Chapter Twenty-Three: Ellie

I expected Harriet to lie in bed, as had been her habit since she arrived. However, her mother insisted she be up and dressed in her oldest dress. Did she hope that the earl would appear?

While Harriet had reveled in the previous day and being the center of attention, her mother had been increasingly put out that the earl of Berdwell did not appear. He didn't even send a message! Mr. Turner must have been serious when he'd informed her that he would deliver the message when his work for the day was complete.

So while Harriet beamed under such words as "Oh, Miss Burke, you are such a lovely creature" her mother just smiled and nodded. Mrs. Burke's eyes remained on the window when another lady proclaimed, "Miss Burke, you will be married in no time!"

Shaking my head, I tried to forget it all. With any luck, this day would be free of such dramatic praise. The words of the previous day's visitors had gone to Harriet's head.

But the earl had always come whenever Mrs. Burke had sent for him, even if it took him a few hours. If he came here, I would have to watch him give my stepsister the attention that should have come to me.

Unless Mr. Turner had...but no. There hadn't been enough time for him to find proof he would want to present to the earl. Where would he find the truth, even if he had plenty of time to do it?

I was mulling over this conundrum when the knocker sounded on the door. "Why! It is barely nine o'clock!" Mrs. Haynes exclaimed. "Who could that be?"

My heart sank. "It is the earl. Who else would come so early?"

Drying my hands on my apron, I hurried to the door. To my surprise, when I opened the door, it was not the earl. Instead, it was the earl's sisters who had visited earlier in the week. They were accompanied by two older ladies I did not recognize.

"Good morning, Ellie," Lady Burrows said with a friendly smile. "I know it is early, but is Mrs. Burke at home?"

"Good morning, ma'am. I will—" I began to say.

"Lady Burrows! Mrs. Fenrow!" Mrs. Burke exclaimed loudly as she pushed past me. "This is a surprise. I was beginning to think we would not see you until the masquerade tonight."

"Good morning, Mrs. Burke," Lady Burrows said, her tone becoming reserved. "I believe you remember my mother, the Countess of Berdwell and my aunt, Mrs. Turner."

Mr. Turner's mother? Glancign between the ladies, I could see something of a resemblance to the steward who had been so kind to me. However, there was no obvious sign who was the countess and who was Mrs. Turner.

"Of course I remember!" My stepmother said as she curtsied. "Do come in. Dear Harriet has been up for hours reacquainting herself with her home."

Thinking of how Harriet had complained as soon as she was roused and then had sulked on the settee in the sitting room, I had to look down.

"So early? I would have thought after her terrible journey here she would be eager for some rest," Lady Burrows responded. "We promise not to take too much of your time."

"Ellie, do go back to the kitchen where you can be useful, you lazy girl," Mrs. Burke hissed. "Let the ladies in."

Stepping back, I kept my head down. She was still worried I would give away her plot. Little did she know it had already happened and it was only a matter of time before she was revealed as being a lying manipulator! That thought was the only thing that helped me keep my temper.

"Harriet, dear!" Mrs. Burke called out. "You have visitors!"

"Is it the earl?" Harriet asked, rushing out of the sitting room. Her beaming smile faltered as she took in the group of women. "Oh."

"Harriet, let me make you know to the her ladyship the Countess of Berdwell, her daughters Lady Burrows and Mrs. Fenrow, and Mrs. Turner," Mrs Burke introduced, giving her daughter a warning look. "My stepdaughter, Miss Harriet Burke."

Harriet, of course, made a perfect curtsy. "I am delighted to finally meet you. I'm sorry. I was expecting to meet my guardian today. Stepmama has told me how generous he has been and I wish to thank him."

"There will be time enough for that, my dear," the countess said with a gentle smile. "Shall we sit down for a few minutes and become acquainted? I'm afraid we cannot stay for long."

They moved to the sitting room and I remained where I was. "And did you enjoy your time with your friends, Miss Burke?" Mrs. Fenrow asked as she entered the room. "You were with them for quite awhile."

