"Mornin' Rosie," he greeted her, "all ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied.
"Come on then, let's go and get those fires lit."
Each carrying a bucket of coal they climbed the back stairs to the morning room where they quickly got a fire going, then on into the drawing room. Before long all of the fires were burning brightly in readiness for a new day.
"Think we broke the record this mornin' Rosie, we make a good team you and me!"
Rosie blushed at his intended inuendo. "Go on with you Davey," she said laughing and went back to the kitchen with him following closely at her heels. "The water should be ready now for washing, let's get it up to them. It's goin' to be a busy day today." Although a new water supply had been put in recently it didn't reach up to the attic bedrooms where Mrs. Spalding and the other female servants slept, and so each morning Rosie and Davey carried hot water carriers up three flights of stairs as part of their daily routine. Rosie, as housemaid, also had the unenviable job of emptying and cleaning out chamber pots. By the time she had finished the remaining servants were stirring, soon 'below stairs' would be a hive of activity.
"Is it time?" asked Jimmy, "Jack!" he shoved his brother, "wake up, we're goin' up to th'all, wake up."
Jack rubbed his eyes. "What time is it mam?"
"Time you got out of bed. There's your clothes now get washed and dressed, and hurry, I can't be late."
Soon they were ready; each had a thick wedge of bread and dripping with a mug of hot tea and when finished they set off to Old Tom's cottage where they would be staying until tomorrow afternoon. Jenny knocked on the cottage door.
"Mornin' Jenny," came a voice from behind them.
"Oh! It's you Tom. Is your father up yet?"
"Not yet, I leave him till about half past eight these days. I'm just going up to the gardens for fresh vegetables, thought the boys would like to come along and help me take them to the kitchen. Mrs. Spaldings going to need a fair amount for all them visitors today. What do you say?"
"Can we mam?"
"Of course you can, but just remember, do as you're told and stay out of mischief."
"They'll be all right here with me and Dad Jenny, you get goin' and we'll see you tomorrow."
"Is it always like this Rosie when they have these parties?"
"Always," replied a resigned Rosie.
"What's troubling you Tobias," asked Lady Margaret from her bed where she was drinking tea before rising.
"It's not me," he answered turning towards her. "It's Edward. I can't believe he's the same person I once knew, it's almost as if the very life has been taken out of him. He never married you know, and yet, if I remember rightly, there was someone once. Don't know who she was mind, but he was very smitten with her as I recall."
Lady Margaret put down her cup and saucer. "Now then Tobias, you mustn't worry about Edward, I'm sure that following a few days here, away from London and all the pressure, he'll be fine."
"You're probably right." He lightly kissed her, "I'm taking him for a tour of the estate this morning, I think if I get him away from that mother of his I just might find out more. Do you think you'll be able to cope with her?"
"Of course, you get off," she encouraged, "I'll see you later."
"That orangy thingy giv me a strange feelin'," said Jack "it was hot, and still, and quiet, just like the world had stopped."
They had both been fascinated by the Orangery which was a large glass building with orange and lemon trees trained to grow up and along the walls. At one end was a tiny waterfall where the water trickled down ornamental rocks making a distant tinkling sound.
"Bit eerie if you ask me," said Jimmy.
"Didn't you like the feeling?" Old Tom asked.
"Oh yes," said Jack, "it felt very peaceful. I think I'd like to be a gardener 'ere. Do you think 'is lordship would give me a job if I asked 'im?"
"Not me," interrupted Jimmy, "I'm going to build trains."
It was said with such force and conviction that Old Tom could only reply, "Yes, I believe you just might too."
"Mother, for heaven's sake, please calm down. I've been going to the Hall all of my life, everything will be fine."
"I know, but I just can't rid myself of this feeling. Something is going to happen Emily, I can feel it."
Just then the carriage pulled up outside of Rose Cottage and Emily turned to Kate. "I'll see you later Mother, don't worry. Please."
"Wait, I've got something for you." Kate opened the dresser drawer and handed the box to Emily. "Don't open it yet, it's to wear this evening."
Emily took the box and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Is this yet another surprise?" she asked smiling.
"Just you take care Emily", was all Kate said.
Emily climbed into the carriage to find Madame Duponte already seated inside.
"I've got your dress here Emily, and I can promise you, you will look magnificent."
