it is better than being cooped up in their cabin waiting for Sunday.”
Florence nodded and checked her notebook. “I also wanted to talk to you about Mrs Nesbit. It’s her birthday tomorrow, and although she’s just our cook, I thought it might be nice if we had a little ceremony at midday and perhaps a cake or something?”
“Yes, we should mark the day for her. She has been diligently trying to keep her drinking under control. So we can use this as a reward, too.” Nicola opened her diary and turned to tomorrow’s date. “I have an appointment in the morning, but midday is free. Can you organise it?”
“Consider it done.”
The small clock on the mantelpiece above the fire struck five o’clock. Nicola closed her books. “I have to start getting ready for tonight. Where is that silly maid?”
“Likely sitting by the kitchen range with her feet up, eating cook’s food for your dinner party.” Florence stood and tucked her notebook under her arm. “I’ll go stir her up a bit.”
“I ordered a bath. I want to wash my hair for tonight.”
“You go on up, Miss Douglas. I’ll see that your bath is prepared.”
Nicola walked around the desk and softly squeezed Florence’s arm. “What would I do without you?”
“I believe it’s the other way around.” Florence scoffed with a grin. “I’m just glad Mr West is allowing you to continue working here after your marriage. We’d be lost without you.”
“Mr West had no choice in the matter.” She laughed, heading out the door.
Crossing the hall, she entered the dining room, which shimmered with golden light spilling from numerous candelabras and the odd lamp. Nicola inspected the tablecloth for marks and adjusted some of the place settings. A large glass vase sat in the middle of the table filled with wild flowers. All was in order and Nicola sighed with relief. This small dinner party to formally announce her engagement to Nathaniel meant a lot to her and she wanted it to be perfect. Even though Nathaniel had wanted to be married as quickly as possible they agreed it wouldn’t be feasible and had set the date for February twenty-fifth.
Going upstairs, she pondered on the last few weeks since she agreed to be Nathaniel’s wife. Each day he had arrived to spend time with her, sometimes bringing Frances, sometimes alone. The change in him surprised her. Gone were the quelling looks and challenging words that she associated with him on first acquaintance. Now his whole manner spoke of his love, his happiness, and she felt empowered by the knowledge that she brought him this joy. Making another person so happy was addictive. That Frances was also incredibly excited helped smooth Nicola’s small doubts that she was doing the right thing. Despite Nathaniel’s assurances that he’d never look at another woman again, she couldn’t completely forget his past.
“Miss Douglas.”
Turning at her bedroom door, Nicola smiled at Miss Rogers, who peeked out from her room. “Yes, Penny?”
“May I have a word, please?”
“Is something wrong?”
Miss Rogers inched forward, glancing up and down the hallway, as though fearful of someone overhearing. “I would like to ask a favour, if I may?”
“Oh?”
“I received word of a ship sailing for Africa. It leaves on the outgoing tide tonight. I’ve managed, only this morning, to secure a passage on her.”
“Really?” Nicola’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you certain this is what you want to do?”
“Completely certain. I need to begin again somewhere new, where my past isn’t known.”
“I understand.” Though she couldn’t help feeling sorry for the woman, she did wonder how she could easily walk away from her child, a child she’d never seen or held.
“I beg that you allow me to leave without fuss and ceremony. I want no one to know.”
“But—”
“Please, Miss Douglas. I ask you to do this one last thing for me. I know I cannot expect more from you. You’ve done so much already.”
“Penny, I—” Nicola broke off as Miss Shaw left her bedroom and came towards them, holding aloft a book.
“Oh Miss Douglas, Miss Rogers, I have just finished a most marvellous book. It’s…” Miss Shaw faltered on seeing the seriousness of their faces. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to intrude.”
“It is nothing, Miss Shaw.” Nicola smiled. “I’d be delighted to hear about your book later, if you will tell me.”
Nodding and ducking her head, Miss Shaw scuttled past them towards the stairs.
Penny stepped back into the shadows of her room. “I cannot stay here another day and suffer the pity