Gun Brooke UBER CROSSOVER Advent Calendar 2014
Star Trek Voyager – The Devil Wears Prada – The Closer
Christmas at Dragonwolde
Yorkshire, England, 1882
Part 3
Patricia thundered down the stairs, her big paws hitting the surface like a base drum. She knew if she turned at the foot of the staircase and followed the scent; the woman in charge in the kitchen would take pity on her. Patricia had perfected the use of her droopy eyes and knew how to look starving, even if she just ate. Right now she was starving and the idea of obtaining some leftovers truly excited her.
As she passed a door on the way to the kitchen, something she normally would have ignored, she had to slow her pace. In there, two of the women occupying the house, stood oddly pressed against the wall. The one with the low, stern voice; Patricia's mum called her Miranda, held on to the friendly girl that smelled so good, Andrea. Curious at what game they may be indulging in, Patricia stopped and poked her head inside.
"I thought we agreed to take it slow," the Miranda-human said, sounding as if she had been running.
"We are." The wonderfully scented girl said. "Or as slow as I'm able."
The two women pressed their mouths together and from Patricia's standpoint, it looked as if they were licking each other. Odd. Patricia had never observed her mum doing that. She constantly tried to tell Patricia to stop this habit.
"I think we have an audience," Andrea said, chuckling.
Miranda glared at Patricia who backed up a few steps. "So we do," she said.
Patricia wasn't sure how she knew this, but it was time to resume her trip to the kitchen. If those two were going to do more face-licking, she wasn't going to stay and no doubt get blamed when her mum found out.
xxx-xxx
"Kathryn! Finally. I thought we would have to have to bring out the skis and continue on foot so to speak." Nigel Kipling strode through the hallway and embraced Kathryn. "So good to see you, my dear."
"Nigel." Kathryn kissed his cheek. "It's been far too long. Where's Sharon? Don't tell me you left her to fend for herself getting through the snow? We've had Mr. Neelix shoveling continuously, but the way it's coming down—"
"No, no. She's right behind me." Nigel turned around the look on his face was comical as his sister wasn't there. "What in the world?"
They hurried to the door and now Miranda and Brenda Leigh had joined them, followed by Patricia.
"Don't fuss, Nigel," a pleasant, husky voice said and Sharon Raydor stepped inside, shaking off her cape. "You left me to carry some of the bags. No wonder it takes longer for me to maneuver through the snow." She removed her cape and turned to Kathryn.
"Lovely to see you again, my dear. Thank you for including me." She didn't say it out loud, but Kathryn knew this woman had been more or less ostracized among her peers after her divorce. Her former husband, a gambler and a drunken bully, had made Sharon's life a living hell for many years. When both of their children were grown up and moved to live in France, Sharon had filed for a divorce, and though it had been an arduous, expensive process, she had finally been free of the cruel man she been misfortunate to marry. This had been somewhat of a scandal as Michael Raydor was a respected navy captain, stemming from a long line of naval officers.
"You're always welcome, Sharon, every bit as much as Nigel. In fact more, as you have better manners." Kathryn winked at the two of them, wanting to lighten the mood. She knew Sharon had suffered from the cold shoulders former friends had given her and wished for everyone's stay at Dragonwolde to be relaxing and fun. Turning, she motioned for Miranda and Brenda Leigh to approach. Miranda greeted Sharon and Nigel politely, but to Kathryn's astonishment, Brenda stood as rooted, staring at Sharon with darkening eyes.
Sharon in turn rounded Kathryn to greet Brenda and stopped so suddenly, her boots made a grinding sound against the stone floor. "Ms. Johnson." Sharon's voice sank an octave and she placed her hands on her back as if keeping them out of reach.
"You." Brenda could clearly not even remain polite. "I had no idea."
"Neither had I."
"I take it you've met before?" Miranda drawled.
"Whatever gave you that idea?" Brenda muttered.
