Chapter Seven: Ellie

I was fuming the entire walk back to Meadowbrooke. Mr. Turner had managed to shift my mood from one of petulance to pleasure, only for my stepmother to ruin it! She'd made me agree to saying nothing about my identity, but to treat me like she had was beyond what a person should be expected to bear!

In our absence, Harriet had seen fit to come down from her bed, although she had somehow managed to litter the sitting room floor with paper. The waste was horrifying and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the mess. "Clean that all up," my step-sister ordered from where she was sprawled on the longue. "Oh, and my room needs to be straightened."

"I am not your servant!"

Harriet's lips curved into a not-so-kind smile. "While my mother and I are in this stupid little cottage, you are. Now hurry along before I have to tell Mama that you have gone back on your word."

Just how long had Mrs. Burke planned to put me in the role of housemaid for Harriet to know that? She had still been in bed, fast asleep before we left for church. And yet, she knew all about it.

Biting my tongue, I went up to her old bedroom to discover that the chamber pot was full. Not for the first time, I regretted my fear earlier in the day. Now that I was free of my stepmother's gaze, I reconsidered my decision to agree to her stepmother's scheme.

What did Mrs. Burke want to accomplish by lying about who her stepdaughter was? Did she intend to coerce the earl into marriage? Why not just put Harriet in the man's path and let things happen as they would? Why did she have to use my name and identity?

Mrs. Haynes shook her head when she saw me with the camber pot. "Whatever threat she is using, it is not worth it, Miss Ellie," the woman said, keeping her voice down. "You should not be responsible for that task. Despite what she has said, you are not a maid!"

I felt a moment of relief that the housekeeper hadn't heard the entire conversation. But at the same time, I was disappointed. Keeping the secret would weigh on me, but I couldn't explain it. "Aren't you the one who was just telling me that I ought not to think too highly of myself?"

My accusation made the housekeeper pause. "I suppose I am," she said sadly. "But why are you taking this indignity from your stepmother?"

Would it be possible to tell her part of the truth? Enough to keep her from worrying? "Mrs. Burke has promised to see the cottage repaired if I do as she says," I admitted, letting my shoulders sag. "Is it not easier to play her game and survive?"

"Ellie, child, please listen to me." Mrs. Haynes put her hand on my shoulder. "Whatever her threat is, it cannot be worth all of this. Refuse. We will think of some way to repair Meadowbrooke if that is your concern. Did we not get the roof fixed when it seemed impossible?"

Shaking her head, I continued on to empty the chamber pot. For the moment, I was doing the right thing. And I had to keep telling myself as I cleaned the chamber pot thoroughly.

~*~

Soon after, I heard my stepmother and Harriet arguing in the sitting room. Though I tried, the floor creaked too much for me to approach the door without being heard. At each sound, the voices would fall silent. Twice Harriet came to the door and demanded to know what I thought I was doing.

Giving up on eavesdropping, I took myself to the garden where I hoped I would relax. Pulling weeds was satisfying, but left me with too much time to think. By the time I returned inside, I had dirty hands and fingernails but no hint of the serenity gardening usually inspired.

"Who were you speaking to after church?" Mrs. Haynes asked, setting water on to boil.

"Mr. Turner. He is the steward at Berdwell Manor." I didn't think I ought to add that apparently the man was also the earl's cousin. "He wanted to know about Mrs. Burke."

"Did he? Why was that?"

"I'm not sure. I'm sure you saw her come over soon after, and she was eager to keep me from continuing my conversation."

"While I hope you didn't say anything you weren't supposed to."

"I don't think I did, but he doesn't have a high opinion of her as it is."

The woman let out a laugh. "Well, then he just might be smarter than he looked."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I've often seen a man with a pretty face is oftentimes one who doesn't have much of a mind behind it. And he comes from London, hasn't he? It could be that he doesn't know the kind of sense a man born and raised in the country might have."

"I thought you always said not to judge a person before you have spoken to them," I said, offended on behalf of the gentleman.

Mrs. Haynes paused and then nodded. "Yes, I suppose that's true. If your stepmother was angered to see you talking to him, it might be best not to do so while she is here."

While she began preparing for the evening meal, there was knocking at the door. "I'll see who it is," I said with a sigh. I put down the knife I'd been using to peel potatoes.

After having my step-family appear on the doorstep unexpectedly, I was sure nothing would surprise me. But when I opened the door to find the Earl of Berdwell there, I didn't know what to say.

"Good day. Is Mrs. Burke in?" he asked, as he removed his hat.

What was he doing there? "Yes, your lordship," I said hastily. A moment later, I remembered to make my curtsy. "If you will step in I will see if she is receiving visitors."

