The Green Room
Since the death of her mother, Miranda had taken over management of the household, but this was an extraordinary circumstance. Clearly Miranda was as taken aback at this new development as was Mrs. Flowers. Where was Henry when she needed him?
Having checked on the sleeping Samantha and brought in the requested supplements to the tea she had prepared earlier for her young ladies, Mrs. Flowers’ orderly mind processed what was occurring and determined in this case she should consult her master and not Miss Miranda—who was apparently no longer acting mistress in the household.
“Excuse me, sir,” she nearly whispered to William, “but which room did you wish me to prepare for,” she paused and swallowed, “Mrs. Belden?”
“The Green Room, I think, Mrs. Flowers,” and he strode with the housekeeper toward the kitchen to further explain his instructions.
In a very quiet voice he said, “I will explain everything to you later, but for now, lock up every single bedroom in the house, my office, and any other area that is not considered a public room. When you get a chance, please suggest it might be best if the girls kept their own things locked up, because the woman is so clearly vulgar. And do not mention me.”
Her quick look of understanding and a flick over his shoulder let him know they were being joined.
“Once you have freshened the room and put in the flowers I asked for,” he said in a somewhat louder voice, “then please come fetch me so I may escort my new bride to her bedroom.”
Mrs. Flowers could see a pleased look on cross the face of the new Mrs. Belden when she heard the request for flowers. She nodded and curtsied, saying, “I will attend to it all at once sir. Just give me a few minutes.”
She turned to Harriet, dropping a small curtsy. “Oh, Mrs. Belden, did you wish to visit the necessary?”
“Oh, no,” replied Harriet in a falsely sweet voice, “I merely missed my husband.”
“Then, my dear,” replied William floridly, “let us rejoin my daughters and finish our tea.”
He hoped his voice have been loud enough to carry back into the parlor so the girls will be prepared for their re-entry.
Their placid demeanor and the fact that each had a teacup up to her lips as they strolled back in indicated to him his ploy had been successful as he seated her again.
“Shall I send Henry to collect your things or was there something else you wished to pack personally?”
“Oh,” she simpered, “I thought I would just have my brother drop them off.”
“Oh, no, my dear, I would not permit others to do my duty now that you are my bride.” He hoped she hadn't heard Celeste’s quick intake of breath. He didn't want to overdo it and let the girls know there was something up, but he truly hated deceiving them. Now that his beloved Estelle was gone, these two and his granddaughter remained the lights of his life.
Mrs. Flowers came into the room and she curtsied to her employer.
“Everything is set up as you wish, sir. May I escort Mrs. Belden to her chamber or did you wish to do the honors?”
“By all means, allow me,” replied William, “but please accompany us in case there is any small detail I have overlooked for the pleasure of my new bride.”
He really needed to watch it. He was clearly overdoing it based on the breathing patterns of his daughters, but Harriet seemed to be eating it up. Did the fool think he was actually falling for her? Well that was, in fact, what he intended to convey to her. He only hoped his daughters would forgive him when they learned the truth. If they ever did learn the truth, he thought ruefully, remembering Celeste’s late husband, Ralph.
Mrs. Flowers, true to her name, had outdone herself, placing not one but three vases of flowers in the room. The scent was enchanting, but if the heat remain could become overpowering. He wondered if there were any flowers left in the garden. The stray thoughts one has in a moment a panic, he thought.
“While this room does not adjoin mine,” he whispered to his bride loudly, “it has its own private withdrawing room and I thought you'd be more comfortable here.”
Her eyes flew up to his. She hoped he wasn't implying he intended anything physical with her. But he merely winked at her and nodded toward the housekeeper, as if they were sharing a secret from her. William could see Harriet relax.
She simpered to Mrs. Flowers, “I can see I shall want for nothing here. Could you assist me for a few minutes in,” she paused, “freshening up? I would like to rest a bit, if I may, from the excitement of the morning, before we go out to collect my things,” she said, graciously giving in to William’s plan—which had largely been to avoid having her brother near his house.
Going into his own room to gather energy, he had Henry, who had just returned to the house, join him, and then locked the door to prevent interruption. They said very little lest Harriet have decided to eavesdrop, but Henry handed his employer a small envelope within which was a note from John Grey.
Had no trouble intercepting Lucky who was to have played the priest. He confessed to having been the one to push your son-in-law, Ralph Clark, into the horses, although he claims, of course, that it was all an accident. The driver of the conveyance, who still has nightmares, confirmed his identity, as did my man
