particularly after George bounded into the drawing room, I didn’t think you
seemed like a mistress sort.” She sighed. “It is just that there is so much
wickedness about. I’m glad you are not part of it.”
“What wickedness?”
“Oh, nothing here, specifically. But wickedness does abound. I was just speaking
in general. We live in very liberal times. I wonder what will happen to our
world when so many of the children are raised with no closely held values, no
sense of justice, little religious affiliation, or morality.”
“I had not really thought of it that way, but now I shall.” I stopped and put my
hand on her arm. “Amelia, you are worrying about everything at once. Now, this
corridor surely extends into the next century. Where is this infamous Blue Room?”
“Here we are. Your Miss Crislock is just beyond.”
She threw open the door. There were at least six branches of candles set all
about the room, filling every corner with light. A lazy fire burned in the
fireplace. The room was welcoming, warm.
Actually, it was the most beautiful bedchamber I had ever seen in my life. I
must have drawn in my breath, because after just an infinitesimal pause. Amelia
said carefully, as if probing for a splinter, “If one isn’t used to such
splendor as this, one can be overcome, don’t you think?”
She was jesting with me now, and I was charmed by her. I nodded solemnly. “I
would certainly agree. It is lovely. Of course, in the evening, with all the
blunt-tattered edges muted, so to speak, it looks vastly romantic.”
“Just so. Now, since you did not bring a maid, I will have my own Stella tend to
you tonight. Stella was told to unpack all your trunks. See, she left a
nightgown for you on the bed. I imagine she thinks that the stitching on it is
really quite magnificent.”
“That is Miss Crislock’s doing.” Although I really didn’t need a maid, at least
I could send this Stella for a dollop of brandy to ease my headache.
“Good night, Andy. I will show you the small black-painted room tomorrow morning.
The best story I’ve heard about its history is that a butler was murdered by a
long-ago countess in that room when he threatened to tell her husband that he
was her lover.”
“Oh, goodness, that makes me shudder just thinking about it. I really want to
see the Black Chamber. Now you finally managed to say my name. Thank you. I
promise you will get used to it. Everyone else seems to, even your uncle by
marriage.”
“I will see you in the morning.”
“I look forward to it. And stop worrying about everything. You have nothing to
fear from me. I am the most benign of creatures.”
“I’ll try,” she said, looking at her quite lovely white hands. Then she blurted
out, “Why aren’t you sleeping in Uncle Lawrence’s bedchamber or in the countess’s
bedchamber that adjoins it?”
I patted her arm. “Let it go, Amelia. It is really none of your affair. I know
you have questions, but please, just leave off for tonight.”
“I’m worried about Uncle Lawrence. He is not a young man. It’s possible, isn’t
it, that you drew him in, and made him marry you?”
“You think Uncle Lawrence is a doddering foolish old man?”
“Naturally not, but he has been alone a number of years. I am worried that you
could hurt him. None of us want Uncle Lawrence hurt. There, I have finally come
out and said what really worries me.”
“Ah, then that’s all right,” I said. “By all means, let’s always indulge in full
honesty, no matter how dreadful it is. Good night, Amelia. Believe me, I’m the
very least of any problem you will ever have.”
But once she had started, she couldn’t let it go. “I hope so. But don’t you see?
You are very young and very pretty. If you are honest and well-intentioned, then
why did you marry him?”
“He is quite to my liking.”
“Why would he marry you? A girl who is so young and so eccentrically brought up
that she actually whistled when she wished to leave the table?”