Emily nodded, she had become quite used to Madame Duponte over exaggerating. "If you say so Madame," and she pondered again over her mother's last words.
When they arrived at the Hall Mr Jameson was waiting. "Kindly follow me ladies. James! Arrange for these boxes to be brought up to Miss Elizabeth's room immediately."
"Emily!" called Lizzie, "at last, I thought you were never going to get here. I don't know what the servants are doing but I can't seem to get one when I need one this morning, even Mary keeps disappearing on me."
"I think you'll find Miss Elizabeth, that all of the servants, including Mary, are working very hard to make this party a success for your mother and father."
"All right Jameson, I'm sorry, but I must have Mary to myself now. Please ask her to come up will you?" Jameson left with his nose in the air. "Looks as though I may have upset him."
"I'm not surprised Lizzie, you can be most thoughtless sometimes."
"I know Emily. Ah! there you are Mary. Will you help Madame Duponte to unpack the dresses and see to it that she has everything she needs?"
"Look! There's Jimmy and Jack with Old Tom," and without thinking they both ran off towards the twins. "I say Jimmy, what are you doing here?"
"We're staying with Mr Tom. Mam's working at the house with Mrs. Spalding. Is it going to be a big party tonight?"
"I expect so, but we won't be going."
"Oh I'd love to see it," said Jack to Becky.
"I know, why don't you come up to the house and spy, that's what we do?" said Becky.
"What do you mean by that?" asked Tom.
"Well, we creep out onto the top landing and we look down and watch. Do you know that last time a young gentleman whispered something to Lizzie and she hit him so hard that he left and we never saw him again?"
Old Tom wasn't sure he should encourage this sort of conversation. "I'll tell you what boys, this evening I'll bring you up to the house, five minutes only mind, just to satisfy your curiosity. How's that?"
"Oh yes Mr Tom, thanks."
Miss Wesley finally caught up to them and after a breathless scolding from her, about the dangers of running away, the four children spend their time playing games and chasing each other whilst Miss Wesley and Old Tom looked on wishing they had the same amount of energy.
"Is your mistress feeling all right Sarah? Can I see her?"
"Come in Margaret", called Lady Haversham, "I'm sorry I haven't been down to see you but the travelling has made me extremely tired. However, I'm feeling a little better now but I think I'll miss dinner if you don't mind, and have a tray brought up, something light. Sarah will help me down after dinner for a couple of hours to meet your friends if that's all right with you?"
"Of course Lady Haversham. I'll leave you to rest now." As she went to leave she turned to Sarah, "Can I have a word with you Sarah?"
Outside of the room she spoke quietly to avoid being overheard. "Sarah, does your mistress often suffer these attacks?"
"Only when she thinks she's not getting the attention she deserves madam. Unfortunately, she thinks Mr Edward has been neglecting her since we arrived here and it's her way of trying to make him feel guilty."
"Thank you for being so honest Sarah, but you mustn't let anyone else hear you saying things like that. Let me know if you have any problems getting her down later, won't you?"
"Of course, madam."
Mary had done up Emily's hair in a very glamorous style which revealed her long, swallow like neck The blonde hair held high on her head with just a few tendrils dropping down which softened the whole style.
"Oh yes!" exclaimed Madame, "exquisite!" Emily and Lizzie looked at each other and burst out laughing. "Never mind the frivolity, it's time to get you into your dresses. Come Mary, let us first see to Miss Elizabeth." The red dress was lying on the bed in readiness and both Madame and Mary helped Lizzie into it. Mary let out a long sigh.
"Now, what did I tell you? Red certainly is your colour with that dark hair and those lovely brown eyes." Lizzie admired herself in the mirror, turning as far round as possible in an attempt to see the back. "Well! What do you think?"
"I love it Madame, absolutely love it. Your turn now Emily."
Madame brought the white dress over to where Emily stood and with help from Mary she was soon dressed. When they had finished Emily stood there looking at them. All three stared, open-mouthed, at this vision of loveliness before them. Lizzie was the first to speak.
"Emily! I don't believe it. Isn't it amazing what a new hairstyle and dress can do for a person?"
"Why thank you Lizzie," said Emily, choosing to ignore her obviously jealous snipe.
