The trip downstairs wasn't as long as Avaline hoped. She found herself outside the dining room, where Brian and Anna's voices carried all the way through the door. She cleared her throat and smoothed the wrinkles off her skirt. She must appear composed and calm so as not to frighten the twins.
"Avaline, there you are."
She turned to Elaine's voice. Her sister-in-law smiled. She carefully picked up the skirts of her pale blue dress and approached—a white ribbon twisted between the braids of her blond hair. With a gloved hand, Elaine took Avaline's hand.
"I've been looking for you," she said.
"Did something happen?" Avaline thought back to her Mother. Did Charles need her to return?
Elaine pulled Avaline closer. Her voice was low. "Someone is here to meet you."
Avaline's eyebrow shot up. "I don't recall anyone making an appointment. Who is it?"
Elaine's large brown eyes flickered around the hallway. "A Mr. Timmons. He didn't diverge anything else. Jonna had him wait in the lounge." She licked her lips. "Do you know him?"
A lump formed in Avaline's throat. What could Lord Nightingale's butler want with her? She glanced at Elaine. How could she explain that she masqueraded as a maid?
"I'll go see what he wants."
Avaline pulled herself away from Elaine and walked toward the lounge. She squeezed her fingers together. Nausea burned her throat. Had she forgotten something? Was there a complaint?
The lounge was one of the few rooms repaired to help with appearances. The furniture was polished to a standard, and the rugs were beaten weekly to remove the dirt and dust.
Now bathed in sunlight, Mr. Timmons wasn't as old as Avaline initially thought. He looked to be late in his twenties. When he stood, his back was straight and his arms at his side. He bowed. Lady Avaline had Jonna wait by the door.
"Mr. Timmons. To what do I owe this visit?"
"Pardon the intrusion," he said. "I know there is no excuse for my rudeness." He reached into his coat and brought out a letter. "My lord commanded me to deliver this to the lady and no one else. I hope you can be forgiving."
Mystified, Avaline opened the letter. The message was written in precise yet elegant strokes. The words were clear: Lord Nightingale wished to offer her a job. Shaken, Avaline carefully folded the letter.
"What should I tell my lord?" Mr. Timmons asked.
"I'll send my reply soon." She turned to Jonna. "Please see our guest out."
After their departure, Avaline sat heavily on the couch. Fear prickled the base of her neck while hope made her chest swell. A job. The implications would be... a smile pulled at her lips. Then, she composed herself. It was strange. Hadn't Lord Nightingale cast her out a mere handful of hours ago? Why the sudden change in attitude? Was he in such dire need of a maid?
She stood and started pacing. The pay would be welcomed. Its consistency would alleviate many problems. If she worked in the evening, her sleep would suffer, but she was sure she could keep it a secret. If anyone were to find out, Charles, no, Blackburry itself, their family would never hear the end of it. Warmbloods simply didn't work for blood-born. It was unheard of.
Avaline nibbled on her lip. What to do? What to do?
"Avaline?"
Hearing Elaine's voice, Avaline crumbled the letter in her palm. No one could ever see it. With a smile, Avaline turned.
Elaine walked into the lounge. "Is the guest gone? What did he want?
As the lady of the house, it was her job to know the comings and goings of all their visitors. To keep it a secret would mean Avaline was questioning her authority.
"He was from Lord Nightingale's estate," she said.
Elaine stepped closer. Her voice strained. "What did they want? Were they insulted that we didn't greet them?"
Avaline shook her head. "Nothing like that."
"Why ask for you by name?"
Avaline pressed her lips together. Sol, forgive me for lying.
"It's an invitation," Avaline confessed. She hesitated. "Lord Nightingale...wants to..."
Elaine gasped. "Is he inviting you for an outing?"
Avaline opened her mouth, then quickly closed it. "That's one way of looking at it."
Guilt made her queasy. She didn't want to lie, but the alternative wasn't acceptable either.
"You refused, didn't you?" Elaine's eyes were sharp.
Avaline strategically put her hands behind her back. "I haven't."
"Why not?" Elaine asked. "It's not fitting for a lady to be seen with a blood-born." Her voice was low. "You're not thinking of having a dalliance with him, are you?"
"Sol, no," Avaline said. She squeezed the letter tightly.
Elaine placed a hand on her chest in relief. "Anna and Brian are ready whenever you are."
Avaline frowned. "Pardon?"
"Vivian said you'd be taking Anna and Brian to their play date."
Avaline stared. "I am?"
Elaine grimaced. "Did I hear wrong?"
While Avaline knew of the playdate, she was sure Vivian had promised to take them. Why hadn't she said anything before?
"No. You didn't." She licked her lips. "I was planning on writing to Lord Nightingale first."
Elaine smiled. "I'm sure he's patient," she said. "Let's get you ready. There's not much time left."
Avaline glanced down at her attire. "I'm sure I can go in this."
Elaine's eyes widened. "Sol preserve us, no. You can't go out like that." She grabbed Avaline's hand. "Follow me."
Reluctantly, Avaline trailed after her sister-in-law. Back upstairs, they walked into Elaine's dressing room. Avaline's steps faltered. This room used to house her mother's belongings. When had her wardrobe been moved out?
"Is something the matter?"
Avaline shook her head.
Inside, dresses hung from racks, and shoe boxes were stacked along the wall. Avaline recognized a few tailor brand shops. Many of them had lace collars.
Elaine searched through a few dresses before showing Avaline a sage-colored gown.
"Do you like this one?" She held it out. "Here, try it on."
Avaline stepped back. "Elaine, what's all this about? I, I've got a dress I can wear," Avaline began.
Elaine's smile faltered. "I, um, I just thought; I've so many you see. My mother ... I grew up with three brothers, and she still tends to dote on me. I can't wear all these dresses. She never gets them in my size, you see."
Avaline's stomach churned, and it had nothing to do with its emptiness. The amount of gowns and shoes in the room could pay for many months of food, the maids' salary, and even the mansion and garden's upkeep. Some boxes were newly wrapped with ribbons.
Bitterness and shame crept up Avaline's throat. Did Elaine's mother resent the Stark family for not maintaining her daughter's dignity?
"Avaline?" Elaine's furrowed brows deepened.
On one hand, Avaline wanted to wear the beautiful gowns. On the other hand, she didn't want Charles to think she was taking advantage of his wife. And yet, Elaine had gone as far as to offer her wardrobe. If Avaline refused, she would embarrass her.
"I'll accept this once," Avaline said. "I'll return your gown soon after I return."
Elaine beamed. "Let me help you."