I must have drifted off to sleep, for suddenly, I was awoken by a heart rending scream from outside.

“What on earth...?” I thought as I leapt from my bed and pulled open the curtains, remembering to fasten my robe before doing so.

All about the courtyard, windows were lit and faces appearing. Again, the scream from out of sight, around the side of the house.

As fast as my legs would carry me, I ran from my room and down the stairs, almost knocking Lady Helen and Melissa flying in my haste to find what was going on.

Nothing was said and the three of us ran out the door and around to where we thought the screams had emanated.

The windows shed a dull glow on the gravel around the house and, as we ran around the corner, we all slowed our pace. It was darker than in the court yard but clearly there was nothing to be seen.

“Help me, Please!” the voice screamed out again, “Someone, anyone!”

We were being joined by people from all over the house now. A man's voice called from the corner ahead.

“Over here, quickly!”

I ran around the corner and saw a small out-building in front of which I saw the outline of a young woman, a maid, frantically pointing into the doorway. It was Bethany.

I ran to her.

“Whatever is it?” I asked, in panic now, “What is wrong?”

“Oh, Miss Victoria, it's Maggie, in there!” she pointed into the darkness of what I now realised was the coal shed.

By this time a soldier had arrived with a lantern and shone it into the darkness.

I clapped my hand to my mouth.

Maggie was lying against the stack of coal, unmoving. Her clothes were torn and she was covered in dried blood.

I went inside at the same moment as Philomena appeared and together we knelt beside the prone figure.

Philomena lifted Maggie's wrist and placed two fingers over the front, seeking a sign of life.

“Is she...? I was afraid to ask, not daring to breathe in case the answer was not what I wanted to hear.

A few moments passed as Nurse Watson moved her fingers slightly to try to find a pulse.

“I can't find it,” she said, a hint of desperation creeping into her voice.

Letting go of Maggie's hand, she moved her fingers to her neck.

“Ah, got it!” she said. “She is alive but her pulse is very weak. We must get her to inside at once.”

Philomena quickly checked her for any obvious injuries that would prevent her being moved and then called out:

“A stretcher, here, now!”.

Almost immediately two orderlies appeared carrying a canvas stretcher. I stepped out to give them space and in no time at all, Maggie was outside and being carried quickly around to the front door and straight into the makeshift theatre which had been set up in what had been the main dining room of the house.

As Philomena went to pass through the door I asked her, “Is there anything I can do?”

She paused and looked at me for a second.

“No,” she said eventually, then changed her mind. “Yes, actually. There is.” she smiled. “Go and look after Bethany. She has had a terrible shock tonight. I am sure she will be glad of your company.”

“Oh, yes, of course,” I said and quickly turned and ran back to the East wing.

On arrival, I saw that the dining room was awash with light so I went straight in.

Lady Helen was seated at the table beside Bethany, and Melissa was pouring a brandy for each of them.

Bethany was sobbing her heart out and the sight made my eyes begin to fill. Aunt Helen looked up as I entered.

“Is she all right?” I asked, wiping the moisture from my eyes with my fingers.

“Yes, she will be.” My aunt smiled, her faced etched with sadness.

“What about you, Aunt Helen. Are you all right?”

I went over to her and stood between the two of them, taking the glass that Melissa was holding out to me.

“I don't honestly know, Victoria,” she replied, taking my outstretched hand in hers. “Who would do such a thing?”

Silence reigned. I had my suspicions but without proof I could say nothing.

The brandy burned as I sipped and made me cough violently. This was my first experience of alcohol but soon, the heat began to spread throughout my body, beginning from my stomach and it was immediately soothing and calming. I swallowed some more.

It occurred to me that in all the hubbub I had seen nothing of Charlie Manston.

“I don't know,” was my simple answer.

“It can't be one of my girls, surely... could it?” She looked up at me, her eyes filled with worry. “I have always tried to be firm but fair with them. Have I allowed too much freedom?”

I looked at Melissa. She too was upset but Bethany was distraught.

“I am sure it wasn't, Aunt Helen.” I tried to reassure her and stepped forwards, resting my hand gently upon her shoulder.

“Bethany is very upset, should I take her to her bed and settle her?” I suggested.

Both Lady Helen and Melissa looked at Bethany. She had calmed somewhat now, the brandy having done it's job.

Bethany seemed to return to reality and she looked up at me, her eyes red and moist from crying.

“Will she be all roight, Miss?” a pause, “Maggie oi mean.”

“I honestly do not know, Bethany. She was alive but not conscious when I last saw her. She is in a very bad state but she is in the best place possible. Sister Watson has sent an orderly for Doctor Harris. If anyone can help her, he can.”

She began to sob quietly again, so I crouched beside her.

“Come on then,” I said softly, putting my arm around her shoulder and coaxing her to her feet, “I will get you to bed. You need to rest.”

I took Bethany's arm and guided her slowly but firmly towards the door but not before pausing to kiss Lady Helen on the cheek and saying:

“Try to get some sleep, Aunt Helen, nothing can be done until morning.”

She took my hand and looked up at me.

