The park in Southampton was lovely. Being this far south meant that a lot of the flowers were in bloom and some of the trees and bushes boasted light-green leaves. Among them, on the pathways, the people living in, or visiting, Southampton strolled, looking pleased to get some fresh air and be out in the sun
Caroline and Cassidy were busy drawing where they sat in the shade of an old oak tree. Caroline kept looking at the gazebo across from them, where brass bands sometimes played. Andrea guessed that Caroline, in her precise way, was drawing it. Caroline kept looking up into the tree, whose branches loomed over them. She wondered if Cassidy had placed one of Miranda's characters among the branches.
She was drawing Miranda, this time fully aware of it and with Miranda's permission. Dressed in a pale lilac skirt and matching jacket, over a white, lace-adorned blouse. Before Andrea met Miranda, she would have taken the greatest pleasure in drawing the garments. Now, she did a reasonably good job with the clothes but then put all her effort into Miranda's features. The mix of sharp angles, soft lips, and intelligent demeanor would have been a challenge no matter whose face she wanted to portray—but the feelings that permeated Andrea's very soul as soon as she looked at Miranda, made it both harder and easier. Easy, because she knew Miranda's face so well already, and harder because she noticed every minute little detail.
"You are frowning." Miranda looked up from her book where she sat leaning against the tree. The hotel had provided them with a sturdy, plaid blanket. Andrea sat against another tree, not far from Miranda, and as they turned in different directions, they could keep watch over the girls.
"I'm focusing," Andrea now said, answering Miranda.
"You make me sound like a challenge," Miranda smirked into her book.
"You have no idea. I want to do your beauty justice." Andrea was drawing the lock of hair that hung over Miranda's forehead and looked up again just as Miranda inhaled sharply and then bit into her lower lip.
"Andrea," she warned.
"Yes?" Andrea blinked. "Something the matter?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." Miranda shook her head.
"I don't. You said my name. That was it." Andrea couldn't help but smile.
"You referred to me as—"
"Yes, Miss Andrea said she wants her drawing to show your beauty, Mama," Caroline said quietly. "And you are beautiful."
Miranda's expression softened. "Thank you, Caroline."
Caroline put down her drawing pad. "You thank me, but scold Miss Andrea for saying the same thing. That doesn't make sense."
Miranda closed her eyes, and Andrea could tell that she lightly thudded the back of her head against the tree trunk. "That was wrong of me," Miranda said softly to Caroline, while she regarded Andrea out of the corner of her eyes. Her expression clearly stated, 'Just you wait.'
Once the girls were tired of drawing, they packed up their things and put it away in the coach that was available to them all day. Strolling around the park, Andrea and Miranda ended up walking together, arm in arm, as so many other women in the park.
"Why is this appropriate, but calling you beautiful is not?" Andrea murmured, not looking at Miranda.
"Because this, walking arm-in-arm, is a common thing among women who have befriended each other. Perhaps they even tell each other they're pretty or beautiful, but they don't sound like you did."
Surprised, Andrea had to send Miranda a glance. "How did I say it that tipped the scale into inappropriateness?"
Miranda appeared to hesitate for a moment. "Sultry."
Her mouth half-open at the word, Andrea tried to think back to what she'd said, and how. It was impossible. She had answered Miranda's teasing question—wait—she had answered Miranda. And Miranda had smirked and flirted by saying 'You make me sound like a challenge.'
"In fact, Miranda," Andrea said quietly, "you started it. If I sounded, ahem, sultry. Then you flirted first." She repeated what Miranda had said and how.
"I did nothing of the sort." Miranda was smirking even now.
"Hm." Andrea squeezed her arm. "I think I'm right. You may not be quite as inconspicuous as you think."
Miranda chuckled. "I see. Is that your way of saying that I need to try harder?"
"Doing what?" Andrea glanced at Miranda.
"Being circumspect. Watch out!" Miranda pulled Andrea closer when a group of little boys stormed by them. "I have no idea how as soon as I'm outside with you, people are ready to knock you over?"
