*
The following morning the whole castle was a-flutter, as everybody, including his Lordship, was to depart for London immediately after an early luncheon.
There was a mountain of trunks to be carried downstairs to travel in the brake drawn by six horses.
They would also take with them the lady’s maids and the valets of the visiting guests.
By some clever contrivance on Mrs. Davison’s part, Shenda was not to travel with the other servants, but instead was to go to London in a travelling chariot with Mrs. Davison herself.
“I have to purchase,” she had said firmly, “some new linen for The Castle and I’ve no intention of allowing anyone to choose it but myself, knowing where her late Ladyship always shopped and where she obtained the very best linen.”
She smiled as she spoke, and Shenda
