aback for this young woman was beautiful and I felt a sudden sympathy for the older Henrietta Kershaw.
Now you have told me I can see that Emily has some of her features, especially the dark hair and the small pert mouth.’ I could hardly believe that this was the same woman that had berated us earlier.
‘Well it is, I can assure you.’ And he showed me the plaque to prove it, which read, Henrietta Kershaw 1854 . ‘Now let us talk of ourselves.’ He insisted taking my arm and leading me towards the door.
‘It’s nearly six o’clock,’ I exclaimed looking at my fob watch. ‘The time has just flown by today and I have to be in the kitchen in the next five minutes.’
‘Just time for me to say that we will still go to visit Whitby on Saturday if you are willing.’ As he asked the question he gently touched my cheek with the back of his hand.
‘Indeed I am, for if I am to be banished from the house I know it will be worth it,’ I teased laughing up at him.
‘Well then, I shall meet you in the pony and trap outside the gates at 9 a.m.’ So saying he took my hand gently kissing the palm which sent a shiver through my whole being.
‘I shall be there I promise.’ Praying silently that no-one would stop us.
***
Later, making my way to my room after supper, my thought was to find a suitable dress in my wardrobe for Emily’s party. After my interlude with Thomas in the long gallery I felt so much happier and had a spring in my step again.
The sun had moved across the sky leaving just a ray of light on the wardrobe which appeared to light my way. Opening the door I looked at my sparse array of dresses hung on the rail, deciding on which one would be suitable and alluring.
I picked out my best dress of pale blue, it was made of a light cotton material with a rounded neck-line, puffed sleeves to the elbow and a slightly flared skirt. Quickly I removed my shabby grey dress and put on the blue one.
The cotton felt cool against my skin and as I looked in the mirror at my reflection I realised that if I could find a haberdashery shop in Whitby I could purchase some silk flowers for the shoulder and waistline of the dress to follow the fashion of the day.
Also a matching flower in my hair could look quite fetching, with this thought in mind I felt so much better and looked forward to Emily’s party. I was about to remove the dress when there was a tap at the door.
It couldn’t be Mrs Grafton for she would have stepped in without invitation, how I loathed that woman. Opening the door I could see it was Alice and drew to one side so she could enter.
‘What a delightful dress,’ Alice observed, ‘and the colour suits you,’ she complimented me.
‘Thank you, I intend to wear it to Emily’s birthday party,’ I explained and told her my intention to stitch the silk flowers on to enhance the dress once I’d been able to purchase some.
‘A cream colour would look quite fetching,’ said the governess walking across to sit on my bed.
‘It’s pleasant to have you call on me,’ I said. Was there a purpose for your visit?’
‘I wish to know your thoughts about Gladys.’ At her words I thought of Clara.
‘To be honest I have no idea, except that a woman in the village suggested it was Antony Kershaw.’ I said innocently.
‘Antony, but that is rubbish!’ As Alice spoke she stood up pacing the floor quite distraught. I hadn’t expected my words to cause such a reaction.
‘I’m sorry if I’ve upset you, that is the last thing I wanted to do,’ I uttered, hoping my words would calm her and realising that Alice was a volatile person.
‘Antony Kershaw is a good man, he’s been very kind to me and he adores Emily,’ she defended him.
‘And what of his wife? Did she die in suspicious circumstances?’ I asked.
‘Certainly not. It was a tragic accident. Apparently Pheobe walked around the lake each evening before she retired for the night. This particular day there had been a lot of rain and