That was the right thing to say, wasn't it? The tall man nodded and did as I said. Rubbing my sweaty palms against my skirt, I hurried for the sitting room. Should I have warned the man that Mrs. Burke meant trouble? Would he have even believed me?

I opened the sitting room door. "What do you want?" Mrs. Burke demanded, her tone irritated.

"Lord Berdwell is here, ma'am, and asking to speak to you."

To see both women in the room freeze was an amusing sight. Even more delightful was seeing Harriet spring up and send her fashion magazines flying in the air. "He is here? Why? What does he want? I'm not ready!"

"Keep your voice down. You're not even supposed to be here. Go to your room and stay there," Mrs. Burke ordered. "Ellie, tell the man I need a moment to present myself and then you may show him up."

"You want to keep an earl waiting?" I asked. Why wasn't my stepmother introducing Harriet to him right then and there? Nothing seemed amiss in what she was wearing. Why was Harriet not supposed to be there?

"Do not question me, you impertinent thing! Do as I tell you!"

Biting my tongue, I backed out of the room and then hurried back to the front door. The earl was frowning at the floor. "Mrs. Burke will see you now," I said. Maybe if the earl saw Harriet now, the deception could be over.

"Girl, when was the last time repairs were done here?" he asked without acknowledging what I had said. "The gate barely opened and these floors are beginning to warp."

"I do not know," she said honestly. "And I have been here for twelve years."

Even when there had been a man of all work, he had kept busy in the garden. There had been a few tasks inside —a stuck window and a blocked chimney—but it had been rare.

It clearly was not the answer the earl had wanted for his frown deepened, but I wasn't sure what he had wanted to hear. He shook his head. "Well. Lead on, then," he said. "I can only hope Mrs. Burke will have an answer for me."

Feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment, I led him to the sitting room. I was surprised he hadn't heard my stepmother's voice earlier. The cottage was not that big and sound traveled easily.

"The earl of Berdwell, ma'am," I remembered to say clearly when I opened the door to the room. Thank goodness I had enjoyed Miss Sharpe's stories of her time with a titled family.

"Lord Berdwell!" Mrs. Burke exclaimed, rising from the old chaise longue. She held her hand out. "I did not think your steward had passed on the message and had quite given up on you."

"Mr. Turner gave me the message as soon as he was able. I had a letter to write before I could come." The earl did not take the woman's hand as he made a bow. "What concerns do you have?"

Mrs. Burke's gaze moved past the earl to me as I lingered at the door. "That will be all, Ellie," she said sharply. Her voice softened as she looked at the earl. "Unless you would like some tea, your lordship?"

Lord Berdwell refused and I slipped out. I wavered between hurrying down to tell Mrs. Haynes about their titled visitor and remaining where I was to hear as much as I could. "I don't think it can have escaped your notice that Meadowbrooke cottage has fallen into disrepair," I heard Mrs. Burke say.

Fallen into disrepair? Ignored into ruin was more like it! I remained where I was.

"No, it did not," the earl answered, his tone serious. "Your maid said nothing has been done in the twelve years she has been here."

There was a moment of silence. "Ah. Yes. I'm afraid that is the truth. This was my husband's home, you know. After he died, I couldn't bring myself to return and relied on the reports of the servants to keep me apprised of the state of things. It was a shock to arrive and see how things really stood."

Rolling my eyes, I leaned her head close. Of course my stepmother would play the victim. And reports had been made about the problems that needed to be fixed! She had chosen to ignore them!

"In the last twelve years, you have never thought to check on the cottage yourself or to bring your stepdaughter to her father's home?" The earl's tone had become skeptical.

"She has been happy at school and visiting her friends," Mrs. Burke exclaimed defensively. "Why would I bring her to the country where there can be little good company for her?"

The earl made a sound that could have been either agreement or contradiction. "Are you trying to say that your servants squandered the money you sent for the upkeep of the cottage?"

I had to bite my lip to keep from crying out in protest. Was there no limit to her lies? Why was she inventing such a story? "Yes, that is exactly it!" Mrs. Burke said swiftly.

"What do you wish to do for you?" he asked.

"I am hoping you can help me restore the cottage, or at least make it livable, before Harriet returns." Mrs. Burke's tone was earnest. "If you are determined to have her here, she must have a place to sleep without worrying that the ceiling is going to collapse on her head."

"She can stay at the manor with my sisters and I. She will enjoy the events of the house party more fully."

"When you have hardly met her? Oh, no! As you said, this was her father's house. This is where she will want to be."

A house party? The earl was having guests and Harriet was to go? There was a long pause as though the earl was thinking. "I will have Mr. Turner visit you. Tomorrow, if that is convenient?" he finally said. "He will make a list of what needs to be done and we will see what to do next."

