Free Catch Me If You Can by Juliette Cosway Page A

chaperone.” 
    Eleanor cast her eyes down and pressed her lips together determinedly. “I’ve anticipated your concerns. You needn’t worry yourself unduly. I intend to travel with my school friend who frequently visits her family in Europe. You remember Miette?”
    Mrs. Bramley nodded. A quick roll of her eyes toward the heavens indicated she thought Eleanor’s choice of traveling companion would not overly ease her concern. One visit to Oaklands two years earlier had convinced the housekeeper the young French lady was never going to be a stabilizing influence.
    “Miette is visiting with her Mama in Paris at the moment. She’s married now, and lives most of the year in New York. I wrote to her and suggested I join her on her next voyage. I received her reply by telegraph today and she’s booking my passage to travel with her. We are leaving on the twentieth.”  She paused. “That gives us a week to organize everything here.”
    Eleanor hoped the mention of a friend would allay Mrs. Bramley’s fears, and she wouldn’t think about the journey beyond New York, which she fully intended to manage alone.
    Mrs. Bramley frowned. “You won’t be here for Christmas?”
    “No, and I think that’s best. Christmas here without my father would be a painful time.”
    Mrs. Bramley nodded.
    “I want you shut up the house and spend the season with your sister in Dorset.”
    Mrs. Bramley nodded again. “Thank you, Miss Eleanor, for your kind thoughts. It’s true, it won’t be a happy house this Christmas…and I’ve not seen my sister and the little ones since the summer” She gave a deep sigh. “I wish I could discourage you, but I know in my heart you will need the family connection your Aunt Frieda can give you, at this difficult time.”
    “That’s it exactly,” murmured Eleanor. “Frieda and Mr. Rivers will be on their way back to California by now, and I’ve written to her there, as well as the last address I had for them in Italy, to inform her…” She swallowed, for it was still not easy to say it aloud. “Of my father’s death, and my intentions to visit.”
    Mrs. Bramley nodded. “Will you at least take Alice with you? A lady such as yourself cannot travel without a maid.”
    Eleanor smiled at her. “Now you know I managed well without the services of a maid when I was traveling abroad with father. However, if it will make you rest easier I’ll take Alice as far as the hotel in Southampton. I’m sure they’ll have maids aboard ship. In any case, Miette is bound to have her maid with her – don’t worry Mrs. Bramley, I shall manage.” 
    “You will be gone a long while?” The old woman’s eyes were misting.
    “I’m not sure exactly. I’ll write often, Mrs. Bramley, and I’ll return. I promise you that.” She reached out and took hold of the housekeeper’s hand. “I’ve spoken with Lord Brooks and he has agreed to oversee the tenants and the land in my absence. I’ll leave the house in your capable hands. You can contact Lord Brooks or Lady Lavinia Brooks should there be any unexpected problems that you cannot deal with. All the accounts can be sent direct to Mr. Wimpole, at his office in Brighton. He will ensure the servants and workers are paid. Jake will continue take care of the stables.” She stood, and rested her hand on Mrs. Bramley’s shoulder before she left the room, leaving her until the following day, when they would have to be busy with preparations.
     
    * * *
     
    In her study, she picked up her map of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, meaning to study it again before she slept. The routes were engrained on her memory, but she was a devoted student of her chosen subject and she planned to leave nothing to chance. Before she retired, she went to the dining room and poured herself a glass of brandy to warm her bones. Looking up at the portrait of her mother, and beside it that of her father, she gave a deep sigh. She never outgrew the regret that she’d not known her