Page 2 of The Affairs of Ashmore Castle

‘Her ladyship is accustomed to visit there every year, for six weeks or so,’ Moss said. ‘Can I assist you to some kedgeree, Miss Taylor?’

‘No, thank you,’ said Miss Taylor firmly. ‘That haddock was definitely off. I smelt it when I came past the kitchen this morning.’

‘But it’s the same as they’re having upstairs,’ Moss said, shocked. ‘Nobody complained in the dining-room.’

‘Did anyone try it in the dining-room?’

‘Her ladyship had some. And Lady Cordwell had two servings.’

Speen, Mr Richard’s valet, laughed. ‘That’s no guarantee. They’d eat dung if you put it on a plate in front of them.’

Miss Taylor said, ‘I would not express myself with such vulgarity, Mr Speen, but in essence you’re right. The quality of food is a matter of indifference to my lady and Lady Cordwell. It has always been a matter of regret to me. But it doesn’t alter the fact that the haddock is off and no amount of curry powder will disguise it. What’s in the other dish?’

Moss lifted the lid. ‘Fried ham,’ he said.

Miss Taylor recoiled. ‘Fried in the fish pan, by the smell of it. I’ll just have to make do with bread this morning. That drunken fool in the kitchen gets no better, Mrs Webster.’

‘Nothing I can do about it,’ Mrs Webster said shortly. ‘You’ll have to speak to your mistress about replacing her.’

‘I shall do no such thing,’ Miss Taylor said indignantly. ‘That is not my job. If you would have the kindness to pass me the marmalade . . .’

‘Gooseberry jam,’ Mrs Webster corrected. ‘Marmalade’s all finished, bar what I’ve kept back for upstairs.’

‘Well! This house goes from bad to worse—’

Rose had tired of the conversation. ‘What is this wonderful news you’ve heard?’ she asked Ellen impatiently.

Ellen hastily swallowed the wad of bread with which she was subduing the first agonies of hunger, and said importantly, ‘Her ladyship’s going to Germany next week and she’s taking Lady Rachel with her!’

Daisy, the housemaid who looked after the young ladies, said, ‘First I’ve heard about it. Did you know, Miss Taylor?’

Miss Taylor was saved from answering by Rose, who said, ‘That can’t be right. I thought her ladyship wasn’t going at all this year. It’s supposed to be Lady Rachel’s come-out this season. If they go to Germany, it won’t leave time to arrange everything.’

‘They won’t be bringing her out this year,’ said Ellen. ‘Her ladyship said Lady Rachel’s very young for her age, and it won’t hurt to wait a year. She’ll meet lots of people in Germany and get more confidence and show up all the better next year.’

Miss Hatto, Kitty’s maid, who listened to everything but rarely spoke, said, ‘Perhaps she’s noticed that Lady Rachel’s been out of spirits lately.’

‘What do you mean?’ said Daisy. ‘She’s all right. She’s always been the quiet one of the two, but she’s not ill.’

‘I don’t say ill – just not her usual self,’ said Miss Hatto.

‘Maybe she’s in love,’ Speen suggested in a ribald tone. He could make pass the sugar sound like an indecent proposition.

‘But whoever could she be in love with?’ Daisy said. ‘They never go anywhere. Anyway, I’d know if that was it. She’d tell me.’

Rose gave her a scornful look. She didn’t think either of the girls would open their hearts to Daisy, who was an inveterate gossip. And not a good maid, either – lazy and self-centred. ‘What I don’t understand,’ she said, ‘is why we didn’t know about this. Lady Linda would’ve said something to me if she’d known. She was saying only yesterday that it looked as though she’d have to go home next week, but if her ladyship was going to Germany, she’d be expecting to stay and be hostess.’

‘But his lordship’s got a wife,’ said Tilda ‘She’s the hostess, surely.’

‘That wouldn’t stop Lady Linda,’ said Rose. ‘She’d say her young ladyship’s condition means she shouldn’t exert herself. Did her ladyship really say nothing to you, Miss Taylor?’

‘My observation,’ said Moss, feeling a little authority was needed, ‘was that the announcement took everyone by surprise. Lady Cordwell, indeed, looked quite put out.’

‘She would do. It’s never occurred to her all these years to ask to go to Germany,’ said Rose. ‘She’ll be wondering what she’s missed.’

‘But if Lady Rachel isn’t out, how can she meet people over there?’ Miss Hatto asked.

‘His lordship asked the same question. Her ladyship said it wouldn’t signify in German society,’ said Moss. ‘She also mentioned that the Grand Duke of Hesse would be at Dramstadt with a large party, and that everyone from the Wachturm would naturally be invited to their entertainments. That would be a great thing for Lady Rachel.’