The Winds Of Fortune Episode 19
Norah scrubbed the stain on Miss Violet’s dress with ferocity.
It was warmer today, but dull, wet and rainy.
Outside, the wind buffeted the bare branches and created ripples on the surface of the pond.
The servants’ quarters felt chill and bleak, except for the kitchen, which was always too hot and stuffy.
Norah hadn’t been sleeping well for several nights and was finding it hard to maintain her usual calm and patient temper.
She thumped the dress back under the soap suds and sighed.
However hard she worked, she could not prevent her thoughts from dwelling on her brother.
It was three days until she could visit him, but what sort of condition would he be in?
She shuddered and lifted him in prayer once again.
“Are you all right, Norah?” Betsy looked at her friend as she laboured over the dirty garment.
“I’ll be fine.”
Norah raised her chin with determination. She needed to stay strong to help Joe.
Betsy nodded. She had given up lamenting in recent days and merely trudged around with a woebegone expression.
Norah wasn’t sure that this was much better, but at least the girl was trying to get a grip on herself.
“It’s no good.” She frowned at the stubborn mark. “I shall have to leave this to soak a while longer.
“I’ll polish them candlesticks that Mrs Northaven was on about.”
“Right you are, Norah.” Betsy nodded.
Norah wiped her hands and made her way upstairs towards the dining-room.
Her mistress had noticed smudges on the silverware and wouldn’t be pleased if they weren’t removed before dinner.
Norah opened the door, stepped inside and froze.
There, framed by the French windows, stood Miss Violet in an embrace with Mr Alfred Maseley, who was kissing her!
Norah was horrified.
“I beg pardon,” she muttered, then left the room as swiftly as possible.
The pair had looked up as she entered.
Mr Maseley had merely grinned.
Miss Violet had had the grace to blush and step away from him as if stung.
What would her parents say if they found out? Norah shuddered to think.
She’d gone too far this time. Even Mrs Northaven would be appalled by her daughter’s behaviour.
What if the silly girl ruined her reputation?
Norah staggered back along the hallway and collided with Master Harry.
“Are you all right, Norah?”
“Yes, sir. I’m sorry, sir.”
“No harm done.”
He smiled at her, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes and he looked worried.
“Are you all right, sir?” Norah returned the question.
“Yes, thank you, Norah. At least, I shall be.” He frowned and marched off down the corridor, apparently lost in thought.
Norah stood, watching his receding back, and wondered what was wrong.
She suspected that he also was suffering from affairs of the heart.
He had just returned from an assignation with Miss Daisy Waddage, but he certainly didn’t look like a happy lover.
She shook her head. Master Harry was getting himself into a pickle, if she wasn’t much mistaken, and she didn’t think she was.
What else could go wrong?
She made her way back downstairs with a heavy heart.
Master Harry must sort out his own problems. There was nothing that the likes of her could do.
As for Miss Violet – that was a dilemma, but she could hardly interfere there, either.
“Norah, you look like you nearly got hit by one of them automobiles!”
Norah stared at Betsy and, for a moment, considered taking her into her confidence, but decided against it.
She wasn’t sure Betsy could hold her tongue.
“You were quick. You already done that polishing?”
She shook her head.
“The room were in use.”
“Oh, well. Maybe I can do it later. I’ve almost finished in here.”
“Thank you, Betsy.” Norah smiled.
“What you gonna do on your half day?” Betsy asked with a touch of anxiety.
“I’m gonna visit Joe and hope he ain’t too bad. I’ll take him food and medicine.”
“Oh, I wish I could go with you, Norah.”
Norah was touched by Betsy’s concern, but secretly she was glad to be able to go alone.
She didn’t think Joe would want Betsy to see him in jail, and she’d no idea how ill he would be.
Still, it wouldn’t do to dwell on that.
She turned back to her friend.
“I’m gonna visit Ma as well,” Norah replied. “She might be able to tell me more than our Davie did.
“Then I’ll send a couple of my brothers to make enquiries at the Swan, if I can. We gotta clear Joe’s name. It’s the only thing that’ll help him.”
Betsy nodded.
“You’re very clever, Norah. Joe’s lucky to ’ave a sister like you.”
Norah smiled. It wasn’t much, but it made her feel a little better.
Betsy was a good girl and she was glad to have her around.
Norah would need all the support she could get if she was going to get through the next few weeks.
She was sure Master Harry was in love with Miss Pearl, Miss Violet’s relationship with Mr Maseley was going to end in tears, and things with Joe were getting desperate.
What a to-do!
To be continued…