The Charlotte Series: Book 3: The Pretender's Gold

SECTION III-EM 08

Note: The book is not missing a chapter. Chapter 07 was a duplicate and I didn't want to renumber the rest of the chapters.

Chapter 8

Dovesdale Manor near Newcastle Upon Tyne, England 1878

"Nonsense Imogene. You and I have been best friends since that day all those years ago when I attended the holiday party here at Dovesdale during my first season. Heavens! That was the weekend Lord Bentfield proposed...But I digress." Lady Bentfield waived her hand dismissively, "What sort of friend would I be if I did not do this for my dear friend."

"But my lady..."

"My lady my squeaky corset!" her voice rose to a very un-ladylike volume before she softened it just a mite. "We are friends are we not?"

Imogene Windes smiled demurely as any proper lady's maid would and merely nodded her agreement.

"You will call me Abilene." Lady Bentfield pronounced with a nod.

"You know I cannot," Imogene smiled warmly allowing the great affection she felt for her friend to shine in her eyes as she added: "my lady."

Imogene and Abilene shared a laugh, just the way they always had.

"Mama?" Emmaline peeked around the door to see the Viscountess seated next to her mother's bed. Imogene was propped up in bed looking better than she had in months.

"I am fine my girl." Imogene smiled. "Lady Bentfield was paying a visit. She has retired me to this cottage. See. There is the deed. It is mine now. And there will be a pension too."

"Thank you!" Em clapped her hands and beamed.

Em knew this would go far to ease her mother's mind as to Em's situation after...

Em let the thought drop and then, because she suddenly remembered who Aunt Abby was, she dropped a quick curtsy and added sweetly: "Your Ladyship."

"Emmaline Maria Windes!" Abilene chuckled. "That will be quite enough of that formality. Come and give me a hug child, the way you used to when you were little and I told cook to let you have an extra treat."

With a chuckle Em complied and let the happy tears fall freely as she felt the older woman's arms slip around her. Lady Bentfield had always treated her like a daughter. Poor Lady Bentfield had only a son. As children she and Freddie were great friends, but now his arrogance was matched only by his incredible rudeness and...

Em's heart ached. It was though his lordship was trying to make her hate him. When Freddie became Viscount, her childhood friend became a man beyond redemption. Thankfully he decided that he would prefer London and the continent to his country estate so she and Aunt Abby lived in peace for the most part.

"I've come to tell you both that I shall be leaving soon. I am going to America. I want to see the world before I pop off."

Em laughed. Aunt Abby would likely live forever.

But then, Em always thought that Mama would live forever too. Sadly, it was not to be.

On his last visit the doctor suggested she should write her brother. Mama's heart was just plum tuckered out and she was not much longer for this world. Em turned to give her mother a loving smile.

"I suppose I should help you pack." Em said softly.

"No need for that child." Abilene smiled. "I have the maids for that."

Aunt Abby sighed and looked with such fondness and affection at Imogene that Em felt tears prickle.

"I shall miss you both very much. You, my lovely child, have been like a daughter to me. I have known you your whole life, from the very moment your dear mama told me you were to be born! I am only sorry that I shall not be able to bring you with me on this trip."