“You are a good girl, Victoria,” she said, “Your parents would have been very proud of you tonight, as am I.”

She gave my hand a little squeeze then released me to take Bethany to her room.

As we climbed the wide staircase it occurred to me that I had absolutely no idea where Bethany slept.

“Where is your room?” I asked her.

“Oh, it's roight at the top o' the 'ouse, Miss. There's another staircase at the end o' your landing.” She paused for a moment, thinking, then:

“Miss Victoria, Oi know it is wrong o' me to even ask such a thing but do you think... well, would you moind if..., Oi mean, oi unnerstan' if no but, well...”

I waited, not wanting to make it more difficult for to ask but in the end I said, “What do you want to ask, Bethany? I will not bite you know.”

“Oi don't wanna be alone, Miss,” She blurted out. “Not now, not with Maggie being... well, you know...”

“I understand entirely, Bethany. Would you like me to ask Sally or Melissa to stay with you?”

“Oh no, Miss. Melissa will be looking after Lady Helen and oi don't want to be a burden on Sally, she has so much to deal with...” She paused again then looked directly into my eyes, almost silently pleading, like a lost puppy. “Could oi stay wi' you Miss, please...? Just for t'noight.”

I smiled. How could I refuse her. She had had a terrible shock finding Maggie in the coal house.

“All right, Bethany.” I squeezed her arm, “I will look after you for tonight.”

“Oh, Thank you, Miss Victoria, Thank you so much.”

Seeing her in this state was breaking my heart. I would be happy to help her through this awful night so, instead of passing my door we stopped whilst I turned the knob and opened it. The light was still on as I had not stopped to turn it off when I heard Bethany scream.

“Now then,” I began, “whilst you undress, I will go to your room and fetch your night attire. Where shall I find it?”

“Oh Miss!” Bethany put her hand to her cheek, “Oi dint think. Oi don't 'ave any...”

“You sleep naked?” I asked, not a little shocked. I had never even considered such a thing before.

“Yes, Miss, Oi do. Oi 'ave never worn anything in bed, ever.”

“Oh well, you had better borrow one of my nightdresses then, if you don't mind, of course.”

“Oi don't moind, Miss but are you sure you don't?” she looked so sad I would have lent her a ball gown if she had wanted it just then.

I smiled as my heart melted even more.

“Come on now.” I said gently, “Let's get you out of those clothes and into bed. You need to rest, and it is very late.”

She removed her apron and little white cotton cap then began to unbutton her dress. As her fingers worked, unfastening each of the little grey buttons, I noticed that she wore no underwear.

I didn't mention it though.

I didn't want her to worry any more than she already was.

The dress slipped from her shoulders, and she stood and looked around for somewhere to put it.

I took it from her and went to the closet to hang it and find a nightdress for her.

I couldn't help but notice how lovely she looked. Naked save for her stockings and shoes, she looked so vulnerable and lost. Her tear streaked face so pretty but sad.

From the closet I could see her sitting on the chair to remove those shoes and stockings. She released the little bow at the top of each and rolled them down her legs, slipping them off the end of her toes and draping them over the back of the chair.

I went back into the room with no nightdress.

“If you wish to sleep naked, Bethany, I don't mind. What ever makes you more comfortable.”

She looked up at me as I slipped my robe off my shoulders and smiled.

Frowning, I looked down to see what was making her smile.

“Oh gosh!” I exclaimed, I had completely forgotten! In the excitement it had slipped my mind that I had not finished dressing after giving Melissa her punishment!

I quickly covered myself again then thought, why not? So much had happened tonight, laying naked with Bethany may just be what we both needed.

“Come on,” I said, throwing the robe over the footboard of the bed, “It is late.”

I took her hand and led her to the bed. She climbed in and lay still while I pulled the covers over her then walked around to the other side and got in beside her.

We lay still for a few moments.

“Sleep well, Bethany,” I said eventually but already she was breathing heavily as sleep overtook her.

I turned onto my side, facing her then, switching out the light with the cord by the bed, I cuddled up to her, my arm over her waist and before long, drifted of into into a sleep filled with visions of poor Maggie laying on the coal stack.

I don't think I had slept long when I was awoken to Bethany tossing and turning as she slept. She kept saying 'no,no.' I imagined she must be dreaming and stroked her hair, trying to calm her without disturbing her sleep.

Suddenly she gave a little shout and sat upright, her eyes darting wildly about the room.

“Bethany, sshhh, there there, I am here.” I tried to calm her and slowly she realised where she was.

“Oh, Miss Victoria,” she cried, “It were 'orrible. Oi keep seeing her lyin' in the dark!”

“Don't worry,” I reassured her, “I am here. Try to relax and sleep again. If you want to hold me, don't be afraid to.”

“Oh, Miss, thank you. Oi don't know what oi would 'ave been loike on moi own.”

We settled down again, and I turned away from her. Immediately she put her arms around me and fitted herself into the contours of my body, like two spoons in the cutlery drawer.

I sighed and couldn't help but push my bottom back against her groin. It felt so nice to share my bed for the first time in my life, even in such circumstances and, once again, sleep overtook me but this time there were no bad visions, just a contented, peaceful sleep.

