Free The Ribbon Weaver by Rosie Goodwin Page A

dinner. Wisely, Amy had followed Toby’s advice not to mention her intentions of getting a job until the festivities were over, and the fact that she had almost lost her gran made them treasure their time together all the more.
    December gave way to January 1846 and Amy became increasingly concerned about the dwindling money in the savings jar. But Molly still wasn’t strong enough to be left alone yet, so she patiently bided her time.
    Today was Mary and Beatrice’s day to visit, and since she was still unable to get out and about, Molly looked forward to this treat immensely. Both girls always called in and had a cup of tea with them, and Molly never tired of hearing about the happenings at Forrester’s Folly. Every few minutes Molly would glance at the mantel clock impatiently until at last Bessie entered with Mary and Beatrice close on her heels.
    It was a dull overcast day with heavy rain-laden clouds dotting the sky, but Bessie’s smile was brilliant as she entered.
    ‘You’ll never guess in a month o’ Sundays what’s happened,’ she beamed, barely able to contain her excitement.
    Amy and Molly stared at her expectantly.
    ‘Our Mary is engaged,’ she announced, and Mary flushed.
    Amy hugged her delightedly. ‘Congratulations,’ she said, as Molly struggled stiffly from her chair to hug her too. ‘I don’t suppose the lucky chap would be Joe the stable lad you’re allus on about, would it?’ she teased.
    Mary blushed and nodded.
    ‘Well, that didn’t take much working out, did it? Why, a blind man on a galloping donkey could see that you two were made fer each other. I just wonder why it took yer both so long to get round to it. I was startin’ to fear you’d become an old maid.’
    Mary laughed, before telling her excitedly, ‘We had a word with the master yesterday and he’s going to let us live in one of the cottages within the grounds.’
    ‘That’s grand then, lass.’ Molly was genuinely pleased for her. ‘I just hope Joe appreciates what a lucky chap he is.’
    ‘Oh no, Molly, it’s me that’s lucky. I think I’ve loved Joe ever since the first day I set eyes on him, but I never thought he’d look at me.’
    Amy sighed dreamily, her young heart alight at the romance of it all.
    ‘Will you be having a white dress and a veil?’ she asked.
    Before Mary could answer, Bessie spoke for her. ‘Yes, she will,’ she said firmly and they all laughed. There was nothing quite like a wedding to lift everyone’s spirits, and it had come just at the right time.
    ‘How are things up at The Folly?’ asked Molly curiously.
    Mary frowned. ‘To be honest, apart from me, the rest o’ the staff rarely see the mistress at all now; she keeps to her own rooms much o’ the time. I overheard Cook sayin’ the other day that the master’s sorely worried about her. As I once told you, it’s been years now since the master ordered Jessica, the daughter, out o’ the house, and the mistress has been going steadily downhill ever since, which is why he promoted me to fetch an’ carry for her. She’s a kindly lady though, an’ I like workin’ for her.’
    ‘Poor soul,’ said Molly. ‘Have yer never found out why he threw the young mistress out?’
    Mary shook her head. ‘It’s more than yer job’s worth to even mention her name in front o’ the master,’ she confided. ‘Mind you, there’s the other madam, Miss Eugenie, Master Adam’s wife – now there’s one I’d like to see go. I reckon as even he’s getting sick of her tantrums now. He stays away from the house more and more. He’s either out riding on his horse, Pepperpot, or it’s rumoured that he’s taken to drinking – when he isn’t working in his hat shop, that is. Not that you can blame him. That one could make a saint turn to drink from what I’ve seen of her.’
    ‘Sounds to me like Mr Forrester’s got his hands full and no mistake,’ Molly said sadly. ‘But then happen things wouldn’t have turned out as they