Lady Helen touched Maddy’s arm sympathetically. “Oh, my dear, I understand. There was a time when all I had in the world was Freckles and she was such a comfort.”
Maddy looked at her in surprise. All she had in the world? But Nash had said this house had been in her family for generations.
Lady Helen continued, “Let me show you to your room. Nash will have his usual bedchamber, but I think we’ll put you near the children, yes? You won’t mind an extra flight of stairs? They’ll be a little nervous in a new place, I’m sure, and you’ll want to be on hand for them.”
Maddy nodded. “That would be very kind, thank you. The children are used to sharing a bed . . .”
“Of course, so much more cozy.” She turned to a gray-haired motherly looking woman standing quietly in the background. “Aggie, will you take the children to the nursery and help them wash their hands and faces? I think an early night is warranted, so supper on trays upstairs and then bed?” She glanced at Maddy for confirmation and added, “Aggie—Mrs. Deane—is my old nurse so they couldn’t be in better hands.”
Maddy nodded. “That would be perfect, thank you. Go with Mrs. Deane, children, and I’ll be up to tuck you into bed, as usual.”
“Can Freckles come with us, please?” Lucy asked. The little girl had her arms around the dog’s neck, hugging her. Freckles thumped her tail, not seeming to mind being hugged in the least.
Lady Helen laughed. “Of course. Freckles goes everywhere.” The children went off with Aggie Deane and Freckles.
Lady Helen linked her arm through Maddy’s. “Now, Miss Woodford—and Lizzie, is it?” She smiled at Lizzie, who had been hanging back shyly. “I’ll send my own maid, Cooper, to show you around, Lizzie, after you and your mistress have had time to wash and tidy up after your journey. Miss Woodford, you mustn’t mind my nonsense about balancing numbers at dinner. If you’re too tired to join us, you’re very welcome to have supper on a tray in your room, or with the children if you prefer.”
For one cowardly moment, Maddy thought about eating with the children. It was tempting, but she really shouldn’t put off the moment.
“She’ll dine with us,” Nash said before Maddy could answer. “I should perhaps have mentioned this at the outset—Miss Woodford is my betrothed.”
“Betrothed?” Lady Helen gasped.
Nash grinned. “We’re to be married on Friday week in Maddy’s parish church.”
“Nash, you rascal, why did you not say so in the first place? Here I am treating the poor girl like a stranger.”
“But I am a str—”
“Nonsense, you’re to be my sister.” Lady Helen hugged her. “Congratulations, Miss Woodf—what is your first name? I cannot call you Miss Woodford if you’re to be my sister. And you must call me Nell. Oh, I’m so pleased. I liked you from the moment we met.”
Maddy blinked and hugged her back, a little overwhelmed by the warmth of her reception. And immensely relieved. She’d also liked Lady Helen—Nell—from the beginning.
“I am Maddy, short for Madeleine.”
“Oh, what a pretty name. I am so glad I married a man with plenty of brothers, for I grew up as an only child and I always longed for sisters. I would have married my darling Harry if he’d been a lone orphan, of course, but it is nice to become part of a big family.”
Nash gave a crack of laughter. “Lord, Nell, if you think we’re a family—”
“We are becoming one,” Nell said airily. “The rifts are healing. All we need now is for you and Marcus to be married and—”
“Better to find Luke a wife. You’ll have no luck with Marcus.”
Nell frowned. “Well, we have been, but Luke is . . . slippery.” She explained to Maddy, “Luke is the handsomest of all of them—he has the face of a fallen angel, you will see. Ladies fall at his feet in droves, but will he give the least bit of encouragement to anyone? His mother and sisters are almost in despair, for he is the only son, and though he has recently come into a title, he shows no interest in marriage.” She glanced at Nash and added in a lowered tone, “And it’s not that he isn’t interested inwomen, for I wormed it out of Harry that heis.”
She took a deep breath and smiled at Nash. “Still, I thought you might never marry, too, and here you are betrothed to this beautiful girl, so there’s hope for Luke and Marcus yet. However, I’ve given up matchmaking—Luke told Harry this is one of the few places left where he can relax in the surety that we will not fling eligible young women at his head, poor boy, so I’ll leave him in peace. Now, I’d better stop gossiping and give you time to get ready, for dinner will be served in half an hour.”
Candlelight was kind to women and faded dresses, Maddy told herself as she took one last, critical glance in the looking glass. She wasn’t sure if they’d dressed for dinner, but she’d put on her best gown, regardless. Not that it would measure up. “The hair, at least, is wonderful, thank you, Lizzie.”
There was a knock on the door. Lizzie answered it, and after a quiet exchange, came back with a shawl draped over her hands. “Lady Helen’s maid brought this for you to wear, Miss Maddy. She said it can get cold in this house, but oh, I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in me life. I think it might be silk or summat like that.”
The shawl was exquisite, a soft, creamy fabric with a wide, silk-embroidered border of red, blue, and green. “It’s a cashmere shawl,” Maddy said, examining it. “They cost a fortune.” Mama had owned one once. Maddy had sold it long ago.
Lizzie draped it around Maddy’s shoulders. It fell in soft folds around her, reaching almost to her knees. Swathed in the beautiful, luxurious garment, the faded fabric of her gown wouldn’t be so noticeable. And Maddy wouldn’t feel so much like the beggar at the feast.
Maybe Lady Helen did understand what it was like to have nothing.
Nash arrived to escort her downstairs. His eyes ran over her and warmed with approval. “You look beautiful,” he said softly. “Like a glowing candle.”
