The Apothecary's Daughter

Chapter 3

"Lydia, I am the daughter of a shopkeeper. You and I are dear friends but you know you are much higher in station than I. Most of the time it doesn't matter but for the next 48 hours it does. Once the ball is over then we can go back to the norm. Is your mother awake? I have something I prepared for her."

"She is, but wait to give it to her until after supper. You are going to eat with us aren't you?"

"I was never given specific instructions but I would assume I would be. Lydia please do not worry yourself about me. Your family has been so kind to me."

"Okay, but please tell me if Mama ever makes you feel uncomfortable. You are a dear friend regardless of station."

"I know that sweetie. Now let's go to dinner, I am quite famished."

~

After supper Emmeline accompanied Lady Margaret up to her chamber in order to assist with her medical needs.

"I won't be needing you for the rest of the night Gemma. Please tell the chef to prepare a full luncheon for tomorrow. My husband is to arrive around noon and he will be hungry."

"Yes ma'am." The maid curtsies before leaving the room.

"Now my dear, what do you have for me?" Lady Margaret asks, turning her attention to the young woman.

"A new tea that shouldn't taste nearly as vile, as well as a sleeping aid to help with your nerves tonight."

"It's not an opiate is it?"

"No ma'am, it's completely safe. My mother used to give it to me when I had night terrors. I had completely forgotten about it until this week." She removes a vial from her bag. "It should help you stay asleep despite the aches as well."

"Thank you dear."

"You have made great progress since the last time I saw you. I suppose we shall be taking a walk in the garden soon?"

"I suppose so. You're a good girl Emmeline. Strong willed but kind."

"Thank you ma'am. Is there anything else you need from me tonight?"

"No, you may retire to your room. I must ask you to eat separately tomorrow. My husband would have a field day if he knew a simple shop girl was dining with him."

"Of course ma'am. I shall see you tomorrow evening."

"Yes of course, it will be a wonderful night."

~

Emmeline returned to her chamber and removed the ruby red dress from her small trunk. She hung it on the front of the wardrobe for fear it would wrinkle. She plaited her hair before going to sleep, anxious for the adventure that awaited her.

The house was a flurry of activity as everyone prepared for the night. Emmeline kept to herself as best she could. Lady Margaret had asked her to go up to her chamber about a half hour before it was set to begin so she could have a quick check up before she attended to her guests. Lydia was busy herself getting ready so Emmeline had a rather quiet morning. Around 3 she had a bath and tediously arranged her hair in a bun that still allowed for a few ringlets to frame her face. She slipped into her ruby red dress, one of Lydia's old ones. It was simpler than what was considered appropriate for the night's festivities but it suited Emmeline perfectly.

Emmeline made her way into the ballroom through a servants wing. Within moments of arriving she spotted Lydia next to her mother, strategically standing close to the door for when the Earl of Weslyan arrived. Being unattached from any family made her a bit of an outcast so she weaved her way over to Lady Margaret.

"Good evening Sir Thomas, Lady Margaret, Lydia. Your home looks stunning this evening. I am sure this ball will be the talk of the town."

"Thank you Miss. Sommers, Lydia's gown suits you quite well, better than it did Lydia."

"Right, you're Gideon's daughter. I remember when you were just a little sprite. You've grown into quite the young woman." Sir Thomas says, eyeing her up and down.

"Thank you Sir."

"Let's go find Susanna shall we?" Lydia interjects quickly. "I think I heard her mother's voice earlier." She grabs Emmeline's hand and the two quickly lose themselves in the crowd.

"I'm sorry about Father. He has a meandering eye as you well know. I didn't think he would ever say something so blunt in front of my mother."

"Don't worry about it. Everyone is so concerned about seeing the Earl anyway. He should be arriving soon shouldn't he?"

"One would hope. Mother is about to have a heart attack." It had grown rather late in the evening and the Earl still had yet to arrive. It was far past the accepted time to be fashionably late. No matter everyone still tried to be in merry spirits. Emmeline was even asked to dance by a few men who knew her.

~

A good way through the evening there was a bit of a stir. A young man had entered and went around the room and was looking for someone, but no one knew who. Emmeline watched as he went from group to group, seemingly always dissatisfied with their answers. He passed her briefly and she felt so sorry for the poor page she had to stop him.

"Sir is there someone I can help you find?" she asked, "I know most of the people in this ballroom or at least of the hostess who can help you find them."

"Thank you miss, I was sent to find the town's apothecary but upon arriving at the shop I was told they were here. I haven't been able to find him anywhere and my employer is becoming desperate." He replies quickly.

"I am she, I can be of service as soon as I grab my bag."

"No offense miss, but I was expecting a man." He says shyly.

"And I thought I was going to meet the Earl tonight, looks like both of us were in for a surprise. Come on, if your employer is as desperate as you say he is there isn't any time to lose." Emmeline takes the lad's hand and leads him down a servants' hallway back to her quarters, not caring as to what people were thinking. "Wait here." She tells him as she goes into her room to collect the bag of medicines she always carries and her cloak.

"Where is your curricle?" She asks, approaching the stables.

"I don't know miss, there were so many there I'm not sure I'd be able to find it."

"Do you know how to get back to your employer's house from here?" She asks as she saddles two horses.

"No miss."

"Well then how did you get here?"

"I came from town and followed the lights of the other carriages."

"You're lucky I know these parts well. What house do you work for?" Emmeline mounts one of the horses as the page does the same.

"Mooreland Park." Emmeline's mind instantly went to the estate that had for so long been deserted. It was the Earl himself who was ill.

"Well come on lad, we don't want to waste any more time."