"I'm sorry, Kathryn, for this bad behavior on both our parts," Sharon said. She looked as regal as Miranda as she turned, smoothing her dark-chocolate hair down at the temples. "Brenda Leigh and I have met before, during unfavorable circumstances, but I'm sure we can both disregard that." She sent Brenda a pointed look.
"Nobody has to lecture me how to behave, Ms. Raydor." Brenda spoke through her teeth. "Kathryn knows me well enough to realize this."
"Why don't we go in to Andrea and the twins before these two comes to blows?" Miranda motioned for everyone to go into the drawing room. I believe Emily has persuaded Madam Serena to actually join us for tea. Let's not miss this opportunity to finally get to know this enigmatic person you employ, Kathryn."
They moved to follow Miranda and Kathryn took up the rear, wondering how in the world Brenda and Sharon had met and what might have transpired to make two such amicable women loathe each other so. Or was it loathing? From Kathryn's point of view, there seemed to linger a lot of hurt as well.
As she was about to walk through the door to the drawing room, someone caught up with her. Kathryn stopped and turned around, which obviously the person behind hadn't counted on. Annika walked right into Kathryn began to sway. Gripping her by the waist, Annika moved her to the side, out of sight of the others.
"I am so sorry. Are you unharmed?" Annika gazed down at Kathryn.
"I am. Just lost my balance there for a moment." Kathryn found it hard to breathe as Annika was still holding on to her. Towering over Kathryn, Annika wore her blond hair in an austere twist and as usual dressed in a sleek, black dress. It was difficult to imagine this woman ever putting on a bustle, or subject herself to other torturous items of fashion. Instead, Annika, who now stood so close to Kathryn, she could feel her warmth, moved with the lethal agility of a feline predator.
"You are staring at me," Annika murmured. "And frequently. Am I that confusing, or perhaps disconcerting?"
"Not at all," Kathryn said hurriedly. "If I stare it's because you're beautiful." She saw Annika's eyebrows go up. Realizing what she just said, Kathryn came close to slapping a hand over her uncensored mouth.
"Thank you." Annika smiled faintly, a mere tugging of one corner of her mouth. "Since you are this candid, it is only appropriate for me to return the compliment. You are indeed the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." She kept her gentle grip of Kathryn, but she really didn't have to as Kathryn was completely held captive by Annika's sky-blue eyes and the rare smile.
Finally, Annika let go and walked into the drawing room. Kathryn fell back against the wall, gasping for air. For how long had she held her breath? Her neck felt damp beneath her low bun and the high collar of her dress. This was the last piece of evidence of the amount of trouble she was in. How would she be able to act casually around Annika when all she wanted was to unravel that pinned up blond hair and capture those full lips?
Walking into the drawing room, she donned a polite smile. She could manage it, right? Kathryn only had to watch Miranda raise her eyebrows and glance first at Kathryn and then at Annika, to know.
Oh, damn.
XXXXXXXXXX
Miranda enjoyed the flustered expression on Kathryn's face as her friend took her seat around the fireplace. She couldn't say that Annika blushed exactly, but she knew her first assistant well enough to know she wasn't unaffected regarding whatever had taken place in the hallway.
Andy and the twins sat next to Miranda on large cushions on the floor, several blankets tucked in around them. They had been playing a board game, but now the girls had curled up around a photo album. Andy leaned her back against Miranda's chair, her arm touching Miranda's legs through her skirt and petticoats.
The mood had altered considerably when Sharon and Brenda chose armchairs opposite of each other. Miranda figured it was a mistake even if these two women wanted to sit as far apart from each other as possible. Sitting like that meant they looked right at each other. Sharon remained unreadable and collected, but Brenda was clearly fuming.
Madam Serena looked tense. She sat straight up in her chair and her back didn't touch the backrest. Emily sat next to her, and, oh this was going to be entertaining, looked at the stern Serena with glossy eyes. Emily, the one among them with the most impressive ancestry, shot Serena nervous glances every few seconds, but didn't say anything. Serena didn't return the gazes, but instead studied her laced together fingers intently. That simply wouldn't do.
