I was exhausted when I finally reached home. It seemed appropriate to rest before dinner so I retired to my bedchamber and lay down on the couch. The first dressing bell came to me only dimly, through a fog of sleep. The second came as an urgent clang that had me leaping up, ringing the bell for Bridget almost before I'd registered what I was doing. We would have to hurry if I wasn't going to keep the entire household waiting. 

 Bridget had evidently been waiting near the door, for she appeared immediately, bearing a cherry coloured dress. We exchanged almost no words as she hastily got me ready for dinner. I eventually dashed down the stairs without a moment to spare. My husband was waiting at the bottom.

 'I was just about to come and look for you, m'dear. I thought...

Please subscribe to keep reading.