- Chapter 7 -

Laying on her stomach between her two snoring siblings, Katherine poured out her thoughts in a small, tattered diary. Last night had not quite been the disaster she had anticipated. She was glad of the mock balls she, Eliza, and their siblings had attended among the trees behind the Ritewood's home and in the fields behind the Wheaton's farm. Eliza had declared her a natural; and luckily, she had not trodden on more than a couple toes.

The Baroness, thankfully, had expertly directed conversation away from subjects concerning Katherine Wheaton throughout the night; and Katherine had used the opportunity to learn much about the world. She knew of the war against Napoleon and the allies of the French; but the war felt so much closer, and much more real, once one was acquainted with those directly involved in it. Poor Lady Nelson. Katherine supposed it was an honor for one's husband to be an Admiral in charge of a fleet, but she felt as though she would go mad with worry if someone she loved was battling in war. She was immensely glad her brothers were needed at home and could not go.

The most difficult parts of the evening, she wrote, was the moment we arrived, and I was introduced to Mr Routley's Mother; and shortly thereafter, the man himself! But for those moments, I would have considered my first ball a complete success, and quite the most enjoyable experience of my life so far! I felt as though my heart was being ripped from my chest, so overcome I was with apprehension and terror!

I had, of course, expected to be greeted by Mrs Routley, as she was the hostess of the event; and I was truly terrified she would recognize me from when she came upon Brandon and I the last happy time we were together. I understood, at that time, why he had so determinedly avoided the two of us meeting.

How frightful she had been! A face so overcome with hatred and fury I have never seen; so angered was she, and over her son merely speaking to me in town! We may have been a bit nearer each other than what is proper, but not so much so, I believe, to warrant such an unwholly exaggerated reaction! But I am beginning to deviate. I return to the subject of last night's event.

I know not whether to love him or be angry towards him, for he is either daft or malicious. Why would he act so last night?! It would have been better had he ignored me, but he instead he danced and bantered on and called me beautiful! He knows what I am, what I feel, and what never can be between us; yet he threw my heart under a carriage by treating me like one of his fancy ladies of the Ton; smiling and charming like anything! Badly done Routley!

And yet...perhaps he is wise, and I too should enjoy the flames before they flicker out...

She stretched her fingers, which had begun to ache, and moved to set aside her book and homemade goose quill. There was a moment of panic as the ink pot threatened to spill on the covers; but once disaster was averted she reached over Betsey to set the items on a side table and sat up, yawning widely. She had finally arrived home at five o'clock this morning and it was now most likely nigh on to ten. She needed to be on her way to Rosforte Castle already, though Baroness Compton would most likely be asleep until past noon. She looked over at her sisters, laying on their stomachs on either side with no promise of ever rising. "Lazy bones." She muttered. "You two arrived home from your duties many hours before I, yet still you slumber." Her hands came down solidly on their bottoms and they rose in a rush with yelps from both sides.

"What was that for!" Cecilia wailed with a pout, then gasped in dismay. "Oh but look! How late it is! The morning has all but past!"

"Up and at'em ladies!" She grinned. "Shall we ask Mama if she can spare you two again today?"

"But being a lady's maid is so tiring!" Betsey lamented "I cannot move!"

"Then perhaps Mama will have something else for you to do today, like weeding the garden or gutting some chickens?"

Betsey's eyes widened at the mention of her least favorite chores. "Tying corsets isn't so bad I suppose."

Katherine hurried her sisters to get dressed before searching for her mother. Mrs Wheaton was found outside pinning up the wash; Katherine picked up one end of a sheet to help.

"You girls should really be on your way Katherine dear. I fear you are taking advantage of the Baroness's kindness in letting you commute."

Katherine smiled. "Of course Mama, but I worry for you. Miss Compton may want me at Rosforte as a permanent tenant soon, which means I will no longer be able to help you at home; except when I am allowed time to visit. Then if Bestey and Cecilia become lady's maids as well..."

"You really think I am unable to take care of the house without you three girls to help?" Her mother smiled at her, then added quietly "You are far more of a help at castle Rosforte. You know we can always use the extra money."