"Ah. Your steward. I don't know if you noticed but he was speaking to my maid today."

The earl let out a laugh. "She is a remarkably pretty girl, Mrs. Burke. I am surprised more young men were not speaking to her after church today."

There was no time to feel embarrassed at the compliment. "I think it would be best if you warned your steward to keep away from her," Mrs. Burke said firmly. "I do not want trouble in my household."

"Do you mean to imply that Mr. Turner, my cousin, would trifle with the young woman?" The earl asked, all traces of amusement vanishing from his voice. "I can assure, Mrs. Burke, that he is not that kind of gentleman and I will not tolerate an insult directed toward him."

"I did not mean any offense," Mrs. Burke was quick to say. "She is just so young, and I must naturally feel concern for her since she is in my household and has no one to look after her interests."

"Was there something you intended to tell me about your stepdaughter?" The earl asked, changing the subject.

"Oh, yes. Here. Come and sit by the window. I have some of the needlework she has done. She so loves to embroider pillowcases. Doesn't she make excellent designs?"

It seemed there was nothing more of interest to be learned, and I was not in the mood to listen to Harriet's talents being praised. I stepped carefully as I hurried to the kitchen.

"Who was that?" Mrs. Haynes asked, looking up from the sauce she was stirring. "It sounded like a man."

"It was. The earl of Berdwell came to see Mrs. Burke."

"Did he?" Mrs. Haynes' eyebrows went up. "Whatever did he want? He cannot have business with her."

"Mrs. Burke has asked him to see to the repairs of the cottage, and made it sound like it is his obligation to do so. She claimed that she wanted a safe place for Harriet."

"She didn't! It is no one's responsibility except her's, unless there is something she hasn't told you."

"I think there is a great deal my stepmother hasn't told me."

Before I could go on, I heard voices. "Wait. I think he is leaving now." I rushed to the doorway and peered into the hallway. Sure enough, Mrs. Burke was at the front door with the earl. After a moment, the earl nodded and stepped out. The woman firmly closed the door and remained there, her shoulders rising and falling. Then, she spun around. Springing back, I ran to the table.

I'd just picked up my knife and a potato when my stepmother entered. "There," the woman said, her tone triumphant. "You can see I have kept my side of the bargain. As a show of good faith, I have arranged to have your precious cottage repaired. Now I expect you to keep your word, Elinor Burke. You will say nothing about who you are, no matter what you may hear from these simple minded people who are your neighbors."

"Leave her alone!" Mrs. Haynes said, stepping forward.

"If you wish to stay on here, you will keep out of this," Mrs. Burke snapped, glaring at the woman. "This has nothing to do with you. Elinor has given me her word. Haven't you, Elinor?"

"The earl isn't going to like your lies when he finds out the truth," I said, raising my chin.

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him and who will tell him? You?" Mrs. Burke laughed. "Do you honestly think he will believe the word of a maid over a lady of his own acquaintance? Run after him now and tell him!"

Confused, I shook my head. I didn't know what to think anymore. "Well? Go." My stepmother pointed in the direction of the road. "You could catch him if you hurry. Tell him I am scheming. Tell him you are Elinor Burke. See what happens."

"Someone ought to tell him," Mrs. Haynes spoke up. "If he won't listen to Miss Ellie, might be he'll listen to me. Or any of the men and women who once worked here but left when you wouldn't pay them."

"Mrs. Haynes, you will keep out of this and I will not warn you again." Mrs. Burke kept her eyes on me. "Or do you not know the consequences of going against me?"

"Dismiss me without any reference if you must," Mrs. Haynes said, putting her hands on her hips. "I have family and I will get by very well. Miss Ellie will be welcome to come with me."

"Come with you?" Again, Mrs. Burke laughed. "Even if you were to slip out unnoticed, do you honestly think I wouldn't be able to find you? And just think what a doctor might have to say about her irrational behavior. No young lady of sound mind would flee her family's house to live with a servant. It would have to be Bedlam for her!"

Mrs. Haynes' expression became one of horror. "I won't say anything," I blurted out, hating how my stepmother was baiting the other woman. "Just leave us out of whatever it is you are scheming."

"Stay away from the earl and his steward," was Mrs. Burke's last warning before she turned. She paused and said over her shoulder. "And don't mention Harriet either. I will not have my plans disturbed."

With that, she left the kitchen. Swallowing hard, I looked at Mrs. Haynes. The woman's expression was worn and tired. She held her arms out and, fighting back tears, I rushed to be embraced.

"Chin up, my girl," Mrs. Haynes whispered. "We'll find a way out of this for you."