"I'm sorry, I've put my foot in it again haven't I? You look beautiful Emily, really you do. Together we will be the Belles of the Ball. Come over here and take a look." She took hold of Emily's hand and dragged her before the mirror.
"Absolutely lovely, you both look delightful. Now, what about jewellery?"
"I've decided to wear my grandmother's rubies and diamonds. What have you got Emily?"
Emily remembered the box Kate had given her, "Oh I forgot, mother gave me this box, she said I was to wear them with the dress." She opened the box to reveal the beautiful emerald necklace and earrings and gasped in amazement.
"Show me," demanded Lizzie impatiently.
Emily turned the box so that they could all see. Madame Duponte took the box from her. "Come along Emily", she said in an attempt to prevent an awkward situation developing, "I'll help you put them on. Mary, you can help Miss Elizabeth, it's time you were both making your way down to dinner."
"How interesting," remarked Emily as Lizzie made doe eyes at the Drummonds' son.
"Doctor and Mrs Elliot and Doctor Bridgewater", announced Jameson.
"Ah! Richard, so glad you made it. How did your trip to London go?"
"Extremely well Tobias. Let me introduce you, Rodney Bridgewater meet your benefactor, Lord Tobias Smallwood."
"I'm very pleased to meet you sir."
"Thank you Doctor Bridgewater but believe me you'll earn every penny of it, I can assure you."
"Let's not talk business tonight Tobias," interrupted Lady Margaret, "I want everyone to enjoy themselves and to get to know each other; business can come later."
"I wouldn't mind getting to know him better," whispered Lizzie in Emily's ear.
"Lizzie! Don't be so bold, remember you're a lady."
"Don't be so straight-laced Emily," retorted Lizzie.
"Mr Archibald Thornton," announced Jameson.
"Archie, at last we've managed to persuade you away from that farm," greeted Lady Margaret.
"Got a proposition to put to you Archie," started Lord Smallwood.
"There you go again, business, business, business! Please Tobias, can't it wait until at least after dinner?" "Of course my dear," and he raised her hand to his lips.
Emily's ears had pricked up at the mention of Archie's name and she looked across at him. He in turn looked around and caught her; he nodded and smiled; she lowered her eyes and turned away. This incident didn't go amiss with Lizzie. "Emily, you've got an admirer there, don't be so shy for heaven's sake, you'll never catch yourself a husband." But it was Emily's shyness and gentleness that had attracted Archie some time ago but every time he tried to speak to her something or somebody always interrupted. However, he made up his mind that tonight he was going to get to know Emily a little better.
"Sir Edward Haversham," said Jameson rather pompously.
"I'm sorry your mother isn't feeling up to joining us for dinner Edward", sympathised Lady Margaret.
"Don't worry Margaret, she'll be down later."
"Excuse me ma'am, but dinner is ready to be served."
"Thank you Jameson. Shall we lead everyone in Edward?"
"My pleasure," and he held out his arm where Lady Margaret placed her hand and they led the guest down to the dining room.
"Peter, what on earth ......"
"Quick Kate, let me in."
Kate opened the door and he rushed in.
"Where's Emily?"
"You know where she is, she's up at the Hall with Lizzie."
"Well I've just found out that Edward and his mother are also up at the Hall."
"What?" cried Kate. "My poor Emily, I've got to get up there," and she rushed out with Peter after her.
At this time Tom was walking across the yard with the twins in tow. "Now remember, stay with me and be quiet as mice".
"Yes Mr Tom."
He put his head round the kitchen door. "Hello Betsy." Betsy was just having a very welcome cup of tea and she looked up to see Tom and the twins. "Promised to bring them over for a peep at the party."
"Is mam here?" asked Jimmy. "She's upstairs tidying the dining room, they finished dinner a few minutes ago." Just then a bell rang indicating that the dumb waiter was on its way down. "Rosie! Bring the trolley over and get these dished into the scullery."
Rosie looked worn out as she pushed the trolley up to the dumb waiter and started to unload the dishes. When she had finished she rang the bell and sent it back up.
Betsy turned to Old Tom, "Take them up the back stairs to the door into the entrance hall, but don't let Jameson see you or you'll be for the high jump."
Martin and Rebecca were also on the move. They had left their rooms and started down the grand staircase just as Lady Haversham descended the final step in the entrance hall. They hurried to their observation post on the landing and lay flat on their stomachs with their faces up against the stair railings.