"Isn't it strange?" Andrea clung to Miranda's arm. "And usually, it happens when you're there as well." She looked after the boys. "I know that plenty of little girls are rambunctious as well, but hordes of boys can truly make one's life as a governess a bit challenging" She didn't say 'and sometimes their fathers as well' but she thought it and it made her shudder.d
"Are you getting cold? The spring wind can be nippy now that we're out in the open, even if this is the very southern part of England." Miranda kept Andrea close, which made her feel better. It was rather ridiculous that she was easily startled and, as it seemed yesterday, had shown some strange fear that only seemed to be present in her mind, when the train acted erratically.
"Not cold. Just rattled. It'll pass quick enough." Andrea smiled. She pulled her pocket watch out and checked the time. "I think we need to start heading back for the coach. The girl's supper will arrive in an hour."
"And we're at the far end of the park." Miranda raised her hand and waved at Caroline who was the one who kept turning her head and looking for them now and then. Making a rotating gesture with her finger, Miranda pointed to where they came from. "Time to go back, girls."
"Oh, but I like it here," Cassidy said. "I wanted to draw some more."
"Not in the park," Andrea said firmly. "After your supper, and if your mother agrees, we can have an art lesson at the dining table. You can work some more on what you started before."
Cassidy's frown turned into a smile in less than a second. "May we, Mama?"
"You may. Andrea is kind to offer, so let's try to not drag it out for more than an hour. Then you can spend some time with one of your books."
As they reached the coach, the driver assisted the girls first. When he turned to Miranda, a shrill voice echoed along the path behind them.
"Lady Miranda? It is you, isn't it?"
Miranda went rigid and then groaned. "Oh, good God."
Andrea turned her head toward the voice and saw a tall, gangly woman on the arm of an equally tall and gangly man approach them. The woman appeared slightly older than Miranda and was waving at her.
"Camilla Terrence." Miranda donned what could only be described as a shark grin. Andrea remembered it from the very first day she arrived at the Priestly household. She had felt chilled to the bone from it. It did seem to have a certain effect on Camilla Terrence as well, as the woman slowed down.
"What are you doing in Southampton, Lady Miranda? You're a long way from home."
"My family and I are booked on the Titanic for her maiden voyage on Thursday." Miranda was clearly not going to elaborate. "We're just returning to our hotel."
"I see. I'm so glad I ran into you. You remember my husband, Jonathan, don't you?" Camilla Terrence gestured at the man next to her.
"Of course. Nice to meet you again, Jonathan." Miranda seemed less exasperated at greeting the man, which was perhaps because he seemed as quiet and withdrawn as his wife was exuberant and loud.
"And this is?" Camilla Terrence looked curiously at Andrea.
"My children's governess, Miss Sachs," Miranda spoke curtly.
Andrea bowed. "Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Terrence."
"A governess." Camilla Terrence frowned. "Are you bringing staff to America? How long are you staying?"
"For quite some time," Miranda said, obviously not about to elaborate. "I am sorry to cut this short, but we were just leaving—"
"—but you must come to the house and join Jonathan and I for supper tonight." Camilla Terrence stepped closer. "As you have the governess here, you're free as a bird, I'm sure."
"Unfortunately, not." Miranda shook her head. "I have made other plans. In fact for all of days and evenings until our departure."
"Surely you can set aside one evening for old friends." Camilla Terrence all but stomped her foot.
"Dear, if Lady Miranda is busy—"
"Nobody can be that busy." Camilla Terrence glared at her husband.
"I would imagine that if my husband was still alive, he would have taken on most of the arrangements, but as he isn't, I have to do everything myself," Miranda said silkily. "Not everyone is as fortunate as you, Camilla."
