Page 53 of A Single Thread of Moonlight

A simple scene of the river beneath the moonlight. I remembered the day I had finished it. It was just after my father had died, and Agatha had given me a bobbin of pale silvery thread from her own embroidery basket. It was the one nice thing I ever remembered her doing for me. I had been beyond being able to talk to anyone, but Agatha and Cassie had sat next to me while I worked on it. Almost like sisters.

I felt a catch in my throat. “What a lovely piece of embroidery,” I said.

Helena glanced at it. “Oh, yes,” she said. “One of Agatha’s pieces from when she was a little girl. Such an accomplished young lady. I tell you, Miss Fox, there’s nothing she can’t turn her hand to.”

Agatha smiled complacently. That was more like the Agatha that I knew. Taking credit for someone else’s work. My own smile was thin, my eyes lingering on the stitches that I had made in my darkest hours. There had been a piece of me out on display for everyone to see for all these years, despite Helena’s best efforts to pretend I had never existed.

“So, you girls are off for a morning’s shopping, are you?” Lady Bell said brightly. “How nice that will be.”

“Well, we have to collect Cassie’s gown,” Agatha said. Of course, there would be no modish London-made dress for Cassie, not that I should imagine she minded that much. “And I must choose some new gloves for tomorrow night,” Agatha continued. “Perhaps something for my hair as well. I’m determined to do something a little different. I’m so glad that I can get your opinion, Miss Fox.” She beamed at me. “You have such excellent taste.”

I almost spilled the cup of tea I had been handed. Now Agatha was being nice to me? She and Helena were definitely up to something.

“That’s kind of you to say,” I replied. “Though you certainly need no advice from me on that score.”

Agatha’s laugh was bell-like, but Cassie’s face grew increasingly grim.

After another few minutes of painful small talk, Tookes entered to let us know that the carriage had been brought around. I noticed that he was careful not to meet my eye as he departed.

Cassie linked my arm with hers as we walked out of the room.

“Why is your sister suddenly being so nice to me?” I asked in a low voice.

“No idea,” Cassie whispered back. “But don’t trust a word that trips off that forked tongue.”

I smothered a giggle at that. “What are you doing coming on this outing anyway?” I asked. “I thought you’d have had the good sense to get out of it.”

“Do you think I didn’t try? Mama insisted, and sometimes it’s simply not worth the argument. Anyway”– her frown lifted – “I have some books to collect from the bookshop, so it won’t be a totally wasted journey.”

The four of us were to travel with Matilda, and Agatha’s maid, in the enormous family carriage that loomed over us on the driveway. It was new, impractically cream coloured, with the family crest – my family crest – painted on the doors in gold.

The inside was all rich red velvet. It was more suited to a member of the royal family than young women out for a day’s shopping. It must have cost a fortune. It was becoming increasingly obvious that Helena had spent an enormous amount of money in the last seven years. Still, I knew that Father had inherited a fortune tidy enough for his daughters to call themselves heiresses. That money had grown, thanks to my grandfather’s savvy investment, particularly early on in the railways.

What I didn’t know were the precise details of Father’s will, and how much of the money Helena had access to. I thought of last night and my failed attempts to search for my father’s papers. I would just have to try again.

“Isn’t this cosy?” Agatha sang, as we rattled along. “How pleasant to get away from the house, even in this miserable weather.”

Sophia smiled back at her. “Yes, much better than being cooped up indoors.”

I wasn’t sure she actually believed that, but I could tell she was gamely trying to be a good guest.

“I think indoors is the perfect place to be in this weather,” Cassie grumbled. “Anyone who says different is a fool.”

Sophia sighed and I gave Cassie a sharp elbow in the side. She looked up, catching sight of Sophia’s despondent face.

“But it’s nice to get the chance to spend more time together,” she said, clearly making an effort.

“It is,” I said encouragingly. “Tell me, Lady Sophia – I know you’re an accomplished rider. Have you ever thought to try the bicycle?”

“The bicycle?” Sophia frowned. “I don’t think Mama would like it.” She hesitated, her eyes darting nervously to Agatha, who was sitting prim and straight in the corner opposite me. She seemed to muster her courage. “But I always thought it would be exciting to try.”

Cassie’s eyes lit up. “It is! Miss Fox will tell you, and I have to say she made such good progress, even in just one lesson. Perhaps you could join us next time?”

Sophia flushed with pleasure. “I would like that,” she said.

The conversation continued, Sophia urging Cassie on with questions not only about Cassie’s experience of cycling, but also of the mechanics of it, which my stepsister was only too happy to explain.

“Well, Miss Fox.” Agatha leaned towards me, speaking softly. “How nicely you handled that. Bringing them both out of their shells. You have the kindest heart.”