The Daughter of Highland Hall (4 page)

Mrs. Murdock, the cook, bustled in and set a tray of sandwiches on the table. She frowned at Nelson, the footman, who was already eating. “You’re certainly in a hurry. Couldn’t you wait for the rest of us?”

“Sorry.” Nelson glanced at Mr. Lawrence.

The butler turned to Mrs. Murdock. “I told them to go ahead. We have quite a bit to do, and I saw no need to wait.”

Mrs. Murdock rolled her eyes. “Oh, well, that explains it.”

Lydia and Ann exchanged a smile. Since their arrival in London, Mrs. Murdock and Mr. Lawrence seemed to be testing each other, trying to determine who was truly in charge at the meals. Although Mrs. Murdock oversaw two kitchen maids and all the meal preparations, she still answered to Mrs. Adams and Mr. Lawrence.

Each one had their place and knew they needed to keep to it and show the proper respect to those above them.

Ann glanced at the housekeeper. “That’s nice of Mrs. Adams to help you with the hat.”

“Yes, she’s kind.” Lydia leaned closer. “Ever so much nicer than Mrs. Emmitt.”

Ann’s lips puckered as though she’d tasted something bitter. “I’m glad we won’t be taking orders from her when we go back to Highland.”

“So am I.”

Mrs. Emmitt, the previous housekeeper at Highland, had tried to sack Ann last winter when she’d been caught alone with Peter Gates, a former groom. But Miss Foster had spoken up for Ann and convinced Sir William to overrule the housekeeper and keep Ann on.

Ann brushed a breadcrumb from her apron. “It’s good the truth about Mrs. Emmitt finally came out. Imagine, her trying to get rid of Miss Foster.”

Lydia shook her head. “She ought not to have done that.”

“Especially since Miss Foster and Sir William had feelings for each other.”

“It’s quite romantic, isn’t it—a fine gentleman like Sir William falling in love with a governess?”

Ann shrugged one shoulder. “I suppose. I’m just glad Mrs. Emmitt was the one who was sacked instead of Miss Foster or me.”

The staff had been told Mrs. Emmitt had resigned and gone to live with her sister in Bristol, but the truth had been whispered from one servant to the next, and few were sorry to see the old housekeeper go.

Lydia carefully poured herself a cup of tea, making sure not to splash any on Miss Katherine’s hat. “Do you think Mrs. Adams will be coming back to Highland, to replace Mrs. Emmitt?”

Ann shook her head. “I heard she has two daughters and a grandchild here in town. I doubt she’d want to take a job so far from her family.”

“Well, they’ll have to find someone to run the house.”

Ann spread butter on a slice of bread. “I wish I could apply, but they probably want someone with more experience.”

Lydia nodded. “It’s a big job to manage a house like Highland.”

Patrick, the second footman, walked into the servants’ hall. His light brown hair was neatly combed, and he wore a smart livery. “The afternoon post, sir.” He handed Mr. Lawrence a stack of envelopes.

“Thank you.” Mr. Lawrence quickly sorted through the pile and set most of the letters aside. He looked down the table. “Lydia, you have a letter.”

Lydia hopped up to accept the envelope from the butler. “Thank you, sir.”

He nodded and passed out two more pieces of mail.

Lydia glanced at the envelope and her spirit lifted. Letters from home were a rare treat, and she eagerly tore open the envelope. She unfolded the one sheet of paper and scanned the first few lines. Her breath caught in her throat as she quickly read the rest.

Your sister Helen has run off, and we are heartsick and so worried. We have no idea who she is with or where she’s gone. Have you heard from her?

Your father has spoken to some of the young people in the village and nearby farms. He even offered a reward. No one has come forward yet, but we hope someone will speak up soon. I feel certain one of them knows where she’s gone
.

Please pray for her and for us. Your father is beside himself, and my heart is breaking. If you hear from her, please send word right away
.

I hope you are well and you are able to learn all that’s needed in your new position. There are many temptations in London. I hope you will avoid them all and stay on the straight and narrow path
.

Your loving Mother

Lydia’s hand trembled as she stared at her mother’s script. Why would Helen run away? Of course, life on the farm was not easy, but how could she just up and disappear without telling their parents? Where would she go? How would she live?

If she longed to leave home that much, why didn’t she take a respectable job in service with a good family, rather than running off and causing so much trouble for their family? But Helen had always been a romantic soul and longed for the day when a young man would woo her and whisk her away to a charmed life.

Foolish girl!

Lydia folded the letter and slipped it back in the torn envelope.

“Lydia? What’s wrong?” Ann leaned toward her. “Is it bad news?”

Lydia swallowed and looked around. She couldn’t speak of her sister’s troubles here in the servants’ hall, not with everyone listening.

Ann reached for her arm. “Goodness, your face has gone as white as a sheet.”

Lydia pulled away and stood, but her legs felt shaky. “I’m all right. I just need … some fresh air.” She turned and strode out of the servants’ hall.

“But what about Miss Katherine’s hat?”

“I’ll come back for it.” Lydia hurried down the hall, then pushed open the back door. Stepping out to the rear courtyard, she squinted against the late afternoon sunlight. The smell of horses and hay drifted from the open stable door past the carriage house.

She leaned against a stack of wooden crates and tried to still her racing thoughts.

Oh, Helen, what have you done?

TWO
 

Jonathan walked down the hospital corridor with Theo Anderson, his friend and fellow medical student. The scent of antiseptic hung in the air, and a few small puddles from a recent mopping left a sheen on the edges of the smooth tile floor. Jon lifted a hand to his mouth and stifled a yawn.

Theo chuckled. “Don’t start that. It’s only nine o’clock.”

