A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Fifty-Five
Rose still could not believe Cal’s decision.
After much thinking and soul searching, she had begun to think more positively.
Divorce was still not accepted in society. The only ones who seemed to survive
it socially were rich and of course male. However, even their new partners were
not wholly accepted. Cal must know this. He would not have made this decision
lightly.
The divorced wife was expected to disappear
from sight. How this would affect her mother Rose dreaded to think. There was a
stigma attached to being the maternal relative of a divorced couple. Not that
she wanted to think about her mother at the moment. She always known in her
heart that was a pawn in her mother’s games and that she was sold to Cal. It
was not really a surprise. The only surprise was the depth her mother had gone
to. That saddened Rose rather than angered her.
There would be some payment of course. This
was Rose’s plan. The thought of getting away from society was liberating in
itself. She could travel; do all those things she always wanted. But despite
this, she still felt miserable and rejected, even if it was by Cal.
She had kept this to herself. Cal had not
been to see her and she did not want to discuss it with Trudy. Not because of
gossip, but because she did not know what would become of Trudy.
Nor had she thought much of Jack. She was so
wrapped up in this sudden turmoil. Once in a while she thought of him and that
he may help her choose where she wanted to travel. But the last time she saw
him she had told him she did not wish to see him again. She also had to go away
to this damned convalescent home Cal was insisting on. She felt so stifled now,
how would she cope there? She did not want to go. Suddenly all the mixed up
feelings came back. She didn’t belong here either. Soon she would be homeless
too.
*****
Downstairs, Trudy was summoned by Lovejoy to
serve tea to Cal and Dr. Henry in the parlor. Trudy hadn’t expected the doctor,
so she was a little surprised. Taking the tray to the room she found Cal and
Doctor Henry deep into conversation. They paused briefly as she set the tray
down. Lining the cups up, she began to pour.
The doctor continued his conversation,
oblivious to the servant.
"You see, Mr. Hockley, I am not
surprised by this at all. It is not uncommon for a woman who has lost a baby or
a child to become mentally unstable in some way. From what you are describing
to me this is a classic case. My colleague, Dr. Sinclair has seen other
patients with this distress at Carshalton Farm."
"That will be all," snapped Cal to
Trudy. He looked displeased that she was there. Trudy scurried out of the room,
pondering over what the doctor had said. Rose wasn’t mentally unstable. Unhappy
yes, but not ill. Why were they saying such things? It didn’t make any sense. She
hovered out of sight waiting for the doctor to leave.
After a short time, Trudy heard muffled
sounds of talking and then footsteps. She peered out and checked to see if Cal
or Lovejoy were around. They were not. As the butler made to open the door, she
approached the doctor timidly.
"Excuse me, doctor, are you not here to
see Miss Rose today?"
"No I am not…I will only be seeing her
again once probably now, before she goes to Carshalton Farm. But don’t worry
Trudy; she will be in good hands there. I have a colleague who will be keeping
a good eye on her. There is no reason for you to worry."
The Doctor smiled at Trudy before stepping
out of the door. Trudy was now very puzzled and decided to make herself scarce
before she was seen. She hurried away back down the stairs.
Lovejoy came to find her in the kitchen.
"Trudy, I have a list of things that the
Master wishes you to do. Please follow me."
Trudy was aware that all the eyes of the
other staff we upon them. They missed nothing and rumors were rife below
stairs. It was for this reason that Lovejoy wished to speak to Trudy away from
their eyes and ears.
"Miss Rose is going away for a
convalescence at Linden House on Friday. Here is a list of things that he
wishes to be packed, although you may confer with Miss Rose as to which items
she may prefer."
"Sorry Mr. Lovejoy, you said Linden
House?"
"Yes," replied Lovejoy, rather
irritated. "Now Miss Rose is leaving first thing Friday morning and she
will not be requiring her maid to travel with her. There will be duties for you
here."
"Not to go with Miss Rose?" Trudy
was totally taken back. To not travel with your maid was unheard of.
"These are Mr. Hockley’s orders,"
replied Lovejoy. "Now excuse me, I have other things to attend to. And
mind you keep it to two trunks at the most."
Trudy looked at the list. There were not a
lot of things on there. Maybe she wasn’t going to be there long. There were no
gowns or any fineries. Just simple dresses.
"Well, she is hardly likely to be
partying," Trudy reminded herself. But Lovejoy had said Linden House. The
Doctor had said Carshalton Farm.
"Maybe Linden House is at
Carshalton," thought Trudy. But she had an uneasy feeling. Clutching the
list in her hand, she slipped out through the back of the house to the garages.
She found Thomas, the chauffeur, polishing the car. He smiled at Trudy as she
approached. She always thought he had a liking for her.
"Thomas, can I ask you something?"
He stopped polishing and wiped the sweat from
his brow. It was a warm day and looked ridiculously overdressed in his
trousers, boots and buttoned jacket. "Sure Miss Trudy. What is it?"
"Have you heard of a place called Linden
House in Carshalton?" Trudy played idly with the piece of paper in her
hand.
"No, I can’t say I have. No."
Trudy was disappointed. She was hoping this
mystery would be solved here and now.
"Thank you anyway."
Trudy turned to walk back to the house.
"Trudy, just a minute!"
She stopped and saw Thomas beckoning her
back. He looked around to see if anyone was around, then leaned over to her. In
a low voice he said, "I haven’t heard of a place called Carshalton. But I
know of a place called Carshalton if you know what I mean."
"Thomas, I haven’t a clue what you are
talking about," Trudy replied with a frown, in case he was playing games.
"Carshalton Farm is an estate just
outside Philadelphia. It’s where they take the disturbed." He tapped his
head with his finger. "In the place I worked before here, I take to take
the lady of the house to visit some aunt there. A grim place, I heard her
say."
Trudy looked at Thomas with horror. It was
beginning to dawn on her that unpleasant plans had been made for Rose, to put
her in a mental institute.
Trudy thanked Thomas and hurried back into
the house. What on earth was she going to do? Could she tell Miss Rose what she
thought? Or was it too absurd to think there was a plot going on to get Rose
out of the way?