Miranda surreptitiously caressed the back of Andy's head, making the young woman jump. "Madam Serena, you're a bit of a mystery. You must tell us how you came to be in Kathryn's employ—and out here in the boondocks."
Serena looked up, her eyes narrow. "I'm sorry. I don't understand this boondocks, Mrs. Priestly."
"Miranda." Miranda met Serena's eyes without wavering. "Boondocks means living remotely, away from other people." Miranda raised her coffee cup and took a life-affirming sip.
"I see." Looking displeased, but as such a question wasn't unexpected, Serena smoothed down her skirt. "I do not think it's a story our littlest ones need to be subjected too."
Miranda, who had observed how her girls had begun to nod off against each other on the floor, rose and rang for the maid who arrived promptly. "Please take the girls upstairs for a nap."
"Yes, milady." The young maid gently helped the twins to their feet and led them out of the room.
"Yes?" Miranda looked expectantly at Serena who sighed.
"I arrived in London more than ten years ago, with a Brazilian ship, the Estephânia." She stopped, looking at Kathryn, as if she required confirmation.
Kathryn smiled and nodded. "Go on, Serena. You're among friends."
"Very well." Serena let her eyes travel the semicircle around the fire. "I came to England to remove myself from a hostile situation. I had been forced into a marriage of convenience at the age of fourteen. When I was fifteen, I could no longer tolerate my husband's demands…his violations."
"Oh, God," Emily whispered and to Miranda's amazement, she reached out and placed a hand on Serena's lower arm.
"I ran away, lived on the streets of Rio de Janeiro for a few weeks until I managed to sell some jewelry. Enough for a ticket to England." Her face darkened. "London was not what I expected and I had very little money. I was fortunate to meet Kathryn before I lost all hope of a future. She had just lost her husband and was hiring more staff to help with her estates and young Andrea. For some unfathomable reason, she hired me."
"I hired you because you saved my life," Kathryn said. "You're being too modest, Serena. Had you not thwarted the attempt of the robber, I wouldn't be here today."
Andrea pressed harder against Miranda's leg and it was obvious she was trembling. Miranda bent forward, not caring one bit if anyone thought it strange. She patted Andrea's shoulder and let her hand caress her cheek as she leaned back again.
"I couldn't imagine Dragonwolde without you, Serena," Andrea whispered. "You've always been here. Or so it feels, at least."
"Thank you, Andrea. I can't imagine such a thing either," Serena said, still with her serious expression.
Miranda wondered what it would take for Serena to smile, or laugh. Perhaps the ordeal with her husband had ruined so much of her inner joy, smiling was impossible? She glanced at Emily who still kept her hand on Serena's arm.
"What happened when you were robbed?" Miranda asked. "I don't remember you telling me that story."
"It was very quick," Kathryn said. "I was leaving a restaurant after having met with a few of my peers there for a working dinner. I had ordered my driver to bring the carriage, but he'd been held up, most likely by someone who worked together with the robber. I was alone on the pavement when a man ran into me and tugged at my purse. I screamed, of course, and then he pushed a knife to my throat."
"Aunt Kathryn!" Andrea wrapped her arm around Miranda's calf under her skirt, but seemed unware at just how intimately she was clinging to her. "A knife?"
"Yes. It was frightfully large and it smelled of stale blood, which was even worse. I tried to back away from him, but he pressed me up against the wall. No one was in sight and the patrons of the restaurant obviously didn't hear me—or if they did, they didn't care." Kathryn smiled gently at Serena. "That's when Serena showed up. Like some fury, she rushed at the man, kicked him and pulled at his hair. He lost the knife and screamed worse than I did. We heard the police whistle in the distance and so did he. I daresay he took off very quickly once Serena let go of him."
"He was not a very big man." Serena shrugged. "I could easily move him as I took him by surprise. I had heard you scream for help, but I wasn't aware he held you at knifepoint, or I may have approached with more caution."
