Nash's Niche (Behind Closed Doors) Read Online Free Page B

It had been by happy circumstance she had discovered a distant cousin on her mother's side was in the locality, but the young girl wasn't she.
    She and Judith had been strolling toward the village when a gig approached them and slowed. If it hadn't been for the warning stare from the occupant Felicity would have blurted out a warm welcome. As it was Judith spoke amiably but warily to the lady who held the reins and introduced her to Felicity as Mrs. Whittering, the housekeeper at Lyddbrook Manor. Felicity had smiled and answered a few trite questions, until they had walked on. To her knowledge Margaret was no Mrs., and Felicity hadn't known she was a housekeeper. Surely she was only a few years senior to Felicity herself?
    "A nice young woman, too young to be a housekeeper, especially in that household. Some relation of the vicar I believe, whose family has fallen on hard times. Her brother was killed recently—ve ry suspicious if you ask me." She sniffed. Judith had no truck for intrigue it seemed. "Her parents died when they were young. Tragic. However, the vicar procured her position for her, so we must assume it is above board." She'd refused to be drawn further, and Felicity had filed the information away. It had come in useful, and Felicity had decided that whether she was related to the vicar or not, Margaret may well be her rescuer. It seemed she had been correct.
    After another afternoon of the mandatory rest, the dressing for dinner—ridiculous in Felicity's mind as only the three of them dined—and an evening of genteel chat, Felicity was more than grateful that the Welland household kept country hours. By nine thirty she was creeping down the back stairs with her shoes in her hand.
    The side door she knew was never locked, as the potboy and the scullery maid lived out, and needed to be inside the Court at some unearthly hour. As far as Felicity was concerned, the way Welland treated his staff was one more black mark against him. That apart, this time it worked in her favor. Felicity exited the door and crept over the rough grass, before she skirted the immaculate lawn and gained the safe ty of the woods beyond. In the days she'd been at the Court she'd explored the area thoroughly, and knew where to find the deserted cottage. Evidently Welland found no fault in her walking each afternoon. Unless he had ordered someone to watch her? There did seem to be a lot of gardeners about wherever she went. However, at this time of day they were all abed.
    The night was dark, but enough moonlight filtered through the trees to make sure she wasn't snagged on a tree root or low branch. An owl hooted, and Felicity jumped. Only when its mate answered it did she relax. Hunting for field mice , she decided, and nothing to worry about.
    The cottage stood in a tiny garden, its windows without glass and the door on one hinge. She hoped to goodness Margaret didn't intend her to stop there. Felicity thought of herself as resilient, but mice and snakes were a no-no. Spiders and ants she could cope with, likewise caterpillars and snails, but not rodents or reptiles. Felicity approached the door with caution and mentally chastised herself. It wasn't as if every mouse and snake in the district were waiting to jump out and shout 'surprise'. She went inside. The woman sitting on a bale of straw looked up when she entered.
    "Flissy love, what on earth is happening?"
    The love and concern in her voice was too much for Felicity. She burst into tears.
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    "So you see Maggie, I didn't know what else to do. Papa is adamant, His Lordship uncaring, and I, well I love another. Not that anything will ever come of that. I've accepted it and tried to move on." She spared a brief thought for that one magical night where she had glimpsed what fulfillment truly meant. "Nevertheless, I cannot and will not be wed to a man who thinks no more of me than piece of furniture. I would rather stay single. And, as Papa knows, I'm well able to support myself. But