"Oh, yes. We had a lovely time."

"Who were your friends?" the countess asked. "We must write and thank them for allowing you to come to us at last."

"Oh, that's not necessary," Mrs. Burke said swiftly. "After their driver was so horrible to Harriet, I can assure you we want nothing more to do with them. They ought to have been more careful with my dear girl."

There was a pause. "Oh, come now, Mrs. Burke," Lady Burrows said with a slight laugh. "They are not to blame the driver being derelict in his duty. You wish to end a friendship over this?"

"When you put it that way, of course not." Mrs. Burke's tone was reluctant. "However, I shall not trust them with my stepdaughter, I can tell you that. They ought to have been more careful in who they hired."

"Then, the driver did not work for them normally?" The countess asked, her tone puzzled. "I thought you came in your friend's carriage, Miss Burke. Was that not the case?"

Leaning my head against the wall, I smiled. Yes. Pick apart the small details. Ruffle her. Show she had not thought of everything!

"Well, I'm determined to put it behind me," Mrs. Burke said firmly. "Besdies, what does it matter now that Harriet is here?"

"Yes," an unfamiliar voice said. Mrs. Turner? Her tone was one of impatience. She sounded as though she didn't want to be there, so why had she come? "Miss Burke, I am interested to know how you are connected to our family. What can you tell me of your father and mother?"

Again, there was a pause. What a strange question! Did Mrs. Turner really think there was some family connection between myself and them? I knew so little about my mother's family that I couldn't say if it was possible or not.

"I am her only family now, Mrs. Turner," Mrs. Burke said, her tone becoming sharp. "I have encouraged Harriet not to dwell on the past. Her mother did not come from the best family."

"Oh, then you do know her family!" Mrs. Fenrow exclaimed with obvious delight. "Do tell us about them, Miss Burke. They may have fallen on hard times, but what family has not? It is nothing to be ashamed of."

"I really would rather not," Harriet replied, her tone hesitant. As she continued, her voice gained strength. "The first Mrs. Burke was an innkeeper's daughter. I'm sure there can be no connection to the earl."

"But what was your mother's name?" Mrs. Turner pressed. "Perhaps we knew her family."

"I-I don't remember," my stepmother stammered. "I was so young when she died."

Why hadn't my stepmother coached her on these details? Had she believed no one would ask about Captain Burke's first wife? Knowing her mother's name was something she should know!

Had Mr. Turner encouraged his cousins and mother to ask these things? Was this how he was beginning to sow doubt about Harriet's identity?

"I heard from Mrs. Burke that you enjoy gardening, Miss Burke," I heard the countess say as I moved to the kitchen. "I am fond of flowers myself. Which ones do you like best?"

I wanted to linger and hear her struggle to answer their questions. Mrs. Burke hadn't commanded me to bring tea but I didn't dare remain where I was. The visit was to be a short one, and I knew there would be consequences if I were in sight when they left.

The masquerade was only hours away.

~*~

My stepmother was in an even worse mood after the small group left. Had she been counting on the earl to visit that much? By the time it was mid-afternoon and Harriet began to dress for the ball, however, Mrs. Burke was in cheerful spirits. I assumed it was due to the impending ball.

I should have known better.

In the midst of the flurry to prepare for the ball, the bell at the front door rang. "Go and answer that, Ellie dear," Mrs. Burke said, threading false pearls through her daughter's hair. "I believe that is my guest and you're not being of much help here."

She had invited a guest? Wait. Why had she called me 'dear'? Mrs. Haynes looked as puzzled as I felt. A thread of unease wormed it's way into my mind as I left the bedroom. My stepmother had so many plans, it would have been impossible not to expect the worst with this new development.

The bell rang again, more insistent, just as I reached the bottom of the staircase. There was a man dressed all in black on the doorstep when I opened the door. "Is this Mrs. Burke's home?" he asked before I could say a word.