"You saved my life. That's all there is to it." Kathryn's gaze went from Serena to Annika who'd listened to the story, her eyes darkening by the minute.
"We're all in Serena's debt, then," Nigel said, sounding shaken.
"No. Kathryn has repaid me ten times over by having me manage Dragonwolde for her. I am now a free woman in charge of my own destiny." Serena looked at Emily's hand and over at the wide-eyed redhead. "So you see, Emilia, this is what you get for suggesting I join you."
"I am so glad you did," Emily murmured and blushed.
Serena hesitated and then nodded. "As am I."
Miranda had hardly been able to focus on the last part of the conversation as Andrea seemed content in holding onto her stocking clad leg and lean against her. Soon, someone might realize that Andrea's out-of-sight arm was in face somewhere it shouldn't be. Hoping her wide skirts hid most of Andrea's right side, Miranda tried to stop herself from trembling at the innocent touch.
"Andrea," she said, under her breath. "What are you doing?"
Andrea turned her head up. "Yes? What?" She moved her hand again. "Oh. Oh!"
"Oh, indeed." Miranda raised her eyebrows, knowing full well what effect that could have.
Andrea didn't disappoint. She slowly slid her hand out from Miranda's skirt and blushed the most beautiful pink as she did so. Clearing her throat, she shifted a bit, but remained where she was, tucked up against Miranda.
Miranda missed the hand around her leg as if she'd been amputated. She would just have to figure out a scenario where Andrea would have to put it back.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Caro! Over here." Hiding behind some tapestries, the slight twins had to rub their noses with a finger as they inhaled quite a bit of dust as soon as they moved. Cassidy had found the perfect hole in the worn fabric to spy on the grownups. They spoke in low voices, knowing from experience this was much stealthier than whispers.
"What?" Caroline murmured.
"Here. This is exactly what I mean." She nudged her sister toward the little rift. "See?"
Caroline moved to look and her mouth fell open, dust or no dust. In the minor drawing room on the second floor, their mother and Andrea sat together on a blue settee, holding onto each other by the hands. They spoke so quietly, Caroline only heard a few words every now and then.
"Andy…must be…or you…regret…" Mother said, looking concerned.
"…my own mind…trust me…not…child." Andrea freed one hand to cup Miranda's cheek. "Not sure…you have…another woman…"
"…won't make any…list. Suffice to say…never this…before."
Andrea smiled and looked at Mother as if she was the best person in the whole world. She leaned in and kissed Mother on the mouth, which made Caroline tug at Cassidy so she could watch. Apparently the kiss lingered since it was Cassidy's time to gape.
"What's going on?" Caroline said in a low voice right against her sister's ear.
"Mother really likes Andrea." Cassidy rubbed her nose again. "I have only ever known her to kiss us. I can't even remember her kissing Father."
"Me either." Caroline nudged Cassidy aside and put her eye against the rift again.
Mother was now embracing Andrea, holding her close. The kiss was not like any Caroline had ever witnessed. She couldn't find the right word for it, but surely anyone to be that close to someone, to allow them access to your mouth like that, their feelings had to be very strong.
xxx-xxx
"Here. This is the other secret door. Cassidy triumphantly held the tapestry in Aunt Kathryn's study aside. "I found this when you were napping and being lazy earlier. I found four of these!"
"I was tired," Caroline said, her tone ever as imperious as their mother's. "But it was a good find," she conceded. "Where does it lead?"
"There's a small corridor and it leads to three other doors. The drawing room, the conservatory, and the library. At the far end there's a stair case that looks dark and ghoulish."
"I'm not sure I like ghoulish," Caroline said, looking bothered. "But the others sound fun."
"Come on." Cassidy enjoyed being in the lead. Usually, when it came to academics and social interaction, Caroline was the one to shine. Now, when it was about adventure and being bold in a physical sense, Cassidy was the leader.
They entered behind yet another dusty tapestry, this one thicker and more luxurious. The door delivered them into the large drawing room, where upset voices made them jump and take each other by the hand. Cassidy carefully tiptoed along the narrow path created behind the tapestry and tugged at her sister to come with her to where two tapestries met and they could peek through.
