The Keeper of Secrets (2011)
“She did no more than curtsy, leading us in silence inexplicably down not the main staircase but the backstairs.
At the foot, she paused and turned, as if having made a decision. ‘Late as it is, gentlemen, I have a favour to ask of you.’ Though he looked as weary as I’d ever seen him, Dr Hansard bowed graciously. I could do no less.
‘His lordship’s – his late lordship’s – old nurse lives in the cottages at the bottom of Prior’s Hill. Would you be kind enough to break the news to Nurse Abney in person? After all her years of service, she should not hear it at second hand. I would have gone myself, but as you can see, all is a-flutter here.’ She did not exaggerate. The servants’ hall was buzzing with muted conversation, as every young woman in the building appeared to have a black-threaded needle in her hand and an expanse of black cloth on her lap. Young men were running backwards and forwards from Mr Davies’ room and the butler’s pantry.
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