The Countess seemed quite agitated. ‘Brook is awake once more and hungry. I am to show you to your new room. It is to be your room until you wed. They are bringing the other infants across as well. Come’
The Countess led Jaspar down a corridor. ‘Is something wrong your Excellency’
‘Yes, something is wrong. Because my son has been kidnapped I feel they no longer trust me. They treat me as if I am a mere servant. Do this, Do that. Not a word of thanks. It is most humiliating’
Jaspar thought it ironic. This was the woman who had demoted his cousin Lady Penelope to be a mere maid. She deserved to be humiliated. However, she had also helped raise Jaspar back to the nobility and really did care deeply for the child she thought to be her granddaughter. Perhaps she wasn’t all bad.
Jaspar took a punt ‘I think none of them should be trusted. All they seek is power’
‘Hush! You should not say aloud such sentiment. What you suggest is possibly true but such thoughts should be kept to yourself. We will say no more’
They met a man in the robes of a steward ‘This is Mister Barnes the acting Steward he will explain your quarters’
The man bowed firstly to the Countess then to Jaspar. ‘Lady Jasmine I am pleased to make your acquaintance. If you come this way I will show you your new rooms’
Jaspar was led down a corridor. The steward explained: ‘This is the refurbrished wing. Everything is new. These are the rooms set aside for Lady Felicity and Lady Joanna’ He pointed to two elaborate doors. The doors on the other side are quarters for maids and personal attendants. This is your suite. We put you in the larger suite as we heard you will have infants to care for’
He led the two women into the suite. It was larger than she expected. The same size of her own room at the palace when she was the Crown Prince, much larger than the upper level of Simon and Patricia’s house. In it was a large 4 poster bed and a single cot. The Countess’s attendant who had been looking after Brook was sitting on a lounge with the baby on her lap. Brook was crying loudly.
‘I think you will find this room very comfortable. There is a newly installed privy through this doorway and there is an attached bathroom with a looking glass through that doorway’
Brook’s cries were making Jaspar’s teats leak. She did not want her dress stained. ‘Thankyou Mister Barnes. This is very satisfactory. If you will excuse me, I must feed the baby’
‘Most certainly Lady Jasmine. If you need assistance just ring that bell’
‘I shall leave you as well’ said the Countess. ‘Martha will remain with you for the evening to continue to look after Brook’
‘Your Excellency’
Jaspar couldn’t lower her bodice quickly enough. Fortunately, Martha was there to assist. Soon Brook was feeding and the room seemed unnaturally quiet.
Martha broke the silence ‘I’m glad you returned. Her little ladyship has a good set of lungs. There was nothing I could do to quieten her’