave step and he would see. Annabelle was not at all worried that he would back down now. He loved her, that wasenough.
Now she just had to make thathappen.
Her mother had told her that she would arrange a carriage if only she would let her know that was what she wanted. She needed to do that now while the determination was still fresh within her. She had to get her mother’s assistance without alerting any attention to herself. Preferably, she needed to do it without even being in the same room as her. Annabelle was not sure how closely her father was watching her now, and she did not want things ruined at the lastmoment.
On a whim, she decided that a note was the best way to go. She would write something that could be interpreted a number of ways and send it with the butler. Admittedly, it was potentially troublesome, but it was the best idea she could think ofquickly.
Mother, as discussed, I would like things to happen at five a.m. Thank you,Annabelle.
If her father questioned her, she could act like it was something wedding related. Maybe she could pretend that is the time she wanted to get dressed. It mentioned nothing that could be taken badly, so that was the best that she coulddo.
She nodded to herself, pleased that she had been so smart, and she continued to ride off that confidence as she handed the note to the butler. Maybe her pulse raced and her stomach twisted up in nauseous knots, but on the outside, she looked calm and that was all thatmattered.
Once her mother received that note, things would move rapidly. Annabelle only had one thing left to do. She needed to get her things packed as quickly as possible so that when the time came she was ready. It was far too quick to leave the following morning, but it was the only way that things would work. If she left it any longer, there was a chance that everything would gowrong.
Right, she thought to herself as she entered the room.What do I need?Looking at the clothes that she had owned for years, the one’s that she never really looked at before, Annabelle felt uncertain. Maybe it would not matter if people knew that she was once a Lady, there were many horror stories about women being left with nothing and forced to take on work, but she would have to appear down on her luck. She could not leave this house with her best dresses with her. She was going to have to only take the ones that made her looksimple.
The only issue with that was her father always made sure she had the best dresses. The way that the Hathaway girls appeared in public was a reflection on him, and everything that represented Otto had to bewonderful.
Her fingers ran down the soft material as she wondered what sort of things she would have to wear in her new life. The maids only seemed to wear plain, brown and beige dresses. She had never seen anyone without money wear anything eye-catching. Would that be her from now on? Would she have to blend into the background for the rest of herlife?
And most importantly, did shemind?
She folded a light blue number in the best way she could. It was not easy to flatten down this dress, even without all the ruffles of her usual attire, but she did her best. She only had a small case, so she needed ittiny.
No, I do not think I shall mind, Annabelle thought idly to herself as she grabbed hold of another dress. I do not think I shall mind at all. Better to be hidden and with Floyd, than be seen and Watson’swife.
“Lady Hathaway?” Annabelle jumped as an unexpected voice rang out behind her. She turned quickly, trying to hide her packing behind her back, but fortunately the butler was not paying any attention to her. “I have a letter from yourmother.”
“Oh, of course.” She had not been expecting that. Was Josephine about to tell her this was not going to happen? “Thankyou.”
Her fingers ran along the edge of the paper as she stared at the butler. He seemed to be waiting for her to read and reply to the note, but that was not going to happen. If this was bad news, she wanted to see it alone, and if shedidneed to reply she would simply find himagain.
“That will be all, thankyou.”
As he finally left, Annabelle pulled the paper apart eagerly with her heart racing in her chest. The words spun in front of her anxious eyes for a second, before they settleddown.
That is all sorted for you, five a.m. is all booked in for you. Lots of love, Motherxx
She clutched it to her chest as emotion flooded her. This was such a sweet gesture, she could not believe how lucky she was. Without her mother, none of this would happen. She needed to find a way to thank her at somepoint...
* * *
Annabelle’s heartpounded heavily in her chest as she grabbed hold of her bag to leave. The night air still clung to the world, but the small thin lines of light peeked through. Morning was coming and before it did Annabelle needed to begone.
As she dressed and left her bedroom, Annabelle did her best not to look behind her. She did not want to examine the life that she was leaving behind. She loved her bedroom a lot, it had always been a sense of comfort for her, but she had to go. However emotional she felt about it, this was still the rightmove.
Keep moving, she told herself firmly. Think of Floyd, think of a new life... think of leaving behind Watson, nothingelse.
The positive thoughts rolled through her mind as she tiptoed down the stairs. Annabelle did her best to think about what was going on inside of her rather than the strangeness of the empty home around her. She did not usually get to see things this way, usually the house was really busy, it left Annabelle a little scared. So, did the fear that her father had found out, and he was going to jump out on her at anymoment.
Father does not know, she tried to convince herself. If he knew, he would not have let things go thisfar.
Still, every single time her toes creaked on the wood, she froze stiff and listened intently, trying to hear anything else other than the hammering of herheart.
By the time Annabelle reached the top of the stairs which would take her down into the servant quarters, she could hardly breathe. Her lungs felt tight, despite the looser fitting dress than she was normally allowed to wear, the bag on her shoulder felt like a boulder it was so heavy, her knees knocked together infear.