Cassidy already knew it was Aunt Brenda Leigh and Mrs. Raydor who snarled at each other. She had rarely been privy to grownups fighting, at least not in this hissing, bitter manner. Cautiously, she peered through the tapestries and felt Caroline crouch next to her and do the same.
"I don't understand why we can't behave like adults and just keep up appearances for a few days." Mrs. Raydor flung her hands in the air and then they landed on her hips. "Is that too much to ask?"
"Adult? Oh, that's just wonderful. After what you did, you have the audacity to talk to me about acting as an adult?" Aunt Brenda spat the words and turned her back for a moment. This put her sort of face to face with the girls and for a heart-stopping moment, Cassidy thought her aunt saw her. Then Aunt Brenda pivoted back to face Mrs. Raydor.
"Sharon. You are now a divorced woman. You're free. Yes, you've suffered some of the backlash for obtaining that freedom, but that will calm down."
"I can tell you have no idea what the rumor mill has dragged me through. If you can't understand that, you have no way of grasping why I had to leave Brighton. If I hadn't, there would've been two ruined reputations instead of one."
"So I should thank you for abandoning me? I should be grateful for showing up at your hotel, only to have the clerk tell me that Mrs. Michael Raydor had checked out and not left a forwarding address. And no message!" Aunt Brenda sat down with a thud on one of the chairs. "Not even a goodbye."
"Brenda," Mrs. Raydor said, and now her voice sounded raspy and raw, like Cassidy's own voice sounded when she'd been crying so much her throat hurt. "You really don't understand. If I had stayed and allowed myself to say goodbye, it would have…it would have killed me."
Aunt Brenda had lowered her head as in defeat, but now she jerked and looked up at Mrs. Raydor. "What?" Her voice was barely audible, but Cassidy could see the stricken look on her face. "What are you saying?"
"You need to just listen, Brenda Leigh. You are so quick to judge and think the worst, but if you just—"
"Not as quick as you were in leaving me after everything we said…everything we…did…" Aunt Brenda stood, and now she was crying.
"Oh, no," Caroline whispered where she crouched next to Cassidy.
"Darling." Mrs. Raydor pulled Aunt Brenda into her arms and hugged her hard. Aunt Brenda seemed to struggle for a moment, but then relented and stood still within the embrace.
"Don't cry. Please, Brenda Leigh. I can't bare it if you cry."
"I have hated you for a long time." Aunt Brenda sniffled. "And I need a handkerchief."
"Here." Mrs. Raydor pushed a lace trimmed handkerchief in Aunt Brenda's shaking hand. "I don't blame you. Oh, sweet Lord, I have missed you."
"Sharon…" Aunt Brenda hid her face against Mrs. Raydor for a moment. Then she pulled back, her face pale. "Once you learn more about me, you'll think less of me. Most people would."
"What makes you say that?" Mrs. Raydor looked puzzled.
"I just know. I have to go." Rushing toward the door, Aunt Brenda left Mrs. Raydor standing in the middle of the room.
The last thing Cassidy saw before she and Caroline closed the gap in the tapestry, was how Mrs. Raydor covered her face with one hand and held her midsection with the other, slightly bent over as if she was in pain.
XXXXXXXXXX
Annika used the mostly empty ballroom in the east wing, the only room with enough space, to train. Dressed in narrow black trousers, a long white silk shirt, she charged forward. The sword glimmered mutedly in the pale winter light as she forced an imaginary adversary backward. Her left hand raised in the classic pose, her long, muscular legs carried her through the intricate attack.
Her shoes, especially made for this exercise, gave her excellent traction as she twirled, attacked, but never went on the defensive unless she had set a trap for her opponent.
"Oh, goodness." A husky, breathless voice made Annika pivot, her sword automatically raised.
"Kathryn!" She immediately lowered the sword. "It is not advisable to approach me when I am armed.
