Dilly Court - The Swan Maid

Lottie launched into an explanation as to how she had come to know Lieutenant Gillingham, and how they had met again at the Middlesex Hospital. Aurelia was a good listener and she seemed genuinely interested.

‘I’ve finished, my lady,’ Lottie said, fastening the last curl with a hairpin. ‘Is it satisfactory?’

Aurelia turned her head from side to side, examining her reflection from as many angles as possible. ‘More than satisfactory, Lottie. You have a natural gift for dressing hair. My maid could not have done better.’

‘I’m so glad you’re happy with it, my lady.’

Aurelia twisted round on the stool. ‘You know you’re wasted in a place like this. I’m not certain about nursing as a career, but I would gladly take you on as lady’s maid. You’re quick and intelligent and you’d pick it up easily.’

‘I hadn’t even considered that prospect, my lady, but I would like to do something for the brave men who risk their lives to keep us all safe.’

‘I applaud your sentiments, but you’ll forgive me if I don’t share your romantic notions of war and the battlefield. It’s a beastly business, Lottie.’

‘But you married a soldier, my lady.’

‘My family, the de Morgans, have a long military history. My father, being the second son, naturally went into the army, but when his elder brother succumbed to typhus, Papa inherited the earldom. I knew what I was letting myself in for when I married Dashwood, but it’s not the life for everyone.’ She rose from the stool. ‘I like you, Lottie, and I am in dire need of a maidservant. Unfortunately, Merriweather, who has been with me since I was a child, is not in the best of health and I think her days of following the drum are coming to an end. Would you be interested in taking her place?’

‘Taking her place, my lady?’ Lottie stared at her in disbelief. ‘Are you offering me the position?’

Aurelia gave her a long look. ‘Yes, I am. But you needn’t give me an answer at this very moment. Think about it tonight, and if you decide to throw your lot in with me, be ready first thing in the morning.’

‘Thank you, my lady.’ Dazed and taken by surprise, Lottie could hardly believe her ears, but Aurelia had picked up her fan and was heading for the door.

‘I’ll need you to show me to the dining room, Lottie. I’m hungry and I intend to eat my fill, as I always do before we embark on a campaign.’

Lottie rushed to open the door for her. ‘Are you planning to accompany your husband, my lady?’

‘It goes without saying. I believe an army wife should support her husband, no matter what. We’ll be leaving for the Crimea as soon as the order is given.’ She stepped outside, pausing for a moment to glance over the balustrade. ‘You would travel with me, of course.’

‘Do you mean to say that I would be going to the Crimea?’

Aurelia shot her an amused glance. ‘I thought that was what you wanted.’

‘It was – I mean – it is.’

‘Then you accept my offer?’

‘I do, my lady. Yes, indeed I do.’

Aurelia clapped her hands, her eyes shining with delight. ‘I am so pleased. I took to you at once, Lottie, and I know we will get on very well together. I’m not a demanding mistress, although I do like to have everything my own way.’ Her cheeks dimpled prettily and her laughter echoed round the gallery, returning again and again in a merry chorus. ‘You will dine with us tonight to celebrate.’

‘Oh, no, my lady,’ Lottie protested, horrified at the thought. ‘That wouldn’t do at all. What would Mrs Filby say?’

‘Mrs Filby will do as I tell her, and you are now my personal maid and nothing to do with Mr or Mrs Filby. I have appropriated you, Lottie. Lead on.’

Lottie was not at all sure that this was a good idea. The thought of sitting in the dining room together with the other guests and travellers was alien to her. She could barely imagine how it must feel to be waited upon, let alone to have Mrs Filby, Ruth and May at her beck and call. But Aurelia had spoken, and Lottie was coming to the conclusion that Lady Aurelia Dashwood was unused to having her wishes thwarted. She led the way to the dining room where Gillingham was already seated at a table by the window.

He rose to his feet and pulled up a chair. ‘Lady Aurelia, I wondered whether you would be joining me.’

‘Of course I am, Farrell, and so is Lottie.’ Aurelia laughed at his dumbfounded expression. ‘She has agreed to be my personal maid. Merriweather is too old and unwell to accompany me to the Crimea, and it seems that it’s Lottie’s ambition to go there, so we are all happy.’

‘Begging your pardon, my lady.’ Mrs Filby had come up behind them, and she was bristling. Lottie would not have been surprised to see the hairs standing to attention on her head like the hackles on a dog’s back.

‘Yes? What is it?’

Mrs Filby seemed oblivious to Aurelia’s icy tone and haughty stare. ‘Did I hear right, ma’am? You cannot take my servant without a by-your-leave.’

‘Can I not?’ Aurelia threw back her head and laughed. ‘But I can, and I will. Lottie is not your property, and she is free to do as she pleases.’

Breathing heavily, Mrs Filby folded her arms across her chest. ‘We’ll see about that, your ladyship. Wait until Filby hears about this.’

Gillingham glared at her. ‘You do not speak to Colonel Dashwood’s wife in that tone of voice, ma’am. Lady Aurelia has explained the situation and you would do well to accept it with good grace. As far as I can see, you treat your staff abominably, and I’m surprised that any of them remain in your employ.’

‘Well!’ The word escaped in an explosion of indignation. ‘I’ve never been spoken to like that in my whole life.’

‘Then perhaps it’s time someone put you in your place.’ Aurelia sat down and signalled Lottie to follow suit. ‘If you do not wish to serve us, please send someone who will.’

Mrs Filby cast a withering look in Lottie’s direction and stomped off towards the kitchen.

Moments later May arrived at their table with a tureen of beef stew, followed by Ruth with a platter of bread and a dish of butter. Lottie was about to jump to her feet to serve the stew, but a frown from Aurelia made her sink back on her chair. She sent an apologetic look to Ruth, who served them, tight-lipped and unsmiling.

‘Well then, Lottie,’ Gillingham said cheerfully. ‘So you’re to get your wish after all. You’ll be accompanying us when we embark for the Crimea.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Lottie waited for Lady Aurelia to start eating before picking up her spoon. For the first time in her life she was grateful for the strict rules of etiquette that had been drummed into her at school. At least she would not disgrace herself at table. She knew she was being scrutinised and she concentrated on her meal, barely tasting Jezebel’s excellent stew.

Gillingham and Aurelia chatted amicably throughout the meal, and to Lottie’s relief she was not expected to contribute to the conversation. She could feel Mrs Filby’s eyes upon her and the curious stares of the other diners, but eventually the tables were cleared, and Mrs Filby was called away. Even so, Lottie was relieved when Lady Aurelia announced that she was going to retire to her room. They left Gillingham to his brandy and cigar, with Ruth hovering in the background, waiting to make the tables ready for breakfast next morning.

‘You did well tonight,’ Aurelia said as Lottie brushed her hair. ‘You have a natural desire to look after people, and you’ll make an excellent maid. I’m pleased with you already.’ She shook her long golden hair so that it spread about her shoulders like a cloak. ‘I can put myself to bed. I’m not entirely helpless, and you look tired. We need to be up early, so I want hot water and a cup of chocolate at six o’clock on the dot. Good night, Lottie.’