“I must tend to my duties,” Eugenia whispered after the Countess slept again. “I will bring you fresh clothes.”
“Thank you,” Lady Helena murmured, once more sitting beside her mother. “This gown is wrinkled from sleeping in it.”
Thus, with Mr. Oldman tagging along behind her, Eugenia returned to the quarters she shared with Lady Helena. She washed, brushed and braided her dark hair, then dressed in a fresh gown before she took clean clothes back to Lady Helena. When Mr. Leary returned to look in on the countess, Eugenia and Lady Helena headed back to their rooms.
Lady Helena glanced back over her shoulder at Mr. Oldman. She leaned in to whisper in Eugenia’s ear. “I think having him follow us everywhere will getquiteboringquitesoon.”
Eugenia glanced over her shoulder and giggled. “He heard that.”
“Oh, dear.”
On their way, they encountered Maximilian, the Dowager Duchess, and Earl Whitington heading toward the Countess’s rooms after breaking their fast. Both curtseyed quickly, both equally dismayed to find the Duchess there. Eugenia caught Maximilian’s eye but did not smile for fear of gathering the Duchess’s attention on her.
“Ah, my dear Lady Helena,” she cooed. “How is your dear mother?”
“She is sleeping, Your Grace.”
“Has she made any improvements, child? Why, I hardly slept a wink knowing that my dear friend and guest has become ill. I simply must look in on her. This is all so dreadful, simply dreadful.”
Behind his stepmother and out of the Earl’s direct line of sight, Maximilian rolled his eyes. He mimed with his facial expression and his hands an imitation of a chattering jay. Eugenia ducked her head, choking on a laugh that turned into a cough, but the Duchess turned her ice blue eyes on her, knowing she attempted to cover her humor.
“Of course, Your Grace,” Lady Helena replied, fighting not to grin. “Mr. Leary is with her now, but I am certain she will enjoy your visit, Your Grace.”
“Of course, she will.”
The Duchess marched forward, thrusting her way past them and down the corridor. Earl Whitington followed on her heels, which left Maximilian to chuckle as he eyed Eugenia and Lady Helena.
“Is your mother truly improving, Lady Helena?” he asked, his tone kind.
“Yes, Your Grace, thank you for asking. Her fever has not returned, and she slept well through the night.”
“Good, good. Now I will pay my respects to her, if you do not mind.”
The girls curtseyed politely, then giggled their way back to their rooms, Mr. Oldman following behind, his expression neutral. If Maximilian had not already caught her eye, Eugenia might have thought him attractive with his stern, military visage.
No one can look as good as Max, however.
She offered him a quick smile over her shoulder as he stood once again outside Lady Helena's chambers as they went inside.
“I want to go up to the battlements,” Lady Helena said. “Lord Wilmot likes to go up there, and he told me the view is magnificent.”
Eugenia peered through the window at the low, misty clouds outside. “We might need our cloaks then.”
“It is still summer in London.” Lady Helena gestured toward a pale green gown with ribbons and lace. “This far north, the winter moves in early.”
After getting her mistress clad in the fresh gown, her hair coiffed, and a warm cloak over her shoulders, Eugenia swung her own cloak over her shoulders. With Mr. Oldman in tow, the two of them headed up the long flights of stairs, passing closed doors in the passageways. A few retired servants lived up here, living out their years in quiet, cherished and cared for, after their lives of service were over.
A stiff breeze assaulted them as they opened the door that led out onto the northern battlements. Eugenia heard Lady Helena mutter something about a mistake to come up here and grinned. “Come on. It is not that bad,” she said. “Let us take a look over here.”
Eugenia walking toward a squat round tower, climbed up the steps to the outer wall and gazed at the wind-swept landscape. She was stunned by the view of its raw beauty and rugged hills, the moors rolling green and purple as far as she could see. The sun glittered off a distant lake, casting barbs of silver into her eyes. She gulped the clean air and turned.
“Lady Helena, you really should see this.”
Lady Helena, shivering in her cloak, shook her head. “No, I am cold. The wind up here is terrible.”
“That is what makes it so beautiful,” Eugenia held out her hand. “Just for a minute. Please?”
Taking a step forward, Lady Helena suddenly snapped her head to her left. Her blue eyes widened in horror. “Eugenia!” she screamed. “Look out!”
