“No, miss.” She stepped back and gave my hair an appraising look. “When did ye last have it?”
“The day Cate and I brought it to Mr. Faber’s shop. Once we returned home, I put the knife in the drawer before we left for the palace.” I paused for a moment, trying hard to recall if I had taken it out anytime after that night. Nothing came to mind, and I wondered if Cate had reason to borrow it. “Do you know if her ladyship is at home?”
Beth nodded. “Last I seen, she was overseeing the delivery of a new settee to her private chamber. Ye pulled the bell for me just as some clumsy lads were getting an earful for chipping a baluster.”
The knife was one of many reasons I needed to see Cate. Leaving Beth to straighten the dressing table and put my nightclothes away, I walked in the direction of the rooms located in the opposite wing. Female voices met me halfway, followed by laughter and the click of a door. Sophie appeared alone from the alcove that led to Cate’s chamber and walked toward me.
“May I help you, miss?” she asked, in a calm and pleasant tone that seemed incongruent coming from the girl who had so recently threatened my maid with physical harm.
“I need to speak with Lady Dinley.” I glanced over Sophie’s shoulder to the alcove. “Is she in her chamber?”
“Yes, miss. I just left her there myself.”
“Thank you, Sophie. Don’t let me keep you. I can announce myself.” I made to resume when she moved into my path, forcing me to a sudden stop and our faces within an inch of the other. To my surprise, the girl held her ground, and I had to move back to maintain a polite distance.
The near collision elicited nothing more than a kind look from Sophie. “Her ladyship is not receiving visitors at this time, miss. You may speak to her this evening.”
Absolute authority resided beneath the calm tone, which I found rather insolent coming from one who was no doubt my junior. “I’ve important matters to discuss with Lady Dinley. Surely, she won’t mind the interruption.” I started again, only to be set upon my heels a second time.
“Her ladyship is not to be disturbed,” Sophie said.
Good gracious! What must a person do to get past this girl? “Can you at least tell her I need a private word?”
Sophie shook her head. “My mistress gave specific instructions not to be bothered for anything less than imminent death.” Concern marred her brow, in direct contradiction to the obvious amusement that lit her eyes. “Are you dying, miss?”
A caustic remark nearly escaped me. I stopped it at the last second, and forced a bit of honeyed sweetness in its place. “You’re a reasonable girl, Sophie. Do you think I would be standing here if I were actually dying?”
“Then come back before supper. Her ladyship will have time to see you then.”
“But she just went in there,” I said in a cajoling voice. “What is so important that she cannot be interrupted for a single minute?”
The amusement in Sophie’s eyes grew stronger. “She is seeing to the new settee, miss.”
It seemed a jest of the worst sort. I blinked. Then blinked again. “This must be an important piece of furniture. I shall try not to be offended.”
Sophie didn’t respond, though her eyes continued to speak volumes as she watched me.
So pleased I’ve amused you.
The girl was stubborn as an ox, and though weighing no more than eight stone, would be about as difficult to move as any real-life beast of burden. Short of a sudden life-threatening illness, she clearly had no intention of relenting.
The mask of patience strained over my mounting annoyance. “Very well, Sophie. I shall return when her ladyship has less important matters to see to.”
Pride alone kept me from slamming the door of my chamber. “Settee, indeed!” I said, giving full vent to my temper. “How dare that girl play the high and mighty gatekeeper with me?” I grabbed the small, square throw pillow from the armchair and hurled it across the room.By good fortune, Beth had already left and had not stood witness to my humiliation. It was one thing for a maid to set down another maid, but to do the same thing to a guest, and practically family at that, was intolerable. Even worse, this was the second time Sophie had effectively put me in my place. Judging by the amused look in her eyes, she had received some measure of enjoyment from the task.
What did I ever do to warrant such behavior? The girl treated me like a child, despite my greater years. Fresh anger welled inside me, and having nothing more to throw other than the chair itself, I settled for pounding a fist into the thick padding.