“Sorry. I didn’t get to bed until after one last night.”

“Studying for exams?”

“That’s what I should’ve been doing, but I was packing up my flat.”

Theo glanced at Jon. “You’re going to take me up on my offer?”

“I appreciate the invitation, but I’ve decided to stay with Sir William Ramsey, my sister’s fiancé, in Kensington. At least through July.”

Theo grinned. “Well, you’re certainly moving up in the world.”

Jon returned a slight smile. “Yes, I suppose I am.”

“That should be nice, having your own staff of maids and footmen.”

Jon’s smile faded. “I’ll take care of myself.”

“Maybe at first, but I think you’ll get used to having someone clean your shoes and press your suits.”

Discomfort tightened Jon’s chest. “I’m not staying with them because they have servants. William has a large house with plenty of room, and it’s only a ten-minute ride to the hospital.”

“That’s an advantage.”

“It will give me more time with my sister and William … or to do any number of things.”

A fleeting vision of Katherine Ramsey passed through his mind, but he quickly banished the thought. She might be beautiful, but she seemed to be self-absorbed and wrapped up in her preparations for the season. She’d rebuffed his smiles and avoided looking him in the eye yesterday. And he
knew why. Julia had told him Katherine’s goal was to receive a marriage proposal this season from a titled peer with a family estate. He could never compete with someone like that—

He shook his head at himself. He had no desire to compete, whether he could or not. When he married,
if
he married, it would be to someone who shared his values and goals.

“Moving to Kensington makes sense,” Theo said, “especially since you’ve received that inheritance from your grandfather.”

“I won’t see any of it until I turn twenty-five in August, but what does that have to do with it?” Jon glanced around, hoping none of the other hospital staff or students had heard. He was still getting used to the idea of the unexpected inheritance from his late grandfather, and he didn’t want others to know about it and treat him differently.

“It could open the door for you to be accepted in the better circles of society.”

“I suppose, especially if my aunt Beatrice and grandmother Shelburne have anything to say about it.”

Theo’s grin returned. “They’re still trying to introduce you to all their friends?”

Jon stopped at the end of the hallway, and a smile tugged at his lips. “Yes, it’s part of their not-so-subtle campaign to try and convince me to stay in England.”

“Really?” Theo lifted his eyebrows, humor reflected in his eyes.

“They’re hoping I’ll find a wife, sign on for a position at the hospital, and settle down in London.”

Theo cocked his head. “Would you consider that?”

Jon shifted his gaze to the windows, a hundred conflicting thoughts running through his mind. “I don’t know.”

“I thought you were going back to India.”

“That was the plan, but I always imagined my father and I would work together.”

Theo sobered. “He’s not going back?”

Jon shook his head. “It doesn’t look like it. His health has improved, but not enough for him to make such a long sea voyage or work in India’s climate. His doctor says it would be too hard on him, and I have to agree.”

Theo placed his hand on Jon’s shoulder. “Why not strike out on your own? With your experience and training, you’d do well wherever you go.”

“Thanks. I appreciate your vote of confidence.” Jon rubbed the bridge of his nose as another wave of tiredness washed over him. If he was going back to India next year, he should have already started the application process with the London Missionary Society. But each time he pulled out the paperwork, heaviness came over him.

Did he want to spend the rest of his life serving as a medical missionary? Was that the best use of his gifts, talents, and training? Had the Lord provided the inheritance so he could return to India independently, without the support of the missionary society? Or did He have some other plan in mind for Jon?

If he went overseas as an unmarried man, he would most likely be giving up the possibility of marriage and children—or at least postponing it for a good many years. Was he willing to make that kind of sacrifice?

But how could he stay in England and enjoy the life his inheritance would provide when there was such great need overseas? How could he walk away from all his parents had taught him about living a life focused on serving others and sharing the love of Christ with those who had never heard of Him?

What was his responsibility? What did God want him to do?

Theo thumped Jon’s shoulder and stirred him from his reverie.

“One thing is certain—at least you won’t have to spend your summer working at Hargrove’s like you did last year.”

Jon pushed his questions aside to consider later. “Yes, that’s a relief.” Loading crates of fruit and vegetables onto trucks had provided the funds he needed for his medical training, but it had been backbreaking work.

“Cheer up, Jon. You’re the envy of all our friends now.”

“You mean because I won’t be sweating my summer away on the docks?”

Theo grinned. “Yes, and because of your inheritance.”

“I thought I asked you not to say anything about that.”

“I haven’t said a word to anyone, but George Maddox asked me about it, and I heard Mrs. Worthington mention it to one of the other nurses.”

Jon narrowed his eyes. This was not good news. “It must be my aunt then. She seems determined to spread the news as far and wide as possible.”

Theo sent him a questioning glance.

“She hopes it will reach the ears of the social matrons, and I’ll be invited to some of the events this season.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad. I wouldn’t mind attending a few dinner parties or the races at Ascot.”

Jon rubbed his chin. It would be interesting to see how aristocrats entertained and enjoyed themselves. This might be his last chance to take part in events like that if he planned to return to India. But even considering it made him feel a bit guilty. How could he enjoy a lavish lifestyle when so many didn’t have the basic necessities?

He shook his head. He might be uncertain about taking part in the season, but one thing was clear: he did not want to become the focus of gossip. He turned to Theo. “If you hear anyone else discussing my inheritance, I hope you’ll put a stop to it.”

“I will. You have my word.”

“Thank you.”

Dr. Alfred Pittsford strode down the hall toward them. He wore a white physician’s coat, and a stethoscope hung around his neck. In his arms he carried a stack of bulging file folders. Dr. Pittsford taught two classes for the medical students, but he spent most of his time working at a free clinic he had opened on the East End.