Page 113 of The Fortunes of Ashmore Castle

‘Thank you, yes,’ Crooks said, sitting down.

‘It’s a shame you’re only staying one night,’ Mrs Webster said, from the other end.

‘My master and mistress are eager to get home,’ he said.

‘Well, perhaps they’ll favour us with a longer visit later in the year.’

‘I have no information about that.’ Crooks looked around the table, at the staring eyes and the averted eyes, and noted the unusual silence. ‘What were you all talking about when I came in?’ he asked.

No-one could remember. Then Rose said, ‘Music, wasn’t it?’

There was a pause, before Sam said bravely, ‘I like music all right if it’s something you can jig about to. Like that barrel organ that went through the village last week – did you hear it?’

‘There’s going to be a band at the fair,’ Doris said, ‘and dancing!’ The servants all got time off to go to the Canons Ashmore annual fair on Poor’s Field, in the village. She threw a sly glance at Sam. ‘You can dance with me, if you like. Show me how you jig about.’

The dam broke and they all started talking about the fair, which would have rides, and booths, and races, and plenty to eat and drink.

‘It’s a pity we can’t have it here,’ Mr Afton said to Mrs Webster.

‘We don’t have the space outside,’ said Mrs Webster. ‘If only we had a park, like at the Grange. But Miss Taylor once told me that they used to have a flower show here. I wonder if her ladyship would revive it.’

‘It’d be something,’ Afton said. ‘Miss Hatto, perhaps you could mention it to her ladyship. When the moment seems right?’

Miss Hatto only gave her mysterious smile and didn’t say yes or no.

And Mr Crooks ate bread and butter and let the noise wash over him, reflecting on the changes of fortune life brought. Once he had been valet to the old earl, the most consequential person below stairs after the butler; now he was just a visiting valet. But Mr Sebastian was a kind master and a true gentleman, and Crooks was gradually raising his sartorial standards to match Crooks’s own.

The long sojourn abroad had taught him that his master and the new mistress were truly devoted to each other, an attachment that deserved his respect. Furthermore, Mrs Sebastian had displayed an evenness of temper at all times, which boded well for the household. Travel, especially abroad, involved inconveniences that could bring out the worst in people of the bluest blood. To bear patiently with delays, lost items, unhelpful officials, and incomprehensible foreigners made the former sewing-maid a true lady in Crooks’s eyes. He only hoped the other Wisteria House servants would see it the same way.

‘This is very fine, madam,’ Ellen said, approaching with the evening gown. ‘Is it Paris?’

‘Yes,’ Dory said. ‘Paquin.’

Ellen committed the name to memory. ‘Beautiful embroidery. And the colour’s lovely.’

Dory was emboldened to ask, ‘Are they all very upset, downstairs?’

Ellen didn’t answer at once, lifting the dress over Dory’s head. Then, from behind her, starting on the hooks, she said, ‘You know what some of them are like, madam. Mr Afton says, “Dogs bark when the caravan goes by.”’

Dory met her eyes in the mirror. ‘Do you know what that means?’

‘Sort of,’ Ellen said. ‘Not the words, exactly, but the sense of it. I like Mr Afton. He’s always got a twinkle in his eye.’ There was silence until she’d fastened the last hook, and twitched the shoulders into place. ‘This is such a lovely gown, madam. Even her ladyship hasn’t got one as nice. If you’ll excuse the liberty, your hair’s not quite right at the back.’

‘I did it myself,’ Dory admitted, slightly embarrassed.

‘Can I fix it for you?’ She pulled out a few pins and began re-coiling the chignon. Then, feeling the moment was right, she said, ‘Will you be hiring a lady’s maid, madam, if I may ask?’

‘I haven’t really thought about it,’ Dory said.

‘Because, if you don’t mind me saying, you ought to have one. Fine lady’s gowns always have hooks in hard places. And they need the hair to be just so.’

‘I expect you’re right. I don’t know whether Mr Sebastian—’

‘I bet Mr Sebastian will want you to have everything you ought. He’s such a kind gentleman. And, madam, if you were to be thinking about engaging a lady’s maid – well, it’s what I’ve always wanted to be. I’ve maided lots of ladies who’ve come without their maids so I know what to do, and everyone says I’ve got a light hand with hair. There, that’s done.’ She pushed in a last pin and stepped back. She gave Dory a cocked, hopeful look. ‘I promise I’d give satisfaction.’

‘We’re only staying one night,’ Dory said doubtfully. It would be a rushed decision.

‘I know, madam. I could be ready to come tomorrow. I’m sure her ladyship wouldn’t mind if it was what Mr Sebastian wanted. I know she thinks the world of him.’