‘Clearly she doesn’t want you to know who she is but …’
William came briskly along the gallery, holding aloft a guttering candle.
‘What do you mean?’ asked Beth.
‘Ah, there you are, Noah!’ said William. ‘I’ve been looking foryou. I wanted to show you some books in our library, which may be of interest to you. Excuse us, if you will, Beth.’ William,
tucked his arm firmly through Noah’s as he led him away.
Noah glanced back over his shoulder and Beth thought she caught a hint of relief in his face.
Chapter 10
A couple of days later, Cecily woke early for once.
‘What is it?’ groaned Beth as Cecily leaped out of bed and wrenched back the curtains to let in the light. She rubbed the
sleep from her eyes.
‘I wanted to look at my new dress again.’ Cecily picked up the armful of ivory taffeta and lace which was draped over the
coffer and held it against herself. Twirling around as if she was dancing, she curtsied low to Beth. ‘What do you think?’
‘You look as lovely as you did each of the twenty-two occasions you asked me the same question yesterday.’
‘I really, really wanted scarlet silk because it would look wonderful with my black hair but Mama wouldn’t let me.’
‘I should think not indeed! Entirely unsuitable for your first grown-up ball.’
‘Perhaps I could have scarlet ribbons in my hair?’
Beth relented. ‘Maybe one but don’t be surprised if Father makes you remove it.’
‘I’ll tie it into my curls just before we arrive and he’ll never notice. And what are you going to wear, Beth?’
‘I have the green silk that used to be Mama’s.’
‘Mmm.’ Cecily looked doubtful. ‘The colour always suited you but it is rather old fashioned.’
‘I don’t give a fig for that!’
‘Well, I do. I could spend my whole life going to balls and soirées and the theatre. One day I’ll go to London again and drive
around in a golden coach and people will say, “There goes the beautiful Mistress Ambrose!”’
‘You want to be careful what you wish for! Think of your reputation.’
‘Beth, do you always have to be so … so
sensible?
’
After breakfast, Beth went to the little parlour where Anne’s manservant, Forsyth, was stationed outside. He bowed and opened
the door for her.
Anne drooped on the window seat; Beth’s heart sank as she noticed that her eyes were red and swollen.
‘Anne? Have you been weeping again?’
Anne’s fingers twisted endlessly at the handkerchief in her lap. She took a deep, shuddering breath. ‘I dreamed last night
of my two little girls playing with their kittens in the sunshine. I gathered them up on to my knee and could feel their silky
hair against my face. And then I woke up and remembered that I’ll never hold them in my arms again.’
Beth took Anne’s hands. ‘It is a hard thing to bear but I promise you that time will lessen your sorrow.’
‘Why is it so difficult for me to have a child?’ Anne sobbed. ‘Is God punishing me? I have made every effort to walk in God’s
ways, to follow His true doctrines in a church that is pious and sincere. My closest friend, Mistress Freeman, is to have
yet another child nextmonth and I try,’ she swallowed another sob, ‘and I do try to be happy for her but it breaks my heart.’
Beth clasped Anne’s hands. ‘Father often says you must simply keep putting one foot in front of the other until one day you
will find the sun is shining again. If you keep healthy and cheerful, maybe the next baby will stay well.’
Anne’s chin quivered but she mastered her emotions and squeezed Beth’s hand. ‘Each month I count the days, hoping and praying
to the good Lord that my courses will not come.’
‘You must try not to dwell on it. Time enough for unhappiness if what you fear comes to pass.’
Anne took a deep breath. ‘I count myself fortunate to have you for a friend. You are my friend, aren’t you?’
Beth smiled. ‘Of course. And I want to
William came briskly along the gallery, holding aloft a guttering candle.
‘What do you mean?’ asked Beth.
‘Ah, there you are, Noah!’ said William. ‘I’ve been looking foryou. I wanted to show you some books in our library, which may be of interest to you. Excuse us, if you will, Beth.’ William,
tucked his arm firmly through Noah’s as he led him away.
Noah glanced back over his shoulder and Beth thought she caught a hint of relief in his face.
Chapter 10
A couple of days later, Cecily woke early for once.
‘What is it?’ groaned Beth as Cecily leaped out of bed and wrenched back the curtains to let in the light. She rubbed the
sleep from her eyes.
‘I wanted to look at my new dress again.’ Cecily picked up the armful of ivory taffeta and lace which was draped over the
coffer and held it against herself. Twirling around as if she was dancing, she curtsied low to Beth. ‘What do you think?’
‘You look as lovely as you did each of the twenty-two occasions you asked me the same question yesterday.’
‘I really, really wanted scarlet silk because it would look wonderful with my black hair but Mama wouldn’t let me.’
‘I should think not indeed! Entirely unsuitable for your first grown-up ball.’
‘Perhaps I could have scarlet ribbons in my hair?’
Beth relented. ‘Maybe one but don’t be surprised if Father makes you remove it.’
‘I’ll tie it into my curls just before we arrive and he’ll never notice. And what are you going to wear, Beth?’
‘I have the green silk that used to be Mama’s.’
‘Mmm.’ Cecily looked doubtful. ‘The colour always suited you but it is rather old fashioned.’
‘I don’t give a fig for that!’
‘Well, I do. I could spend my whole life going to balls and soirées and the theatre. One day I’ll go to London again and drive
around in a golden coach and people will say, “There goes the beautiful Mistress Ambrose!”’
‘You want to be careful what you wish for! Think of your reputation.’
‘Beth, do you always have to be so … so
sensible?
’
After breakfast, Beth went to the little parlour where Anne’s manservant, Forsyth, was stationed outside. He bowed and opened
the door for her.
Anne drooped on the window seat; Beth’s heart sank as she noticed that her eyes were red and swollen.
‘Anne? Have you been weeping again?’
Anne’s fingers twisted endlessly at the handkerchief in her lap. She took a deep, shuddering breath. ‘I dreamed last night
of my two little girls playing with their kittens in the sunshine. I gathered them up on to my knee and could feel their silky
hair against my face. And then I woke up and remembered that I’ll never hold them in my arms again.’
Beth took Anne’s hands. ‘It is a hard thing to bear but I promise you that time will lessen your sorrow.’
‘Why is it so difficult for me to have a child?’ Anne sobbed. ‘Is God punishing me? I have made every effort to walk in God’s
ways, to follow His true doctrines in a church that is pious and sincere. My closest friend, Mistress Freeman, is to have
yet another child nextmonth and I try,’ she swallowed another sob, ‘and I do try to be happy for her but it breaks my heart.’
Beth clasped Anne’s hands. ‘Father often says you must simply keep putting one foot in front of the other until one day you
will find the sun is shining again. If you keep healthy and cheerful, maybe the next baby will stay well.’
Anne’s chin quivered but she mastered her emotions and squeezed Beth’s hand. ‘Each month I count the days, hoping and praying
to the good Lord that my courses will not come.’
‘You must try not to dwell on it. Time enough for unhappiness if what you fear comes to pass.’
Anne took a deep breath. ‘I count myself fortunate to have you for a friend. You are my friend, aren’t you?’
Beth smiled. ‘Of course. And I want to
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