A Solemn Promise

I

Which meant that it was up to her, as the oldest, to support the family. She had resigned her position in the Slickson household and had taken her reference to a place that she had once swore that she would never go again.

"Doctor Carlton says you must rest for at least two months, Mama," Grace reiterated.

"Oh, dear," worried Mrs Denham. "Two months? How on earth will we manage? Jem will have to go to work. He won't be able to go back to school in a few weeks when the summer ends."

"Mama, please do not trouble yourself," Claire urged. "All will be well. Grace always manages to look after us." Claire looked up at her elder sister with her confident, blue eyes.

Grace, Kate, and Claire Denham were all very similar in appearance. The girls all had thick, dark hair, and blue eyes, though Grace's did have a strange shade of violet in the iris, making them appear more the colour of cornflowers. It had been said once to her, and Grace had never forgotten the comparison. They three were not remarkable in height, and all stood just over five feet tall, but they were remarkable in bond, especially after their poor father had died.

"In fact, Mama, I am inquiring about a new position this very day," Grace added, pasting a positive smile on her face.

Mrs Denham frowned. "A new position. Where?"

Grace gulped. "Ashwood House." Just thinking about that great house sent a shiver down Grace's spine. She had not crossed the threshold since she was a girl of eleven, and even then, she was only allowed to play in the kitchens.

Mrs Denham looked as Grace felt. Claire, whom already knew of Grace's plans, offered her sister an expression of support. "Oh, no, Grace," insisted Mrs Denham. "Really, must you? After what he said –"

"Mama!" cried Grace, interrupting her. "Really, I do not want to dwell on the past. It was childish, and any thoughts surrounding it must be considered so as well. We are in need of a better wage, and the Beresfords' pay their housemaids more than the Slicksons' do." Grace huffed. "They are not even going to be there anyway," she murmured. They hadn't returned to Ashwood in years.

Mrs Denham closed her mouth and nodded. "Well, I am sorry for you, Grace," she said sincerely. "But I am grateful for you, also." She squeezed Grace's hand. "I am glad they are not here. I never liked that woman, duchess or not," she said determinedly. "Always walking about as though there was a dirty smell under her nose."

It seemed wrong, really, to be speaking of a great lady like the Duchess of Ashwood so, even if Grace found herself quietly agreeing with her mother. But if she hoped to work in the Duchess' household, she would need to keep such thoughts to herself.

"I must go, Mama. Mrs Hayes is expecting me at three o'clock," said Grace, eyeing the little clock on the mantle. It would take her a good half hour to make the walk to the great Beresford estate, and she would need to leave very soon.

"Ah, well there you have a decent woman," Mrs Denham said decidedly. "At least she will be kind to you. I have never heard an uncivil word leave her lips."

Grace did agree whole heartedly. While she was not a close acquaintance of Mrs Hayes; obviously as their ages were so different, Mrs Hayes was nothing but a kind and decent woman. She was the housekeeper at the Beresford estate, but when Grace had known her more intimately, she had been Miss Hayes, the nanny to the three Beresford children.

The family so valued her they kept her on long after the children were grown.

Grace kissed her mother's forehead, and Claire scurried around the bed to walk out with her sister.