Chapter Twenty-Five: Ellie

Was I really dancing at a ball? Had I somehow slipped, hit my head, and this was all a wonderful dream? But, if this were a dream, I would not be having this kind of conversation with Mr. Turner, even if I wasn't sure what we would be speaking of. All the times I'd imagined being at a ball, I'd never thought of what I would talk to people about.

With a start, I remembered Mr. Turner still didn't know everything that had happened. "My stepmother brought a doctor from London," I told the man, who looked so concerned. "He asked if he needed to take his patient, but she said they could talk tomorrow. She instructed him to keep watch over me and Mrs. Haynes until she returned."

Mr. Turner shook his head. "The nerve of her! She never intended to let you walk free once she had what she wanted, did she? Of course she would think you were a threat."

We encountered another couple. Somehow, it wasn't as hard to smile politely as I might have expected as we went through the steps. I knew in a few minutes I would be back with Mr. Turner.

When my way had been blocked by Dr. Jenson, I had been afraid the only way I would leave the cottage would be as his prisoner. And when I had run up the driveway to Berdwell Manor, I'd expected to be turned away at the door.

It was a relief to tell Mr. Turner the story and be believed! He would know what to do about Dr. Jenson. If it hadn't been for Mrs. Haynes' ruthless action of hitting the doctor over the head, who knew what we would have done about him? Miss Sharpe had tied the man to a chair and vowed to make sure the man stayed in the sitting room for the evening.

Would we be arrested for assault on the man?

"You cannot go back," was the first thing Mr. Turner said when we were spinning away from anyone who would hear. "I will...no, there is no free room tonight. I doubt I could hide you in the attic. Well, then, you shall stay in my cottage and I will sleep in my office."

His ability to think of a plan so easily was wonderful! But... "What then?" I asked. It may solve the problem of where I would stay that night, but it was not a plan that solved the problem.

He hesitated. "I haven't quite worked that out yet. Perhaps we should just present it all to the earl and hope he will listen to reason."

Given that he had hesitated to do that before because of the lack of evidence and there was still no proof, that didn't seem like a successful plan. However, since I didn't have any other suggestions, I nodded. Doing something was better than nothing, right?

The musicians played their final note and we came to a halt. Around us, the other dancers applauded. Mr. Turner slowly released me, leaving me feeling deprived of his touch.

"Are you hungry?" he asked. "I can't guarantee that there will be a quiet place to sit but it will give us both time to think."

I'd barely had anything to eat since the morning meal. Mrs. Burke had kept me busy preparing Harriet for the ball and hadn't paused for anything more than a cup of tea. "I could eat," I responded honestly. Maybe it would help the headache that was threatening to form behind my eyes.

With a smile, he offered me his arm once again. I'd never been treated like such a lady before! I put my hand on his elbow, trying to remember everything Miss Sharpe might have taught me in the past. While she had focused on reading and manners, I wasn't sure she had ever mentioned how to behave at a ball!

"I invited Mr. Patchman," Mr. Turtner said in a low voice, leaning close to speak in my ear. "I hoped he might recognize Miss Emerson and save me the trouble of unmasking her myself."

"He didn't come?" I couldn't imagine anyone refusing to attend a party given by the Earl of Berdwell!

"Well, with everyone wearing masks, it's hard to tell." Mr. Turner glanced around and then abruptly steered us away from the doorway we were moving to. "On second thought, why don't we go to the gardens?"

"Alright," I managed to say, surprised by the sudden change. I'd always wanted to explore the garens at the manor. Though, with the sun setting, it would be difficult to see anything. Would there be lanterns there?

"Cousin!" A voice I only vaguely recognized called out above the din of the conversations around us. "Wait a moment! Alex!"

Mr. Turner's jaw clenched as he came to a halt. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"The earl evidently requires me. And we will draw even more attention if I pretend not to hear him."

I didn't understand the tension that had crept into my friend's voice. Was there a reason he wanted to keep me from the earl? Wouldn't the mask on my face hide my identity?

"Mr. Turner," an all-too familiar voice exclaimed. "His lordship was just saying you must join us for while we eat."

Harriet. And if Harriet was with the earl, her mother wouldn't be far behind.

"I'm sure you will excuse me," Mr. Turner said as he turned around. I kept my eyes down in the hopes I would go unnoticed by both. "I've already promised my time to the lady."

"And it will be a simple thing for us all to eat together," the earl said, his tone insistent. "You can introduce your companion to us."

"Introductions during a masked ball?" Mr. Turner asked with a slight laugh. "You know you will have to wait until midnight and everyone removes their mask! You might think you know the lady on your arm, but not everyone has that luxury."

The earl shook his head. "I apologize for the rudeness of my cousin, Miss," he said, addressing me directly for the first time. "He does not go out in society often, so we must overlook his lapse in manners."