"Understood." Kathryn looked at the sword and back at Annika, her eyes large. "I have never seen anything like that. How you moved…as if you were able to slice the oxygen molecules in two."
"That would be unlikely," Annika said and couldn't resist smiling. "What brings you hear? Madam Serena assured me this room was rarely in use."
Kathryn tilted her head and scanned her entire body. "I was looking for you and, yes, it was Serena who pointed me in the right direction. I'm very glad she did. I wouldn't have wanted to miss this—you—for anything. I didn't realize your hair was this long, for instant."
"My hair?" Feeling her blond ponytail, held together with a black velvet ribbon, Annika regarded Kathryn curiously. "I was unaware you took notice of something as unimportant as my hair."
"It's not unimportant. Not when it's this amazing, and since it's yours. May I?"
At first Annika thought Kathryn asked if she could touch her hair, but then realized the other woman indicated an interest in her sword. "It's as stunning as its owner."
"Use caution," Annika said and handed over the sleek sword, handle first, to Kathryn. "Keep it low at a forty-five degree angle when not engaged in training or battle."
"Battle?" Kathryn's head snapped up. "You say that as if you've actually used this outside of training, or even competing."
"I have." Annika's throat hurt, but she managed to sound calm. This was the part of her life any other woman would deem reproachful.
"In Miranda's employ?" Kathryn held the sword out of her way and stepped closer to Annika.
"Indeed."
"Good Lord. I won't ask about the circumstances as I'm sure I don't want to know, but I must say it bothers me."
Annika felt her heart sink into the depth of her stomach. "I see. Of course." She reached for her sword, but Kathryn didn't seem to notice, not taking her eyes off Annika's.
"I would hope you're very good at handling this weapon or I'll worry frightfully for you once you are back on duty, so to speak. The idea of anything this lethal even making a mark on you is heartbreaking."
Annika's thoughts whirled. She was trying to back up what Kathryn just said and not doing a very good job of it. "Are you saying this worries you?"
"Yes, naturally. I don't think I even want to imagine you getting hurt." Kathryn raised the sword some and looked at it. "When I imagine something like this piercing your body, or, God forbid, your heart…it's as if it happens to me." Kathryn shifted her gaze back to Annika. "I never thought I had such vivid, and horrible, imagination." She smiled tremulously.
"I have yet to be pierced by anything. I have been cut, though, and have a few less attractive scars." Annika stepped closer, once again holding out her hand for the sword.
"Would you show me?"
"The scars?" Annika gasped, unable to remain collected.
"Yes, eventually, please, but for now, how to use this." Kathryn's soft blue eyes twinkled. "In case I need to defend you at one point."
Smiling at the now obviously flirting Dame Kathryn, Annika circled her and placed her hand over the one holding the sword. She wrapped her arm around Kathryn's waist and was immediately engulfed by the emerald green skirts. "Raise your free hand in a ninety degree angle of both the shoulder and the elbow joints. Like so. This is the 'en garde'. Keep your dominate leg forward, slightly bent, and the other behind you, stretched out. Yes, like so."
Annika showed Kathryn the basic technique and it took on the form of a strange ballroom dance as they moved back and forth. Their breathing picked up speed, the small hairs below Kathryn's elaborate hairdo curled up from perspiration, and every now and then they both laughed. Eventually Kathryn handed the sword back, rubbing her shoulder. "Oh, my. I'm going to be sore in places I was unaware of having tomorrow, I'm sure. This was great fun, Annika. I will have to dig out one of our ancient swords and persuade you to play some more."
Play? The word made Annika's cheeks ignite. Knowing she blushed made her self-conscious and she dipped her head, wishing she had set her hair free to cover her. This had been her habit during her childhood in Gothenburg when her aunt and uncle used their sorely lacking parental skills on her. She had quite a few scars from that time in her life also.
"It's not a demand, Annika," Kathryn said softly and cupped her elbow. "Just a suggestions."
"I would be more than happy to teach you how to fence, Kathryn." Annika raised her head, feeling quite foolish. "I do not think I could refuse you anything."