He was middle aged and a grey beard covered the lower half of his face. In his hand was a smallish case of black leather.

"Mrs. Burke is in residence, yes," I responded, unwilling to call it her home. Surely she wouldn't see it as such since she disparaged the cottage so often. "May I tell her who is calling?"

"Dr. Jenson. She sent for me."

A doctor? Mrs. Burke was in excellent health, otherwise she wouldn't be attending the ball. Why had she... Unease changed to fear. Was this the doctor she had said would send me to Bedlam?

"I will tell her you have arrived," I managed to say. "Would you please step inside?"

He did so and I hurried back upstairs. Though I didn't look back, the hairs on the back of my neck prickled as though someone was watching me. Was I imagining it? The feeling faded as soon as I was out of sight of the front door, but my fear had taken root in my stomach, making me feel sick.

"Dr. Jenson has arrived," I announced as I opened the bedroom door. My stepmother and Harriet stood in the middle of the room, their heads together as though they were whispering together.

"He is later than I expected, but at least he is here," Mrs. Burke said, running her hands over her daughter's shoulders. "Harriet, I believe you have never looked better. The earl would have to be a blind fool not to take notice of you."

Harriet just nodded. It was impossible to see how she was feeling. Earlier, I'd thought she was excited about attending the ball. Now, though, she seemed more anxious than anything else.

Was she nervous about attending the ball? Or had she realized the extent of her mother's scheme?

"You didn't say you were feeling ill, ma'am," Mrs. Haynes commented, her tone concerned. Concern for Mrs. Burke or concern that my stepmother had summoned the doctor for reasons not related to her health? "How long have you been feeling you needed the assistance of a physician? I could have sent Ellie for—"

"If I had wanted a country simpleton, I assure you I would have sent for your doctor," Mrs Burke interrupted, waving her hand. "See that Dr. Jenson is settled into the spare room, and provide him anything he asks for."

If I hadn't been afraid before, I was now. She hadn't summoned the doctor for herself. "Ma'am?" Mrs Haynes said uncertainly. "The doctor is remaining here tonight? It might be more appropriate if—"

"I did not ask for your opinion Mrs. Haynes! Look. The earl's carriage has arrived. We mustn't keep the driver waiting."

With Harriet right behind her, my stepmother swept out of the room. I exchanged a worried look with Mrs. Haynes before I followed. If she spoke to the doctor, I wanted to hear. Just in case it explained a small part of what was happening.

"Dr. Jenson, I'm so glad you could come," Mrs Burke said, holding out her hand as she approached the man in the hallway. "I promise this will be well worth your time."

"Your letter assured me of that," Dr. Jenson said. He looked past her and focused on me. "Should–"

"My dear doctor, you are eager! We'll discuss the details tomorrow morning," my stepmother said swiftly. "My daughter and I are dining out. My staff will see that you are comfortable in the meantime."

His face set in serious lines, the doctor inclined his head. "I will keep watch while you enjoy your evening."

I ducked my head and hurried to the kitchen. Mrs. Haynes followed on my heels. "Miss Ellie—"

"She lied," I whispered. "Don't you see? She never intended to let me go free. How could she? There would always be the risk that I would spoil her plans! She is going to send me to Bedlam with that doctor."

Her eyes widening, Mrs Haynes looked over her shoulder. "She wouldn't be so cruel! She gave her word."

But I knew it was true. Why else would she have sent for the man? "After all the lies we have heard her tell, are you really surprised that she would lie about this? Hasn't she bragged that she has planned everything out?"

Mrs. Haynes closed her eyes. At that moment, she looked older than I'd ever seen her. This scheme had taken it's toll on her as much as it had me. "Then, we have to get you out of the house as soon as we can."

"Mrs. Haynes! Ellie!" Mrs. Burke called, her tone impatient. "Where did you go? Come see to the doctor! He has had a long journey and needs refreshment!"

"I will go," Mrs. Haynes said swiftly. "You stay here. At least there is a door you can escape through."

