A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jack took his cap off and knocked at the
door. The house still put him in awe. He was so nervous, more than his previous
visit and he nearly turned around and went back down the path. However, he
stopped and took a deep breath. He had to do this.
Pansy peered through the kitchen window. She immediately recognized Jack and
rushed to answer the door, deliberately forgetting what she had been told.
Edward the footman was closer to the door and got there first. Mrs. Hunter
looked up.
"Pansy, get back to those pots now, you stupid girl"
Pansy hopped from one foot to the other, her plaits bouncing. She was torn
between trying to get a glimpse of the blonde boy and going back to the pots.
"Ow," she yelled as Mrs. Hunter pulled her by the ear back to the
butler sink, which was piled with pots and pans.
"I told you. Now get on with it"
Reluctantly, she began scrubbing, glancing furtively at the door.
The door opened before him, Jack stood politely and asked the young man for
Trudy.
"I have a package for Miss Rose" he explained.
"I'll take it, thank you" the tall dark haired man offered his hand.
"No thank you Sir." Jack declined. "It is very important. Miss
Rose asked that I give it to Trudy only"
"Very well, come and wait here. I will be a minute" the footman
opened the door a little wider and gestured for Jack to enter.
"What name shall I give to Trudy?" he inquired.
"Dawson, sir"
Jack entered the small hallway that led to the enormous kitchen. The hall was
scrubbed clean and seemed to be used for the servants out door shoes. Jack
stood at the entrance to the kitchen. To the left a young girl with ginger
plaits grinned at him from the sink. He recognized her as the girl who had
opened the door before. The kitchen was so big! Light seemed to bounce back at
him from gleaming copper pans hanging from the ceiling. A lovely aroma of
cooking seemed to surround him. A small plump woman in an apron was stirring
pots on the stove. Although the windows were open it was hot from the cooking.
Jack felt hot and uncomfortable. He wiped his brow.
"Warm, ain't it?" he grinned at the cook.
She smiled back, charmed by the young man.
"Sure is. Sit down, fancy a cold drink?"
Pansy was agog. Mrs. Hunter had never been so nice to her.
The cook went out of the room and came back with lemonade, a chunk of ice in
it.
"There you go."
Jack sat at the scrubbed wooden table that seemed to fill the whole center of
the room. Well, he told himself, you are here, in Rose's house! I wonder if she
ever comes down here? Nope, I can't see that happening.
Another voice in his head reminded him that he was sitting at Hockley's table
and drinking his lemonade. He sat nervously.
"Nice family to work for?" he asked the cook.
Mrs. Hunter wiped her hands on her apron.
"Yes, lad, can't complain." She scowled at Pansy who had stopped
scrubbing.
"Get on with that, girl" she shouted.
"So what do you do then?" she addressed Jack
"Oh, I'm just an artist" he said modestly.
"Ah, then that's why you have something for Miss Rose then. Very fond of
art Miss Rose is. Has lots of lovely pictures. Some aren't to my taste like,
but she loves 'em."
Trudy sat in a back room examining the hems of some of Rose's gowns. Being a
ladies maid with no lady to look after had left Trudy with a lot of spare time.
She decided to use it productively and go over Rose's gowns for signs of wear
and tear. She looked up when Edward came in.
"Trudy, there's a young man called Dawson here to see you. Say's he's got
a parcel for Miss Rose."
Lovejoy was also in the room, brushing some of Cal's hats and outdoor coats. He
worked in silence, too arrogant to speak to Trudy. She like wise did not speak
to Lovejoy. She did not particularly care for him. His ears pricked up at the
mention of Dawson. He silently followed Trudy and Edward out of the room, like
a shadow.
Jack stood up as Trudy entered the room.
"Hello Miss Trudy" he greeted her politely. "I have a parcel for
Miss Rose. May I speak to you" he looked round "in private."
Trudy led him back to the hallway.
"These are the drawings she ordered." Jack said passing the parcel to
Trudy. He nervously looked at his boots, then back to Trudy. "How is Miss
Rose? I haven't seen her for a while."
It was Trudy's turn to be nervous. She couldn't tell Jack the truth, that her
mistress had been locked in her room for days. She imagined Jack storming up
the ornate wooden staircase, demanding Rose to be released.
"She is fine Mr. Dawson. I sure she will be delighted to receive
these".
Jack was disappointed. He had almost hoped Trudy would have revealed more.
"Ok. Just tell her, tell her" he faltered thinking of something to
say. "Just tell her I hope to see her soon."
"I will and I shall take these to her now." Trudy lied. She looked at
Jack, paused, then changed her mind.
"Mr. Dawson, I am sure you know Miss Rose values your friendship despite,
well despite things. Please be there for her if she needs a friend." Trudy
looked him earnestly hoping her eyes said more.
"I will, thanks Trudy, bye." Jack started to go his heart feeling
lighter. Then remembered his manners. "Oh, please thank the cook for the
drink". He pulled his cap back on and with a smile, walked away.
Trudy looked at the rolled up parcel then walked back into the kitchen almost
colliding with Lovejoy. She looked up startled at his presence. She thought he
was in the valet room. She didn't know he had been standing behind the door,
listening to their conversation. She glared at him but he did not move out of
her way.
"What do you have there?" Lovejoy indicated the parcel.
"Some drawings for Miss Rose. Nothing for you Mr. Lovejoy." Trudy
held onto the parcel.
"You will not be allowed to give it to Miss Rose."
"Well Mr. Lovejoy, I shall put them safe until I can" Trudy pushed
past Lovejoy and left the kitchen. Pansy watched wide-eyed. Mrs. Hunter
continued to stir the pots. It was best to keep out of Mr. Lovejoy's way.