I awoke to the sound of knocking on my door.

“What is it?” I called out.

“It is Melissa, Miss Victoria. May I speak to you please?”

“One moment.” I called again and reached to the end of the bed for my robe. I then sat up and pulled the covers higher over Bethany who was only now beginning to stir.

“All right, come in.”

The door opened and Melissa entered the room.

“I am sorry to disturb you so early,” she said, “only I have some bad news.”

“ Bad news?” I repeated her words. “You mean...?”

“I am afraid so. Sister Watson told Lady Helen this morning that Maggie never regained consciousness. Doctor Harris worked through the night and did everything he could, but she was so badly beaten that even he could not save her. She passed away this morning just after daybreak.”

The sound of sobbing came from under the bedclothes.

“Miss?” Melissa frowned.

I pulled back the covers to reveal a desperately sobbing Bethany. She turned to me and buried her head in my side. I put my arm around her and held her tightly.

“I couldn't leave her alone last night. She was so upset.”

Melissa smiled.

“No Miss Victoria. I am glad she is with you.” She waited briefly, looking at the pitiful sight of the maid, body heaving as she sobbed uncontrollably. “There is more I'm afraid Miss.”

“More?” I queried. How could there possibly be more?

“Yes Miss, I'm afraid so,” Melissa continued. “Lady Helen was obliged to call the Police as it seems this is murder.”

“Oh my Lord!” I gasped. Murder was the last thing on my mind.

“She requests that you be available to talk to them if they need you too.” she looked again at Bethany. “I think they will want to speak to her too as she found Maggie last night.”

There was silence again. Broken only by the now gentle sobbing from beside me.

“Would you like me to look after her, Miss?”

I look down at the sorry figure lying beside me.

“No, it is all right, Melissa. I think she would be happy if I take care of her.”

Suddenly, Bethany stopped crying and sat up.

“Oh, Mistress, no! It is moi place to look after you. Oi will go with Melissa. You have done so much for me already.” and she threw back the covers and went to jump out of bed, seemingly oblivious to the fact that she was completely naked.

I grabbed her arm before she got too far.

“Bethany,” I said, firmly but gently. “There are no 'places' at a time like this. You have had a terrible shock, we all have and I do not expect you to deal with it alone. I am sure that Aunt Helen would agree, don't you, Melissa?”

As I spoke the final words I looked up at older housekeeper. She smiled back at me and nodded in agreement.

“Yes, she certainly would,” she said. “All right Miss, I shall leave her in your seemingly capable hands. What should I tell Lady Helen?”

I looked at the clock. It showed just six O'clock,

“Tell her I will down for breakfast at seven if that is all right.”

“I will tell her, Miss. She has not slept all night so I expect she will already be there by then.”

I looked carefully at Melissa. She also did not seem to have slept much either.

“Melissa...” I began. “Is Aunt Helen all right?”

A cloud seemed to pass over Melissa's face.

“In truth, Mistress, I do not think she is. This has knocked her for six. You see, she has always thought of the servants as her family and treated us so well. She is blaming herself for what has happened, even though we don't know what has actually happened.”

“Well, we will sort ourselves out and be down as soon as we can.”

“Thank you, Miss Victoria. Although she would never say so, I am sure that Lady Helen would be very grateful for your company. I know she thinks very highly of you.”

Melissa smiled then turned and left.

“Well then, Bethany. I suppose we had better put on a brave face and see what the day will bring.”

She smiled back at me.

“Miss Victoria,” she said,”Thank you for what you are doin' for me. Oi know you don't feel about me as oi do about you but oi am ever so grateful.” and she leaned across the bed and kissed me gently on the cheek.

I stroked her face softly.

“Come on then,” I said. “Onwards and upwards.”

I stepped out of the bed and followed Bethany into the bathroom.

“Wait a minute, Miss Victoria, oi will get some 'ot water,” and before I had a chance to answer she had disappeared through the opposite door only to reappear seconds later.

“Oi forgot, Oi aren't dressed!” and she ran past me to get her clothes from the closet.

She returned moments later, dressed now, and once again disappeared through the door. When she returned she was carrying a large pitcher of steaming hot water and tipped it into the bath tub then repeated the process twice more.

There was not really time for a good soak so, once the temperature was right, she bid me to climb into the water.

I shook my head.

“No,” I said, “You enjoy the water. You need to relax before the trying day you have ahead of you.”

“But Miss...” Bethany protested..

“Uhuh, no buts.” I held my hand up to stifle any more argument.

Resignedly, she undid the buttons of her dress and again stepped out of it and into the hot, clear water and sat down. She gave an audible sigh as the heat helped drive away the stress she was enduring.

“Now, time is very short so do you mind if I share the water with you?” I asked. I already guessed what the answer would be and sure enough Bethany agreed and bent her knees up to give me some space.

I unfastened my robe and slid the smooth fabric from my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor, then stepped over the side of the tub and sat in the water at the opposite end.

“Oi 'aven't shared a bath before.” she said, and was actually blushing.

“Don't worry,” I smiled, “neither have I.”

To be continued,,,