"True. True. I still think it's a shame." Suddenly Camilla Terrence turned to Andrea. "Sachs, you said. Any relation to the Inverness or Edinburgh branches of the family? My cousin's sister-in-law's mother was related to the Inverness branch."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Terrence. I'm not related to anyone in Inverness." Andrea felt like taking a step back as she woman studied her closely, as if she hoped to catch her in a lie. She could barely believe how a woman she'd never heard of, could show up out of nowhere and ask her about things she barely could think of without feeling nauseous.
"Perhaps just as well. There were some God-awful rumors of that part of the family overall. Seems the old matriarch went lost her mind after her son died in Africa or something to that effect. Dreadful story, my cousin's sister-in-law's moth—"
"I apologize for being rude, but I have to get my girls back to the hotel. It's time for their supper soon." Miranda motioned for Andrea to enter the coach first. The driver assisted her, which was a blessing since her teeth were clattering.
Miranda spoke a few more words in a low voice to the couple outside, which might not have been an exercise in congeniality, as Andrea heard Camilla Terrence say, "Well, I never!"
Miranda entered the coach and the driver closed the door behind her. Sitting down next to Andrea, her eyes narrowing. "Awful, awful woman." She placed a hand on Andrea's arm. "You're shaking."
"I'm just cold," Andrea said, pleading in her head for Miranda not to make this into a discussion in front of the twins.
The twins, or mainly Caroline, seemed to notice that something was not right.
"Miss Andrea?" Caroline looked wide-eyed at her. "You really are trembling."
"I think I got cold just before we reached the coach. It's spring, and it's been a lovely day, but it was cold in the shade.
"We'll be back in the hotel soon. We'll have you warm very quickly." Miranda patted Andrea's hand.
Once Andrea was in the suite with Miranda and the girls, and Miranda rang for Emily and Mrs. Serena to assist with the girls, she slipped into her room and closed the door behind her. Pressing her back to it, she drew a deep breath, and then another. Deep sobs tore through her and she slipped down on the floor. Hugging her knees close to her chest, she pressed her lips to them, to silence her crying. She couldn't have the girls overhear, or Miranda. Not now.
When she had thought the pushy woman in the park had identified her, or at least guessed who she was, it was as if a chasm opened underneath her. She had managed to not fall apart on the way back to the hotel, ridden up in the lift with Miranda and the girls, and listened to the children talk about how they might improve their drawings.
It was a blessing, of sorts, when Miranda had to talk to Emily and Mrs. Serena, which meant Andrea could hide in her room and find her bearings before Miranda could tell she still was 'cold'.
She tipped her head back and saw that there was no key in the door. She even contemplated placing a chair under the door handle, as Mrs. McKellar's cook had suggested, but knew it would only raise more questions.
Andrea had no idea how long she'd sat on the floor when someone knocked on the door.
"Andrea?" It was Emily.
Hoping Emily would think she took a nap or was using the ensuite, Andrea closed her eyes hard and pressed her forehead against her fists. She had to find her bearings and go wash her face. She would have a hard time explaining her reaction to the other's if they saw her like this. It was just, that her legs seemed to have gone entirely rigid, and it was difficult, no, impossible to move.
"Andrea? Are you awake?" Emily called out a little louder.
"Is she there?" a more muted voice belonging to Mrs. Serena asked.
"She has to be, but she's not answering and I don't want to wake her if she's asleep. Lady Miranda said she got cold in the park."
"Cold? A girl from Scotland in a park in Southampton?" Mrs. Serena said slowly. "What if she's not feeling well? Can we truly risk not ascertaining that? Lady Miranda wouldn't forgive us, or herself if Andrea became ill."
"You're right," Emily said.
More knocking, harder now. "Andrea? Can you hear me?" A brief pause, and then Andrea heard, Emily say, "That's it. We have to make sure. If she's in bed, asleep, at least we'll know."
Before Andrea had a chance to react, someone pressed down the door handle and pushed at the door. Andrea fell to the side, and Emily nearly stumbled over her.