"No. She will be suspicious if I stay away." I took a deep breath. "Once she is out of the cottage and that doctor is occupied with his meal, we can make our plan then. Until then, we must be careful."

Pursing her lips, Mrs. Haynes kept her opinion to herself and hurried out of the kitchen. I followed closely, making sure to keep my eyes down. Mrs. Burke was by the door and the doctor was just removing his greatcoat.

"Mama, let's go," Harriet said impatiently. "The longer I stand here, the more nervous I become."

Did she not know what her mother had planned? Was she as heartless as her mother or just blind to what was happening? Why would Mrs. Burke keep her daughter in the dark about this?

The pair left the house. Once the door closed behind them, Dr. Jenson fixed his stare on me. "So you are Elinor. Well, I'm pleased to finally meet you."

Finally? When had he first learned my name? Had my stepmother intended this betrayal all along?

"Ellie, why don't you go to the kitchen and prepare a tray for the good doctor," Mrs. Haynes said, stepping in front of me. "I will show you to your room, Doctor. It will be up the stairs."

"The girl can show me well enough. It will give us a chance to talk." Though he said it with a smile, his words sent a shiver down my back. Why would he want to talk to me?

"'The girl' does as I say, sir, and she is better suited to the kitchen." Mrs. Haynes raised her chin. "She is a shy girl and strangers such as yourself make her uneasy. Please come this way and I will take you to your room."

She gestured to the stairs, but otherwise held her ground. After several seconds that seemed to stretch on, the doctor gave a nod. He took a step back and indicated she should go ahead of him.

I backed towards the door of the kitchen. I didn't trust him not to linger or try some trick to get me alone. He'd been brought in to keep me in the cottage for the evening and, come morning, he would take me to Bedlam or some other hospital.

If I did not escape first.

Where could I go though? Miss Sharpe's cottage would not be far enough and Mrs. Burke would be sure to check there first. I had no other friend I could trust, save for Mr. Turner.

Should I go to the manor? If I told him, the one person who knew the truth, would he be able to help me? Was the manor large enough for me to hide in? Or would he know some place I could take refuge?

"You have to go," Mrs. Haynes hissed as she entered the kitchen. She glanced over her shoulder. "I left him the guest room, but he won't stay there long. He wants to take his meal down here in the kitchen."

I was already untying my apron. "I'm surprised she didn't hire guards to stand outside each door."

Her eyes widening, Mrs. Haynes rushed to the door and opened it. Miss Sharpe stood on the doorstep, her hand raised to knock. "Well. I didn't know I was expected," the former governess said. She held a carpetbag in her free hand. "I trust Mrs. Burke and her daughter are well away?"

"Yes, but we have other worries," I said and then explained the new turn of events. "I have to leave before—"

"Mrs. Haynes? Elinor?" Dr. Jenson's voice came from the hallway. His footsteps sounded on the stairs.

"Coming, Doctor," Mrs. Haynes responded immediately. She waved her hands at Miss Sharpe and myself before she rushed out. Was that supposed to be encouragement for us to make our plans?

"Well. It is a good thing I came." Miss Sharpe brushed past me and put the bag on the table. "We will have to work quickly and make do without the benefit of a bedroom and a mirror."

She pulled a blue gown from her bag. Although I only had a glimpse of it, the massive skirt hinted that this was not made in the current fashion. The deep color was like nothing I'd worn in my life.

"You still think I should go to the masquerade?"

"Your stepmother has taken an unforgivable step," Miss Sharpe said, pulling stockings and petticoats out of the bag. "Did she think that you would just stay here and wait to be taken away?"

"She does have a low opinion of my intelligence."

Miss Sharpe shook her head. "Alright. Now off with that dress and we'll get you dressed."

"Are you going somewhere, Elinor?" Dr. Jenson's voice sent a chill down my spine. Slowly, Miss Sharpe and I turned toward the doorway. The doctor was framed there and he had a slight smile on his face. "I do believe you have been told to remain inside. For your own safety."