Fenella J. Miller by Christmas At Hartford Hall Page A
Authors: Christmas At Hartford Hall
Ads: Link
it would be most unfitting for you to work for your living. In fact I can safely say it will be over my dead body that you become anyone’s companion or governess.”
Lord Bloomfield chuckled and waved his hand for calm. “Stop bickering, children. I have the perfect solution. You shall come and live with my brood, my dear. No one would ever think me rackety in the slightest.” He winked at Sarah and she blushed rosily.
“Thank you, Lord Bloomfield. If you are sure, I shall be thrilled to come and live with you. I can be companion to your girls whilst you are on your wedding trip.”
“Then everything is settled. We can spend the next eleven months getting to know each other better. You can choose the furnishings for our home, sweetheart, and maybe I can persuade Lord Hartford to give his consent before the time is up.”
Sarah collected up the dirty crockery and cutlery and placed everything on one tray. “We had better take this back. I don’t want any of the staff to face unpleasant repercussions tomorrow morning.”
“Don’t worry; if this goes in the dressing room it won’t be seen. I can assure you none of the items will be missed. There is an overabundance of such things at Hartford Hall.”
Elizabeth and Sarah fondly embraced. His lordship patted her on the cheek affectionately and then they were gone, leaving her alone with James. She could hardly believe another hour had passed and the time was now one o’clock.
“Tomorrow, darling girl, you will be moved downstairs where you belong. You are under the protection of Bloomfield now. In the future, you will be given the respect you deserve.” He raised her hand and kissed the palm. “I must not linger here; I shall be counting the minutes until we are together again.”
“Goodnight, my love. Take care on the stairs. You had better take a candlestick.”
The schoolroom no longer seemed a lonely place. In the past few hours it had been filled with laughter, love and happiness. She spotted the leather folder she’d brought down from the attics. Botheration! She had yet to write a letter to her erstwhile employers saying she was no longer able to take up her position next week. Yawning hugely, she picked up a pen and uncorked the ink bottle. Better to get it done now; she might not have the opportunity tomorrow.
The door crashed open, the ink spilled across the table and Lady Hartford and her daughters stormed in.
Chapter Nine
“Y OU A RE A W ANTON light skirt, my girl. You have been up here alone with Sir James these past four hours. I will not have such goings-on under my roof and at Christmas time too.”
Helplessly, Elizabeth looked from one face to the other, hoping at least Eleanor would understand, would not condemn her without hearing the true story. Then, she realised she could not reveal Sarah had been up here with Bloomfield as they wished to keep their liaison a secret.
“I shall not lower myself to your level, madam. You may think what you like. Your opinion is of no interest to me. Kindly leave my chambers; you are not welcome here.”
“Hoity-toity! Brave words will get you nowhere. You will leave my home right now, miss. I’ll not have you soiling my establishment a minute longer.” Lady Hartford turned and beckoned to the same unpleasant footmen who had been outside her door with Lord Hartford. Even they looked shamefaced at what they were being asked to do. “Take this person to the gates and leave her there. Do it now.”
Eleanor finally spoke up. “Oh no, please, Mama — you cannot send her out in the middle of the night in a ball gown. She will surely perish from the cold; she does not deserve to die for her misbehaviour.”
“How can you speak up for her, sister? She has betrayed your trust, disgraced our house, is little better than a common — ”
“Enough, Amelia, hold your tongue. You may collect your cloak and put on your boots, miss. You have five minutes and then you will be evicted.”
There was no
Lord Bloomfield chuckled and waved his hand for calm. “Stop bickering, children. I have the perfect solution. You shall come and live with my brood, my dear. No one would ever think me rackety in the slightest.” He winked at Sarah and she blushed rosily.
“Thank you, Lord Bloomfield. If you are sure, I shall be thrilled to come and live with you. I can be companion to your girls whilst you are on your wedding trip.”
“Then everything is settled. We can spend the next eleven months getting to know each other better. You can choose the furnishings for our home, sweetheart, and maybe I can persuade Lord Hartford to give his consent before the time is up.”
Sarah collected up the dirty crockery and cutlery and placed everything on one tray. “We had better take this back. I don’t want any of the staff to face unpleasant repercussions tomorrow morning.”
“Don’t worry; if this goes in the dressing room it won’t be seen. I can assure you none of the items will be missed. There is an overabundance of such things at Hartford Hall.”
Elizabeth and Sarah fondly embraced. His lordship patted her on the cheek affectionately and then they were gone, leaving her alone with James. She could hardly believe another hour had passed and the time was now one o’clock.
“Tomorrow, darling girl, you will be moved downstairs where you belong. You are under the protection of Bloomfield now. In the future, you will be given the respect you deserve.” He raised her hand and kissed the palm. “I must not linger here; I shall be counting the minutes until we are together again.”
“Goodnight, my love. Take care on the stairs. You had better take a candlestick.”
The schoolroom no longer seemed a lonely place. In the past few hours it had been filled with laughter, love and happiness. She spotted the leather folder she’d brought down from the attics. Botheration! She had yet to write a letter to her erstwhile employers saying she was no longer able to take up her position next week. Yawning hugely, she picked up a pen and uncorked the ink bottle. Better to get it done now; she might not have the opportunity tomorrow.
The door crashed open, the ink spilled across the table and Lady Hartford and her daughters stormed in.
Chapter Nine
“Y OU A RE A W ANTON light skirt, my girl. You have been up here alone with Sir James these past four hours. I will not have such goings-on under my roof and at Christmas time too.”
Helplessly, Elizabeth looked from one face to the other, hoping at least Eleanor would understand, would not condemn her without hearing the true story. Then, she realised she could not reveal Sarah had been up here with Bloomfield as they wished to keep their liaison a secret.
“I shall not lower myself to your level, madam. You may think what you like. Your opinion is of no interest to me. Kindly leave my chambers; you are not welcome here.”
“Hoity-toity! Brave words will get you nowhere. You will leave my home right now, miss. I’ll not have you soiling my establishment a minute longer.” Lady Hartford turned and beckoned to the same unpleasant footmen who had been outside her door with Lord Hartford. Even they looked shamefaced at what they were being asked to do. “Take this person to the gates and leave her there. Do it now.”
Eleanor finally spoke up. “Oh no, please, Mama — you cannot send her out in the middle of the night in a ball gown. She will surely perish from the cold; she does not deserve to die for her misbehaviour.”
“How can you speak up for her, sister? She has betrayed your trust, disgraced our house, is little better than a common — ”
“Enough, Amelia, hold your tongue. You may collect your cloak and put on your boots, miss. You have five minutes and then you will be evicted.”
There was no
Similar Books