Kathryn's lips parted, but she didn't speak. Instead she stepped well into Annika's personal space and raised her hand to Annika's cheek. Letting her fingertips slide down, her thumb ended up on Annika's lower lip. "So beautiful. I know for a fact I could never refuse you either."
"The way you look at me, Kathryn, is not entirely…safe."
Tilting her head, her eyes taking on a whole new, much more dangerous, glitter, Kathryn said, "Really?"
Annika drew a deep breath and began to withdraw, ready to tuck her sword into its case. She fought against the immediate instinct to pull Kathryn into a wild embrace, crush those narrow, wine red lips to hers and quench her thirst for this woman once and for all.
"Annika?" Kathryn's elegant once again landed on her arm. "Don't run."
"I must."
"Why?"
"You do not want to know." Annika snapped the case closed around the sword.
"I do."
Rounding on Kathryn with fire in her belly, Annika held up her free hand, palm toward the other woman. "No. You do not." She hurried toward the doorway, relieved the corridor was empty as she half ran toward her room.
This was the way things had to be. She had to leave Kathryn back in the ballroom. Alone. Safe.
XXXXXXXXXX
Miranda gathered her skirt and sat down on the side of the large bed where Caroline and Cassidy lay tucked in, the cover all the way up to their chin despite the roaring fire in the fireplace.
"You girls have been unusually quiet this evening. Should I worry?" Miranda eyed the two little redheads. Weren't they closer to each other than normal? Usually, Caroline wanted her space if they shared a bed, claiming Cassidy kicked her or had cold feet. Now the two of them were shoulder to shoulder in the center of the bed.
"Not at all, " Caroline said. "We're just a bit cold and tired. Right, Cass?"
"Right."
"And tired," Caroline added again. "Right, Cass?"
"Right."
Miranda thought back on the day and only now realized her girls had been out of sight for the main part of the day. What had they been up to? She knew they liked to play spying games and this old castle had many nooks and crannies for little girls to hide. "Did anything upset you today?" she asked as casual as it was possible.
"No. No…well, a little?" Cassidy said and then winced as Caroline must have kicked her under the covers. "Ouch."
"What happened?" Miranda demanded an answer, albeit in the softest of tones.
"We overheard Aunt Brenda and Mrs. Raydor arguing. They were upset." Caroline sat up now, her eyes huge. "Seems they have known each other for years. Aunt Brenda was very angry." This clearly did not sit well with Caroline. She was always the peacemaker and Cassidy most often the protective one. Between them, these two made quite the diplomatic team.
"It is not polite to listen in on anyone else's conversation." Miranda made sure they knew she meant this. "And not only that, it's wrong."
"We're sorry," Cassidy said and sat up as well.
A faint knock on the door frame made Miranda turn her head. Andy poked her head in. "I'm sorry. I thought I might say good night to the girls? I won't keep you from your usual evening ritual."
"Andrea! Come in." Caroline looked relieved at the interruption.
"Yes, please do," Miranda extended a hand, thought better of it and instead pointed at the opposite side of the bed. "Come and listen to my little sweethearts' confessions."
The way the girls' faces fell was almost humorous.
Andy moved to the other side of the bed, but unlike Miranda who, true to habit, kept her regal poise, she crawled up and sat on the bed just behind Miranda. Closing her eyes briefly as she inhaled Andy's scent, Miranda moaned inwardly. Andy of course had to sit so close, didn't she? "Go on, girls. You were saying how much you regretted spying on your Aunt Brenda."
"Um. Yes. We're sorry about what we overheard." Caroline elbowed her sister. "Aren't we?"
"Right." Cassidy grinned now, her eyes on Andrea. "All we heard," she said, giggling.
Caroline gave her sister an 'oh you idiot' look. "So, time for our evening prayer, Mother?"
"Just a minute." Miranda turned her focus on Cassidy. "What did you mean by emphasizing the world 'all'?"
