MESSED UP

"Just to see Adelaide?"

"Yes," Louisa nodded, "Only to see Adelaide."

Looking at the woman, Louisa thought that what she'd just mouthed was the flicker. It caused the housekeeper to immediately shake off her sad thoughts. Mrs. Phellipe quickly wrapped a grim look over her face. "You want to stay out there with the lower servants?"

A simple nod was all her answer.

Mrs. Phellipe pushed back her head, letting her brows pinch themselves. "If I understand you correctly, you want to give up staying inside this house to go be at the servants' dormitory?"

Louisa shook her head again, mouthing nothing.

"What impression would you want Adelaide to have? And has Mr. Blenntmort been well informed about this?"

"He has," said Louisa. "We talked about it on my way here."

"Well I cannot be too sure," Mrs. Phellipe insisted and faced forward to resume her walk. "I must run it by him first. If he gives me the go-ahead, I will let you know. You just stay on in that room until I've confirmed it."