"Andrea!" Gasping as she righted herself, Emily stared at Andrea, her eyes huge. Crouching first, and then kneeling next to Andrea, Emily felt her forehead. "She's cold, but also quite clammy." She looked up at Mrs. Serena. "We can't assume responsibility for her not being well. Why don't you go keep the girls company as they change their clothes? Lady Miranda needs to come."
"No," Andrea whispered huskily. "No. Please."
"It's going to be all right. We need to tuck you into bed," Emily said, her voice trembling. "You frightened me, Andrea."
"Miranda doesn't have to—"
"Andrea?" Miranda's footfalls were unmistakable, even if she hadn't called out Andrea's name. "Where is she?" Her voice was stark.
"In here, Milady," Emily called out.
"Oh, dear God." Miranda stopped just inside the door. "What's happened?" She knelt next to Emily.
"I don't think she has a fever, Milady. If anything, I would say this looks like some sort of shock. She's trembling and she's cold and clammy."
Miranda felt with the back of her hand against Andrea's forehead, and she knew she was going to have to say something, or they might call a doctor and she just needed some time to herself, if anything. Not medical intervention.
"I need help to get up," Andrea whispered. "I just need to rest on the bed a little."
"Thank the Lord, she speaks." Emily slipped behind Andrea and put her arm around her waist. "If you can keep her feet from slipping, Milady?"
"Or I might be of assistance," a male voice said as Mr. Kipling stepped through the now wide-open door. "Allow me, Emily."
"Yes, Emily. Let Kipling help her." Miranda rose and stood to the side, not taking her eyes off Andrea. "Please help her onto her bed, bring hot water bottles, and extra blankets. Then I want you to tell the girls that Andrea needs to rest for a bit after getting cold and they'll have their art class when she's feeling better."
"Yes, Milady," Emily said and hurried out of the room.
Andrea tried to get her feet in under her when Mr. Kipling lifted her off the floor. He merely swung her up in her arms and walked the few steps over to the bed.
"Thank you, Mr. Kipling," Andrea whispered.
"You feel better now, Miss Andrea," he said and patted her shoulder before he left the room.
Miranda began unlacing Andrea's boots and pulled them off. "Your feet are cold as well," she muttered. "Why didn't you tell me you were this unwell…I don't understand."
Andrea regarded Miranda's ministrations through slitted eyes. Even if she could have explained everything, she could barely speak. It was as if even her vocal cords were affected.
Emily entered with hot water bottles and blankets. She helped Miranda remove Andrea's dress and hat, and then tuck the bottles and blankets around her.
"I'll be right outside with Serena and the girls, Milady," Emily said and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Andrea felt new tears carve hot tracks on her cheeks and along her temples. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I'm sorry."
Miranda slid up higher on the bed and bent down. She kissed the tears until they stopped flowing. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Something happened when we ran into that idiotic woman and her husband. I saw it on your face as soon as she began asking about your name. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, or if it is simply too soon. Just please don't hide when you're not well. I can't bear to think of you alone, afraid, and in pain, darling. Do you understand?"
Andrea managed to lift her right arm and hook it around Miranda's neck. "It's almost like when I panicked on the train…only worse…am I going insane?" She shivered and Miranda pulled her into her arms, blankets and all.
"No, you're not. Emily thinks you've received a shock. I'm inclined to agree with her." Kissing Andrea's lips lightly, Miranda rocked her gently. "And you're just going to take it very easy tonight. I'll have them send up soup and bread for you. Nothing too heavy."
"I loathe to cause so much trouble," Andrea whispered.
"And if it was me feeling like you do now? Would you think I merely caused trouble?" Miranda lifted her head to look at Andrea, her eyebrows raised.
"No. Of course not…oh…"
"Oh, indeed."
Miranda simply held Andrea, until she began falling asleep. She felt how gentle hands tucked her in once more, and then a faint scraping sound. When she opened her eyes a tiny bit, she saw Miranda sit down in an armchair that she'd pulled up to the bed. She didn't switch on any additional lights, merely sat there, watching over her.
Finally able to relax, Andrea allowed herself to fall asleep.
Continued in part 13.