"Indeed?" I felt obliged to say as I raised my chin. I would not let Mr. Turner be slighted in my presence! "I have not found him rude. In fact, I think he is the kindest man I have ever known."

Mr. Turner looked at me with a start and the earl stared at me. "Have we met?" was the titled man's next question.

The situation called for me to smile mysteriously and demur, like the heroines in Miss Sharpe's novels. I, however, didn't know how to do that, so I simply shook my head. "You wouldn't remember me, my lord."

"I'm sure that isn't the case. Give me a hint! Where did we meet?"

Harriet tugged on the earl's arm. "I'm hungry. You said we would eat, my lord."

Someone might have thought she didn't like attention being away from her. Given how much I knew she loved food, though, I believed her impatience.

"Of course, Miss Burke," the earl said, patting her hand. But he kept his eyes on me. "Part of the fun is guessing who each person is and I am determined to guess the identity of this mystery lady. It isn't every day my cousin chooses to have fun."

Under my hand, I felt Mr. Turner's arm tense. I didn't understand why he might be annoyed by what his cousin said, but I knew what it was like to be on the end of a subtle insult. So I was not going to let it stand.

"Do you have something against those who know the benefit of taking their responsibilities seriously, Lord Berdwell?" I asked, staring at the man. "An estate such as this one would be in a mess if there was no capable steward on hand to ensure things run smoothly. It is a wise man who will put aside fun to do so."

There was a heartbeat, where both men stared at me some more. Clearly neither of them had expected my little speech. I meant every word!

"It seems I have been put into my place," the earl said slowly. "You only intrigue me more, my lady."

"I am not your anything!" I was annoyed into saying. Which wasn't exactly true. I was his ward. He just didn't know it.

Mr. Turner made a sound that almost sounded like a snort. "Excuse us, my lord," he said, taking a step backwards. "We will leave you to enjoy your meal."

He then turned and we were hurrying away. "Was I unforgivably rude?" I asked, suddenly worried. I hadn't come to cause a scene, only to find safety. There really was nothing to gain by picking a fight with the earl. He didn't know any better.

"You were a champion." Mr. Turner grinned down at me. "I think you just might make him think before he speaks. He thought he was being funny."

"Something shouldn't be funny if it puts another person down."

"You're absolutely right," Mr. Turner agreed, his tone becoming serious. "Too few people understand that concept, I'm afraid, and my cousin is one of them. He and I have had a few disagreements of late and he has used them as poor jokes."

Oh, dear. I'd thought having the earl as my guardian would be a good thing, but did I want a man like Mr. Turner described managing my life? Would he be understanding about the deficiencies in my education or would he turn them into 'jokes' to make light of the matter?

We were only a few feet from the doors that I thought led out to the garden. A tall man I did not recognize intercepted us. "I hope I am not interrupting, Alex," he said.

"Actually–" Mr. Turner began to say.

"That guest you invited has arrived. I just thought you should know. Olivia is conversing with him outside the card room."

Who had Mr. Turner invited? Did he mean Mr. Patchman? When I glanced up at him, my escort was shaking his head. "Of course he would be here now," he said softly, almost as though he didn't mean for anyone to hear him.

The man who had approached us had heard, though, the same as I had. "I hope you haven't changed your mind," he said. "I've already told Olivia your plan and she is eager to send him after the earl and the young lady. She is currently interrogating the poor man on what he knows about Harriet Emerson."

"There has been a change of plans, Burrows," Mr. Turner said, speaking just loud enough to be heard.

"What change might that be? I thought you wished to see this false Miss Burke unmasked sooner rather than later."

Mr. Turner glanced at me. "I've become aware that the real Miss Burke is in some peril from her stepmother. I believe caution is in order to ensure she is not harmed. Causing a scene might not be the best "

His hesitation was due to me. I tightened my grip on his arm. "If you can have Harriet's identity revealed, you must do so," I told him. "That will provide the greatest security."

Leaning forward, the second man—the husband of Mr. Turner's cousin who had visited Meadowbrooke, I assumed—peered at me. It was difficult to make out his features behind his black mask. Uneasy, I took a step back.

"Alex," Lord Burrows said, straightening up. "Have you found the real Miss Burke and you didn't see fit to tell us?"

"We are trying to avoid a scene," Mr. Turner responded, not really answering the question. "This isn't the time or the place for a confrontation, my lord."

"You are worried you don't have proof."

Proof, proof, proof! Why did it have to always come back to that? Why couldn't they see just how many lies my stepmother has told and realize that this whole thing was just another lie?

"Speak to the man," I said to Mr. Turner. "Whatever you put in your message to him was enough to bring him here. If he cares for my...for Miss Emerson, he will want to know what she is involved in."

Still, Mr. Turner looked unconvinced. "I don't want to leave you alone," he said.