"Where's my son?" she asked haughtily.
"The men are talking business as usual, no doubt they'll be back soon. Come, I'd like to introduce two of my very dear friends. They can't wait to meet you." Lady Haversham conceded, she could tell that Lady Margaret wasn't someone she could boss and get away with it. A few moments later Tobias and Edward, business over, came to join them.
Lady Margaret stood up, "I'm just going to bring Elizabeth over to meet you Lady Haversham, I don't think you've met have you?" And without waiting for a reply she left.
Lizzie and Emily where standing with a group of other young people around the piano. "Play a Viennese Waltz". "No, play a Polka."
"Sorry to interrupt you, but I'd like you to come over and say Hello to Lady Haversham".
"Do I have to mother? She looks a right dragon." "Yes, you have to, it's the polite thing to do and I don't think you should be calling her a dragon."
"Come on Emily, if I have to go so do you."
"Lady Haversham, I'd like you to meet our daughter Elizabeth and this is her friend Emily, Emily O'Brien."
Lady Haversham lifted her eyes to the two girls and her face turned white. "How dare you humiliate me in this way," she snarled through gritted teeth and then in a voice filled with anger and hate she screamed as loud as she could, "Get this witch out of here, do you hear. Have you come back to haunt me you wicked girl? Get out of here! Do you hear me? Get out!"
In the entrance hall Jenny, who was carrying a tray of glasses filled with champagne, was so frightened by the scream that she threw the tray up in the air, which in its turn came down with an enormous smash echoing through the house. Even Betsy came rushing out of her kitchen wondering what on earth was going on. Jack and Jimmy ran from their hiding place to help their mother whom they thought was in mortal danger and Jimmy slipped, landing on a piece of glass cutting open his knee. Martin and Rebecca, seeing what had happened to Jimmy, ran down the stairs in their nightwear to help their friend, and tripped over each other in their hurry tumbling down the bottom six steps and Rebecca started to howl like a demented cat.
Outside in the shadow of the trees, Kate and Peter had heard the scream and began to run towards the house. "If that woman has harmed my Emily I'll swing for her." Peter didn't think he had ever seen Kate this angry in all the years he had known her.
Inside the Saloon all eyes had turned on Emily, who stood there like a petrified rabbit. She was white and her deep green eyes glistened. She couldn't stand it any longer and turned and ran outside through the open door covering her ears with her hands as she went. She wanted to get as far away from this place as she possibly could. She needed her mother, she was sure Kate would be able to put things right, help her to understand what was going on here.
She had started to descend the steps when a pair of strong arms grabbed her. "Miss O'Brien, wait, don't cry, please."
It was Archie, thank god, "Oh! Mr Thornton, what have I done to that woman that she hates me so," she sobbed.
"My dear, dear Emily. You've done nothing, anyone who knows you knows that you couldn't harm a fly. That's why I love you, you're gentle, you're beautiful, and I've been trying so hard to find an occasion to tell you so." He held her close until the sobbing stopped.
Two more figures joined them from the shadows. "Emily, are you all right?" asked Kate.
"She will be when we get her home," said Archie.
From the balcony Tobias and Edward looked down on the scene below and as Kate looked up a sudden flash of recognition hit Edward. "Kate? Is that you?"
"You stay away from us Edward Haversham. You and your mother have done enough damage to me and mine." Archie took off his coat and placed it around Emily who was now shaking from shock.
"I'll call a carriage Archie." Tobias turned and asked Jameson to have a carriage brought round to the front of the house without delay.
As Edward made a move to go to Kate Tobias held him back. "It's not the time Edward, let's go back inside and see how your mother is." Edward seemed as bewildered as Emily at what exactly was going on and he allowed his good friend to take him back into the house.
The carriage arrived and Archie helped first Emily and then Kate to board. "If you don't mind Mrs O'Brien I would like to see you both home." "Thank you Mr Thornton, that's very kind of you. Peter, will you join us, I feel I need a friend to talk to."
"Of course, Kate."
The carriage turned and started down the drive. "Will life ever be the same again?" Kate asked herself. She had a lot of explaining to do in the morning. Peter had warned her once before that Emily had a right to know the truth and she had chosen to keep it to herself. Well now she had no option, she just hoped Emily would forgive her.