The Swan Maid. Dilly Court

my lady.’ Lottie hesitated in the doorway. ‘I’m afraid I haven’t got anything suitable to change into.’

      Aurelia raised a delicate eyebrow. ‘Good heavens! Why not? You must have brought clothes with you from your last place of employment.’

      ‘They all reek of the taproom, my lady.’ Lottie hung her head. ‘I’m told they smell of tobacco and beer, but I was so accustomed to it that I never noticed.’

      ‘Oh, is that all? I’ve been subjected to far worse during my travels abroad, but I do object to farmyard odours in my boudoir. Go and change immediately.’

      ‘Yes, my lady.’ Lottie opened the door, but again she hesitated. ‘Is it true that we will be leaving for the Crimea in a few weeks?’

      ‘Of course. I thought that was understood. Is there a problem, Lottie?’

      ‘No, my lady. I’ll be proud to follow you wherever you go.’

      ‘Excellent. But I can see that we will have to get you outfitted for the journey. Can you ride a horse?’

      ‘I don’t know, my lady. I’ve never tried.’

      ‘Then we must arrange for you to have lessons. We have so little time in which to prepare. Now, change your gown and then you can help me dress. I’m going riding with Lieutenant Gillingham this morning.’ Aurelia threw back the coverlet and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She paused, frowning thoughtfully. ‘This might be the ideal time for you to have your first lesson. I think I have an old habit packed away somewhere. Merriweather would have known where to put her hands on it, but I want you to find it and try it on. We must be close enough in size.’ She stood up and stretched. ‘I’ll ask Lieutenant Gillingham to detail a man to ride with you.’

      Hansford had to be called upon to bring a brassbound trunk down from the attic, which he placed in a spare bedroom for Lottie and Tilda to unpack. A strong smell of lavender filled the air as the sprigs were disturbed, sending showers of tiny blue flowers onto the polished floorboards. Lottie almost forgot the reason for their search as they lifted the delicate fabrics and shook out the creases of silk afternoon gowns, sprigged muslins, and cool cottons. At the very bottom they discovered the cream sateen riding habit. The lavender seemed to have kept the moths at bay and the gown was as good as new.

      ‘I wonder if this will fit me.’ Lottie held it up against her. ‘Why would clothes like this have been put away and forgotten?’

      ‘That’s what the rich people do.’ Tilda scrambled to her feet with a feather fan clutched in her hand. She strutted round the room, fanning herself and then stopping to peer over the top, fluttering her eyelashes. ‘Look at me, I’m a titled lady at a ball and you’re a handsome gentleman.’

      ‘You are a silly-billy, Tilda,’ Lottie said, laughing. She cocked her head on one side, listening. ‘Someone’s coming. Quick, put the rest away or we’ll be in trouble.’

      They had just folded the last gown and put it in place when Mrs Manners poked her head round the door. ‘What are you doing in here, Tilda? Get back to the kitchen at once.’

      Lottie closed the lid of the trunk with a snap. ‘I’m sorry, Mrs Manners. It’s my fault. Lady Aurelia wanted me to find her old riding habit and I asked Tilda to help.’

      ‘It’s not your place to give orders, Miss Lane. However, I’ll overlook it this time as you were both doing something for her ladyship.’ Mrs Manners shooed Tilda out of the door. ‘Get along with you. Do I have to tell you everything twice?’

      ‘No, Mrs Manners. Sorry, Mrs Manners.’ Tilda’s voice faded into the distance.

      Left on her own, Lottie tried on the riding habit and was surprised to find that it fitted as if it had been made for her. She studied her reflection in the cheval mirror that stood in the corner of the room, and it seemed as though she was looking at a complete stranger. She lifted her hand and waved to make sure that her eyes were not playing tricks on her, and she smiled. The elegant young lady waved back and smiled. It seemed like a miracle – a maid of all work at the inn had suddenly been transformed into a lady. Her smile faded. She might be dressed up, but she was still Lottie Lane, a common girl from the tavern. She picked up the long, trailing skirts of the habit and made her way back to Lady Aurelia’s room.

      ‘You’ll do.’ Aurelia looked her up and down. ‘But you cannot go riding without a hat. I’m sure I must have one that will go with that habit.’ She moved gracefully to one of the cupboards, which lined an entire wall, and flung it open.

      The sight of shelves filled with headwear of all shapes and sizes made Lottie catch her breath. This was one cupboard that she had yet to explore, but the colourful assortment of hats and bonnets decorated with flowers, bows and feathers was dazzling. Aurelia selected a small straw hat with a half veil. She tossed it to Lottie. ‘Try that one.’

      Lottie attempted to balance it on top of her head, but it slid over one eye. ‘It’s too small, my lady.’

      ‘Nonsense.’ Aurelia snatched a pearl-headed hat-pin from her dressing table and advanced purposefully on Lottie. With a deft movement she thrust the pin into the straw and secured it through a loop of hair. ‘There you are. Perfect. Now come along, Lottie. I sent a note to Lieutenant Gillingham requesting him to find someone to give you a riding lesson. They’ll be waiting for us.’

      Lieutenant Gillingham leaped to attention when Aurelia approached, closely followed by Lottie. ‘Good morning, my lady.’ He bowed from the waist. ‘A lovely day for a ride.’

      ‘Yes, indeed,’ Aurelia said primly.

      Lottie caught her breath as she realised that the soldier holding the reins of her mount was none other than Private Ellis.

      Aurelia greeted him with a curt nod. ‘I take it that you will be instructing Miss Lane today, Private?’

      ‘Yes, my lady.’ Gideon stood stiffly to attention, staring straight ahead.

      ‘Excellent.’ Aurelia stepped onto the mounting block and arranged herself on the side-saddle. ‘Lead on, Gillingham.’ She glanced over her shoulder. ‘There’s no need to follow us, Private. Take Miss Lane on an easy route, as this is her first lesson.’ She flicked the reins. ‘Walk on.’

      Gideon relaxed visibly as they rode off. ‘Miss Lane, are you ready?’

      Lottie was accustomed to the large coach horses, but the grey mare was comparatively small and dainty. She stroked the velvety nose and smiled into the animal’s lustrous brown eyes. ‘I hope you’ll be patient with a beginner.’

      ‘She will be,’ Gideon said. ‘She’s a game little mare, but she knows when to be gentle. Is it true you’ve never ridden a horse?’

      ‘Quite true.’ Lottie climbed onto the mounting block. ‘How hard can it be?’

      After an hour of learning the rise and fall of a trot, Gideon slowed the pace so that his large black horse walked sedately alongside Lottie’s smaller mount, and they found a shady avenue of trees.

      ‘Why does her ladyship want you to have riding lessons, Lottie?’

      The question came suddenly after a period of silence when Lottie was concentrating on keeping her seat. She glanced at Gideon, puzzled. ‘Why do you want to know?’

      ‘I never saw Merriweather riding a horse. It seems odd, unless she intends you to accompany her to the Crimea.’

      ‘I only learned that this morning.’

      ‘They can’t force you to accompany them abroad. You could leave and find another position, you know.’

      ‘Why would I do that?’ Lottie shot him a curious glance. ‘I’ve always wanted to travel and see more of the world. It might be my only chance.’

      ‘War isn’t pretty. You’d see things you wished you hadn’t seen, and you might put yourself in harm’s way.’

      ‘You’ll