Page 121 of The Fortunes of Ashmore Castle

Linda turned away. ‘If Mother can manage it, at her age . . .’ she added, under her breath.

The journey was long and slow and tiring, and by the time Alice and Miss Kettel were on the final train to London, they were weary and grubby.

Alice was worried about what would happen to her companion.

‘There are agencies,’ Miss Kettel said, in a leaden voice. ‘But without a reference . . .’

‘Didn’t Lady Cordwell give you one?’ Alice said, uncomfortably.

‘One could hardly expect it, after the death of her son.’

‘But it wasn’t your fault!’ Alice cried. ‘He ran away and got in an accident. There was nothing you could have done. He was always running away. You couldn’t watch him every moment of every day.’

‘It was my responsibility,’ said Miss Kettel. ‘He was in my charge.’

‘But what will you do?’

‘I doubt I shall be able to get another position as a governess. I can teach at a school, however. Not at a good school, of course, with no reference. But there are lesser schools that are not so particular.’

Alice looked at her in silent sympathy, not knowing what to say. She looked so worn and uncomfortable. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said at last.

Miss Kettel roused herself. ‘Let me be a lesson to you, my dear. For a woman, reputation is everything. Once lose it, and you are lost indeed. Take care of your reputation, Lady Alice. When one is young and full of passion, one is too likely to undervalue it.’

Alice was not sure what she was being put on guard against, but there was no doubt Miss Kettel was sincere in her warning.

* * *

The brake had been brought round into the back yard, so that the luggage could be carried out that way. There was a great bustle, laden servants trotting to and fro and dodging each other in doorways, as the handsome leather cases and trunks were piled up ready to load. Miss Hatto was supervising her ladyship’s with a sharp eye, one hand tightly gripping the jewel case. Afton should have been doing the same for his lordship’s, but he had got sidetracked, handing over the butler’s responsibilities to William, who could be slow in his responses.

Sam came up to him. ‘Excuse me, Mr Afton, but I don’t see his lordship’s gun case anywhere.’

‘Gun case?’ Afton said blankly.

‘And his rods.’

Afton snapped his fingers in annoyance. He had been thinking only about deer-stalking, which meant rifles, which his lordship didn’t own. But of course there would be game birds as well. And fishing? The Tay was all about fishing. How could he have forgotten? ‘I haven’t packed them yet,’ he admitted.

‘I can do it,’ Sam said. ‘I know how.’

‘Thank you, Sam. William, go and help him. You know which rods?’

‘Yes, Mr Afton.’

He turned and bumped into Rose. ‘Mr Afton, are the dogs going with them, or staying here?’ she asked. ‘If they’re going, you know they have to have separate tickets?’

Afton shook his head. ‘I don’t know. I didn’t ask.’ He hurried indoors and found Mrs Webster standing like a monument in Piccadilly, where she could keep an eye on everyone at once.

‘You look harried, Mr Afton,’ she said.

‘I forgot to ask his lordship if they’re taking the dogs.’

‘They’re not,’ she said. ‘Since Mr Richard is staying, it was thought better to spare them that long train journey.’

‘Oh. Thank you. How did you know?’

‘Mabel overheard them discussing it when she was tending the fire.’ She eyed him closely. ‘If you’ll forgive me, you’re looking rather worn, Mr Afton. Are you quite well?’

‘Just tired,’ Afton said. ‘It’s been a busy few weeks, with all the house parties.’