"We can leave her with your Great-Aunt," Lord Burrows said, gesturing to the closest wall. "She is sitting just there. No one would dare bother her with Lady Middleton, you know."

"Great Aunt Agatha?" Mr. Turner grimaced. "She's intimidating, to be sure, but that isn't fair to Miss...the young lady."

"Better decide quickly," Lord Burrows said. "Because Mrs. Burke is coming towards us now."

"I would be delighted to sit with the lady," I said swiftly. An intimidating lady was just the one who would keep Mrs. Burke at bay. "Lord Burrows, perhaps you would escort me while Mr. Turner sees to his guest?"

Lord Burrows offered his arm. "It would be my pleasure. Turner, you will find Olivia and Mr. Patchman in the library."

Though it had been my suggestion, I felt some reluctance as I transfered my hand from Mr. Turner's arm. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of my stepmother coming towards us. She wasn't wearing a mask, and there was an expression of determination on her face. What had drawn her attention? Me? Mr. Turner?

"Don't let Turner frighten you," Lord Burrows said, reclaiming my attention. "Lady Middleton is not terrifying. She simply takes advantage of her old age to say whatever she wishes."

"The one blessing to being aged," I managed to say with a slight laugh.

Was Mrs. Burke following us? I didn't dare look over my shoulder to check as Lord Burrows guided me to a row of chairs along the wall. There were several ladies seated there, one of which was dressed all in black.

It was to this lady that Lord Burrows made his bow. "Lady Middleton, I have brought you a companion."

"Do I look as though I need a companion?" the lady asked sharply, belying how frail she looked. She wore no mask to hide the wrinkles on her face. Her eyes reminded me of Mr. Turner's.

"You have caught me out," Lord Burrows said promptly. He made a show of glancing around before he added, "This young lady is trying to avoid another lady. Turner and I thought—"

"You thought that I would provide some deterrent," Lady Middleton interrupted. She scowled. "If Alexander wants to ask me something, he should do so himself. Well. No need to turn me up pretty, young man. I've never been one to turn away a girl in need. Go back to your wife."

With that, Lord Burrows left me. "Well, sit down already," Lady Middleton ordered, waving a hand at the seat beside her. "I have no intention of looking up at you any longer."

"Thank you," I murdered, hastily sitting down. From the seat, my view of the dancing was obstructed, but the music could be heard. Everyone sounded happy, laughing and clapping along. "Have you ever seen anything so wonderful?"

"At my age, such expenditure of energy is not wonderful." Lady Middleton peered at me. "Well, tell me who you are hiding from. It isn't every day a young lady is hiding from another female and not a troublesome man."

"It's...complicated." How much could I tell her?

"A matter is only as complicated as you make it, in my opinion. Let's see if we can simplify it a bit. This lady you are hiding from. Is she your rival for a man's hand?"

Rival? The very idea of Mrs. Burke competing for Mr. Turner's attention made me laugh. "No, my lady. She is my stepmother."

"Ah." The lady nodded. "A difficult role for any woman. I take it you do not get on with her?"

"No, my lady."

"That does not seem complicated. Your's would not be the first nor the last to have a difficult relationship like that. Why don't we move on to your name? As Burrows informed you, I am Lady Middleton."

"Elinor, my lady."

"Yes? Elinor, what?"

"Burke. Elinor Burke."

"Hmm." Lady Middleton shook her head. "I don't know the name.Well, I don't always remember the names to go with the faces. Is your father here? Perhaps I will know him then."

"My papa is dead. He was a captain."" I hesitated before adding, "And my mother was an inn keeper's daughter. I don't think you would have known either of them."

To my surprise, my honesty drew a laugh from the woman. "If you intended to shock me, you will have to try harder. At my age, I've heard all manner of shocking things. Tell me your mother's maiden name."

It didn't seem like she would abandon the topic. "Brown, my lady. My mother's name was Marie Elinor Brown."

Lady Middleton's eyebrows went up. "Brown, you say? Well, I suppose it is a common enough name." She shook her head. "No, at my age, I know a coincidence is not always what it seems. I must see your face."

"My face?" I repeated in surprise. "My lady, my stepmother does not know I am here. I—"

"Yes, your face. Nevermind your stepmother, whoever she may be. I will know how to deal with her. You may put your mask back on as soon I have seen what you look like. Come. Indulge an old woman."

What would be the harm? The mask was slipping a little anyway. Slowly, I reached up, untied the strings, and let the mask fall down. Eager to make as good an impression as I could, I smiled at her.

"Just as I thought," she said with satisfaction. "Well, Miss Elinor Burke I believe I can tell you something of your family."

How could she? Before I could ask what she meant, an exclamation sent a chill down my spine, "Oh, my lady! I'm so sorry this has happened! Ellie, what is the meaning of this impertinent? A ball is no place for a kitchen maid!"