The Bastard (Darling #2) [complete]

Chapter Sixteen

" I  W I L L  be certain to inform you if I hear of anything from the rest of the staff," Ruby promised Louelle as she combed through her lady's long, freshly trimmed locks.

It had gone on for far too long without Louelle having a trim, and after far too long of Ruby complaining, Louelle finally allowed the lady in waiting to go at her head with shears. She would admit that her hair looked healthier, and she would admit that she'd gone on a lot longer than usual without a proper trim. Her excuse was that there was too much going on in the last several months to care about her hair. Between the arrangement, her relationship with Thatcher, and then falling pregnant, a hair trim was not a priority to her. When she had told this to her dear friend Ruby, she'd gotten a stern scolding that reminded her that she was important, too - she needed to take time for herself.

Or else, she'd go mad.

And technically, she was already going mad.

Louelle had not heard anything all day regarding Thatcher's conversation with King james. She saw him at all three meals that day, which meant he was still alive and well. So, she could suspect it did go well. She had also not heard anything from Maryann after she fled the sewing room in a haste to choose carnations for their wedding. Of course, she had also seen Maryann at all three meals that day, but she did not have an opportunity to speak with her sister.

She only wished to hear of how their plan was succeeding (or failing), and not knowing was driving her mad.

Insanely mad.

She had asked Dane on one of their daily walks after lunch if he'd heard of anything - since it seemed he was aware of everything, anyway - but he admitted he hadn't heard a word either. Upon noticing her anxiously biting her nails over the state of things, he reassured her if there was bad news, they all would have been alerted immediately. Although it should have helped put her mind at ease, it didn't. She still felt uneasy. But that could have just been the pregnancy.

She tried to blame it on that, anyhow.

Because no one had told her a thing all day, she vented to Ruby as she trimmed and combed her hair in preparation for bed. Ruby, much like Dane, had mentioned if something went awry, everyone would have been made aware promptly.

And then, Louelle came up with her own plan. She was not going to stray away from the original outline, but she new they needed more eyes on the inside. Ruby was as quiet as a mouse. No one paid her a second glance, as sad as it was. If she could eavesdrop without making her presence known, perhaps she could have overheard something Mister Albernathy was not aware of.

So, Louelle recruited Ruby.

And Ruby, of course, obliged.

The lady in waiting braided her ladies hair so it would not be very tangled the next morning when they prepared for the day ahead. As she was finishing, a knock was lightly placed on Louelle's bedroom door.