Read Heaven Made for Free Online Page B

certain he can’t live
without Mrs. Tremaine’s services."
    "We should discuss this situation, I believe," Mr.
Roland said astutely.
    Sabrina was in complete agreement. "Yes, when would be
convenient for you?"
    "I understand you are having breakfast with the master
tomorrow?" Mr. Roland asked. Sabrina nodded, confirming his statement. "Well
then, after he goes off to his laboratory, we’ll gather for a tête-à-tête. I’ll
make sure that all the others are present. Delores, Mrs. Tremaine will be
residing in the yellow suite. It is the furthest from Mr. Northcliffe and has a
small spare room for Miss Alice. Until tomorrow, ladies." Mr. Roland bid
them adieu and took the freshly prepared dinner tray to his master.
    Alice finished her pie and was starting to doze off, when
Sabrina declared that it was time to retire to their rooms. Delores led them up
the servants’ stairs and showed them the grand suite that was now their new
domicile.
    "Oh my." Sabrina exclaimed as Alice raced past her
to inspect their new quarters. "This is even finer than my rooms at home."
    Sabrina was used to a life of ease and privilege, but this
was beyond what she had expected. She began to wonder uneasily if Ford had ties
to nobility. Suddenly, she felt gauche and uncomfortable. She would know soon
enough if she was out of her realm of comfort.
    "Mama," Alice said, fully awake now from the
excitement. "My room is just as nice as at Papa’s house. Come see."
    Sabrina took her daughter’s outstretched hand and followed
her to what normally would serve as a lady’s maid’s room. It was simple, snug
and appropriate for a girl Alice’s age. With a doll and some toys, it would be
perfect.
    "Let’s get you tucked in," Sabrina said, taking
Alice’s satchel and unpacking its meager contents. She pulled a muslin nightgown
out and laid it across the bed. "Hurry now. It’s very late and you should
have been in bed hours ago."
    Alice was still restless and Sabrina sighed as the little
girl bounded off to inspect the rest of the suite. First, the big bedroom that
would be Sabrina’s and then the small sitting room. It was all quite beautiful
and lavish. It was decorated in colors of gold, cream and yellow, done in
silks, damasks and other fine materials. The artwork and furniture all looked
to be French and of the highest quality and the same mixture of old and new
that seemed to be present throughout the grand mansion. Both she and Alice were
enthralled.
    "It’s even prettier than your old room, Mama." The
little girl was quite right.
    "We can look at it all tomorrow," Sabrina said,
trying to be firm, but she was too overwhelmed to be convincing. "Alice,
please. It’s time for bed."
    Alice complied, although she dragged her feet as she entered
her own room. "What will I do when you are working, Mama?"
    The question was something Sabrina had been thinking about
all day. What in the world would she do with Alice? The other servants couldn’t
possibly manage her all day, could they? And the child needed to keep up with
her lessons. It was all beginning to be too much for her to think about. Deciding
she would deal with it in the morning, after her meeting with Ford, Sabrina
simply told Alice that everything would work itself out. She hoped it would
anyway. She prayed it would.
    "Goodnight, Mama," Alice yawned. The long day was
finally catching up with the little girl.
    Sabrina tucked her into bed and kissed her forehead
affectionately. "Sweet dreams, my darling girl."
    Turning down all the gas lamps except for one near her own
bed, Sabrina began undressing. She had grown accustomed to doing without a
lady’s maid in the last few months. Without the fancy accessories she used to
adorn herself with, the process had become quite simple. Sitting at the vanity,
brushing her long dark hair, Sabrina allowed herself a moment of weakness. It
had been all she could do to not cry in front of Alice since they had fled
Gerald’s protection. What she had really