"Nothing. I mean, just that. All of what we overheard." Cassidy stopped grinning and moved closer to Caroline who rewarded her by pinching her side. "Ouch. Why do you always do that?"
"Because I can." Caroline imperiously stuck out her tongue.
"Girls." Miranda's voice sank and octave and it amused her to no end how this made even Andy sit up straight.
"We're sorry, Mother," the twins echoed.
"The truth now. Who else did you spy on?"
"We didn't spy. We were exploring and somehow just ended up behind the wall where everyone was talking." Donning her best puppy look, Caroline looked suitably sad.
"Behind the wall?" Miranda was at a loss. "What are you talking about?" She knew about one secret door Andy showed her, but that lead directly into another room.
"I think I know." Andy shook her head, smiling wistfully. "In fact, I think I better show you once the girls have confessed."
"We saw Aunt Brenda and Mrs. Raydor, like we said. And we saw you and Andrea. Only for a moment and you looked really happy and we didn't want you to know we were there cause it was private and you tell us all the time when it's private—"
"Stop." Miranda held up her hand. "When did you see me and Andrea?"
"After lunch. You were in the small drawing room. We couldn't hear everything you said. I promise."
"We did see the kiss." Cassidy had obviously decided to be honest, which irked her sister, naturally, who pinched her again. Harder this time, judging from how Cassidy jumped. "Ow! Caro, stop it!"
"Stop talking, then," Caroline hissed, and then seemed to remember her mother was right there. "Um. Yes. The kiss."
Miranda wanted to thud her head against the wall. Preferably hard enough to render her unconscious over Christmas. "Oh, dear."
"That's all right." Andy spoke and then shocked Miranda to the core by wrapping her arm around her shoulders from behind. "Miranda and I have quickly become very good friends and such an exchange is natural."
"It is?" Cassidy beamed, looking relieved, but Caro was tougher and infinitely more suspicious.
"Yes, it is. Affection between adults is first and foremost their business. Not even their children get to discuss or have opinions about it. At least not in the beginning of such a friendship. Further along into such a friendship, the children are taken into account and if they're polite and understanding enough to be trusted." She tilted her head. "I happen to think you two are among the most understanding and trustworthy young girls I've ever met. Surely you are not out to prove me wrong?"
"Not at all," both girls said simultaneously. "We never gossip. Never." Caroline looked aghast at the thought. "Enough people on Manhattan have their views about our Mother and sometimes us as well. I don't like that. It's not fair."
"No, it's not." Andy shook her head in dismay. "Gossip is rarely benevolent.
Cassidy yawned behind her hand. "I think I can fall asleep this very instant," she said, snuggling down on her pillow.
"Me too." Caroline followed her sister's example. "Are we still in trouble?"
"Not as much as you were. How about we say our prayers now?" Miranda didn't have the heart to scold them when they were almost asleep. She was a strong believer in 'never allowing the sun to set on anger' concept.
As the girls recited their prayer, Miranda took Andy's hand in hers; wanting her to know she appreciated her unorthodox way of calming her girls. After the prayers, the twins nodded off instantly.
"They are out like little lights," Andy said and began sliding off the bed.
"All this fresh air and their affinity for spying must have taken a toll." Miranda sighed. "Any idea where they might have spotted us and Brenda and Sharon?"
"Yes, come with me." Andy held on to Miranda's hand and led her down the staircase. "Here, put on my oldest coat. At least over your shoulders. There is no heat source inside the walls.
Miranda was sure she must've heard Andy wrong. Inside the walls? She took a step toward Andy who'd opened what looked like a part of the wall next to her.
"Here is one of the openings. Come."
Miranda stepped inside and was unsure what she may see. Behind the wall was a narrow corridor and when the secret door closed, she felt she was trapped. Then, Andy pulled her into her arms and kissed her.
"Don't worry. I'll get a lamp." Andy disappeared down the narrow path. "I won't be far away.
Miranda hoped so. She also wished she had told Andrea she was prone to claustrophobia.
Continued in part 4
