Black Road to Heaven

Chapter 16: Freda

‘Pull yourself together Freda!’ I tell myself whilst nervously counting the loud chimes. It was now four of the clock, there was just one hour until the negro; sorry, Emily, was due to arrive back from her first trip to Baker Street under my command. I really did hope she had found something out, however small it may be.

I sighed, what could I possibly do to occupy me for an hour? My mind was not tuned enough for reading or sewing; I should go for a short walk, just outside of the grounds.

Just as I stood up to go and fetch my fur shawl, Anna entered the room telling me, “M’Lady, Lady Catherine Beaumont and her son here to see you.”

I beamed, just the person I should like to speak to. “Show her in Anna,” I said, and she curtsied and scuttled away. She had a very unattractive, insect-like walk.

Catherine and Joseph entered the room a few moments later, and as they sat down, Catherine bid Joseph to go and play in the corner whilst the grow-ups talked.

“But Mother, you bid me play, but with what? There are no toys, for there are no children in this house!” Joseph said, whilst wringing his hands through his Mother’s dress.

Catherine looked at me with a small smile in her eyes. “Well Freda, that be a good point! Are there any children here? Any certain ... dress maid children?”

“Oh Mother!” Whined Joseph, “Auntie Freda, have you anything for me to do?”

“I am afraid not my dear, unless you would like to play with the old spinning top I have on the shelf?” I suggested.

“Yes alright, thank you,” he said politely and Catherina kissed him on the forehead. “Mother! Now I have your lip pain all over my face!”

Catherine and I laughed as I passed him the spinning top.

“So, is there a child in the house Freda?” Catherine asked me.

Joseph stood up and asked excitedly, “Oh Auntie Freda, is there a baby inside your stomach?”

Catherina and I began laughing again; only calming down when we saw her son’s red, angry face.

“”No there is not Joseph darling,” I told him, and then addressing his mother, I said, “There is a child in the house, but she is not a dress maid.”

Catherine stared at me, and then asked, “Really? Why is she on the grounds then? Freda, I cannot believe you actually went through with it!”

“Nor can I dear. I decided not to do something so obviously outrageous, but something more slyly and subtly so. I hired her as what I like to tactfully called my ‘extra pair of eyes’.” I said.

“You have not hired her to follow Charles around have you dear?” Catherine sounded worried.

“Well, not follow exactly, but what if she happened to see him perchance? It could do no harm to linger and ask some questions could it?” I said.

“Oh you have not! Darling, Charles will murder you if he finds out! And who is going to let a negro peasant linger around them, ask them questions, or even let her near them? What could she possibly discover that you do not already know?” Catherine asked harshly at first, but seeing my face drop, she softened her tone.

I sighed, knowing that she was right, as much as I hated it. “I know, I have thought about that also darling, but I have to do something! I am going mad just sitting around, knowing that my house may be taken from under me at any point!”

“But surely it will be worse if she does find something out, suppose you have no money left at all? How can you trust this girl? She may tell the other servants who will tell other households’ staff, and then before you know it, the Carson’s will know about Charles’s ‘business schemes’...”

I felt my whole body turn deathly white as I imagined the shame of my whole society (especially the Carson’s) knowing about us. Catherine stood up and flung her arms around me and even little Joseph came to clutch at my skirts.

“What are you to do?” Catherine asked me, but I just sat silently shaking. “Well, what sort of girl is she? Doth she have an honest face?”

I nodded, “Yes she does, and she seems intelligent too. Not in literature or arithmetic of course, but in wit. One does not think she seems of the deceitful type, but then one never doth know.”

“What are you to do?” Catherine repeated for the second time, unwrapping me from her arms. “Will you dismiss her?”

I thought for a second and then said, “No, I shall keep her on until I have reason to suspect I should not. In the mean time, one shall give her a firm talking to about loyalty to one.”

Catherine looked at me dubiously, “Are you sure, by the time you have reason to suspect as you say, it may be too late.”

“I am sure,” I said firmly, not sure why I was sure though.

“If you trust her then I suppose that should be efficient enough. How are you and Charles doing now my dear?”

I stifled a small smile, “Much better as of last night. He promised me that he would never gamble again, and that he would begin to treat me like I deserve, like a Lady should be treated by her husband.”

Catherine’s eyes widened, “Was he drunk?” She laughed.

I shook my head, “Stone cold sober, he took me to bed afterwards!” My eyes shone.

My friend squealed, “Do keep your voice down!” She said looking at her small son. “But how exciting, I do hope things are picking up for the both of you! I do hate to see you so upset Freda darling!”

I smiled, “I was thinking about holding a ball, would you help me prepare? I know Isabelle Holland was meant to be hosting one next week but she has been taken ill.”

“How thrilling; I have not been to a ball for an age! How sad about Isabelle however, we must go and see her one day in the week. When are you holding the ball?” Catherine asked me.

“The same night that Isabelle was going to hold hers.” I said.

“But darling, that only gives us just under a week to prepare!”

“Yes, but guess who is attending?” I asked her, hoping this would make her more enthusiastic.

“Who?”

“Thomas Augustine!” I squealed. He was the most eligible bachelor that all women were talking about, and despite us both being married ourselves, his appearance would cause quite a stir.

After thoroughly regaining Catherine’s interest and speaking about the ball for a while longer, Joseph began to get restless so Catherine stood up to take her leave.

Just as we were bidding each other goodbye, Ella entered. She curtsied lowly and then said, “I am so sorry to bother you, but I did not know whether to send Emily in now?” Then she realised the presence of Catherine and clapped her hands to her mouth.

“’Tis alright child, Lady Catherine knows everything. Yes, send her in now; my guests were just leaving anyway.” I said.