"You are right, as usual. I will gather the girls then."

~~~

The three of them arrived in good time and had everything ready for when the Baroness woke. They sat in the maid's room adjoining Miss Compton's dressing room, chatting quietly together as they refreshed some of Miss Compton's older garments.

"Long sleeves are running quite out of style." Betsey stated, holding up a forest green gown with long black lace sleeves. "What think you Kat, I believe I can repurpose these sleeves into a far more fetching shorter style."

"Splendid eye Bet, I'm going to check on Miss Compton to see if she is yet awake. I'll see if she approves." Katherine left her sisters and entered her Lady's room, just as Miss Compton sat up in bed. "Good day Miss Compton, your wash water is still quite warm."

Miss Compton rose and splashed her face as Kat rang for her breakfast to be brought up. "What are your plans for today Katherine?" Kat listed the duties she had planned for the day, as she brought her lady the day's outfit. "Do you think your sisters would be comfortable starting without you today? I know they may not yet be comfortable with the role, but I would like to speak with you on a matter of mild importance."

"Of course, Miss Compton. I can charge them with some of the simpler tasks, and they will do fine without me. When would you like me to set aside the time?"

Her employer spoke while Katherine slipped a petticoat over her head "Are they well occupied at the moment?"

"..Yes."

"Then good, no reason we can't discuss it now. This is sudden, but I'd like you to move into Rosforte castle as my personal companion. I would give you a fair allowance, and you may need a few lessons on etiquette, social intricacies, and the piano-forte, to become a convincing lady of the Ton...but I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult a thing to accomplish...What do you say?" She turned her head toward Katherine, who had stopped cinching her corset in shock. Katherine gulped and refocused on her task.

"I-I really don't know Miss Compton.." She had been given forewarning of this turn of events, but she somehow never really believed it could come true. Now that it had... "I don't understand Miss, why me? It is my understanding that a lady's companion is meant to be, well, a lady. I am not that, and I'm certain that if anyone were to know the daughter of a farmer was your companion, no amount of finery could possibly alter anyone's opinion of me. It would be my last wish to ever dim peoples respect towards you due to a close association with me."

Miss Compton let out a great sigh. "To answer your first question, it is because I feel quite akin to you. You are an interesting and strong young woman with a head on your shoulders and priorities in the right place. You have experienced little in life by the way of travel or leisure which would be fun to remedy, and you have a quick wit and mind for learning. I, on the other hand, am a woman with extensive years, with no close family and shamefully few true friends. I always wished to have a sister or a daughter, and if I am to have a companion I would wish to treat her as such. Who better to spoil than someone who would truly appreciate all I would share with them...have you seen the sea before Miss Wheaton."

"No Miss Compton." She replied in a daze, moving to sit where her employer was bidding her to.

The two sat on the window bench and the Baroness stared out at the lawns below. "It is a glorious thing, the sea."

"I still do not truly understand." Katherine started hesitantly. "Surely there is another young lady with a far more deserving station in life, who would very much appreciate being spoiled by you!"

The Baroness raised a brow over a sardonic hooded gaze "That is precisely the problem my dear Miss Wheaton. There are far too many young ladies who would have snapped up this offer before I'd had it fully out of my mouth. And as for them being deserving, that is a word that is too often used entirely out of context. Anyone society would expect me to want as a companion will have lounged on plush chaises most of her life, no doubt catered to. You have toiled, Miss Wheaton, and known responsibility and hardship that they will likely never know. I am hard pressed to believe you are not the more deserving of some pleasures in life. Not that modesty would allow you to admit it."

"You must know I would love the opportunity to be seen as your intimate friend, Miss Compton, but you must also understand I have no desire to be the subject of ridicule or judgement wherever I go. A farmer's daughter cannot possibly be the companion of a Baroness."

"You didn't seem to be subject to derision last night."

"Well no, but everyone just assumed.."

"Then let them assume, that is what they do best."

"But what if someone should ask?"

"Then we shall have to concoct a story, what fun!" The Baroness exclaimed, excitement brightening her face.

"I'm not sure I'm comfortable with lying."

"We would not be lying, we would be acting! We shall turn you into the diamond of the season and give you a story that will intrigue the masses. It will provide the old widows and gossips with some new fodder to spread. All good things of course, all good things."

"That smacks of deceit." Katherine wavered, still unsure. She knelt and finished pulling her employer's skirts over the petticoats.

"Oh no my young Miss Wheaton, don't you know? All the world's a stage!" She stood and grasped Katherine's hands, pulling her to her feet. "And all the men and women merely players! Now come, come, bring in your sisters and show them how to dress an old lady's hair!" Katherine couldn't stop the wide grin that began to form on her face. Perhaps it was a risky game to play, but my stars, does it ever sound like a daring venture with such a powerful benefactress at my side!