The Maid of Fairbourne Hall Read Online Free Page A

her any harm to miss a few meals. She always put on a bit of weight during the season, with all the rich food and midnight suppers. Did Lewis Upchurch prefer willowy women like Miss Lyons? Apparently so.
    Leaving her breakfast untouched, Margaret returned to her bedchamber. From the bottom of her dressing chest, she lifted out the mahogany writing box where she kept mementos of her father. She raised the beautifully carved lid and breathed deeply. The aroma from a sachet she had made of her father’s pipe tobacco enveloped her in its earthy, spicy familiarity. Oh, Papa. How I miss you. . . . She fingered her father’s things—his New Testament, two letters he had written to her, his spectacles, and an old pair of his gloves. She gripped the limp leather fingers. What she wouldn’t give to hold his hand once more.

    That afternoon, Margaret bid a poignant farewell to her sister as her mother and Sterling looked on.
    Caroline was returning to Miss Hightower’s Seminary for Girls, where Margaret herself had attended years before. Loath to stay in the town house alone with the Benton men, Margaret offered to ride along.
    Her mother hesitated. Joanna Macy Benton was a tall, handsome woman, though her once fair hair had darkened to a mousy brown and fine lines marred her face. She was a few years older than her dashing new husband, and all the complexion creams in London could not disguise that fact. Nor could her thin smile belie her deep unhappiness. For though Sterling Benton had pursued her with determined admiration and charm, both had quickly faded after the wedding, leaving the new bride confused and desperate to right whatever it was she had done wrong.
    Her mother’s eyes, wide and vulnerable, shifted to Sterling before returning to Margaret. “My dear, you know I would enjoy your company, but the barouche would be far too crowded with Caroline and her school friend. Not to mention their many belongings.”
    She glanced again at Sterling, eager for a look of approval. The two of them clearly had other reasons for wanting Margaret to remain in Berkeley Square.
    A few hours later, her brother was packed and ready to leave as well. Gilbert had plans to spend the final few weeks of his term break at a friend’s country estate, riding and shooting, until both boys had to return to Eton in early September. Margaret was happy for him, knowing he missed country life as much as she did, but sad for herself. How lonely she would be.
    Blinking back tears, she embraced him and kissed his cheek.
    â€œWhat’s all this then, ey?” Gilbert protested her tight hold and grimaced at her tears. “Come on, Mags. I’m not going away forever. I shall see you at the end of next term.”
    She forced a smile. “Of course you will. I am only being silly.”
    He winked at her. “Well, nothing new there.”
    Although they did not speak of it, Margaret knew her young brother was aware of the tension in the house. She did not want him to worry, so she socked him on the shoulder on his way out the door, as any good sister would.
    â€”——
    Afterward, Margaret went back upstairs to dress for dinner. She dreaded the thought of dining with only Sterling and Marcus. How uncomfortable that would be. She perused her wardrobe, apathetic about what to wear. Where was Joan? She pulled the bell cord to summon the maid to help her dress. Several moments passed, but no one came. Finally she heard the telltale clitter-clat of Joan’s worn-to-the-nail half boots in the passage outside. But the footsteps hurried right past Margaret’s room.
    She pushed open her door. “Joan?”
    Joan, rushing toward the stairs, turned back at her call.
    â€œDid you not hear the bell?”
    Joan looked pale. “Can’t stop now, miss. Theo says Mr. Murdoch wants to see me without delay.”
    It was clear from her stricken expression that Joan feared she was in trouble.