It didn’t seem like Frederick to do something as callous as forcing a widow from her own room. “There must be some mistake. I will move at once.” She looked around for something to wear, but everything was unfamiliar. Her trunk had not been brought up yet, and she didn’t know how her new clothes were organized in the spacious dressing room. Thank goodness, she had Sarah to help her navigate through the wardrobes and chests, but Sarah wasn’t there. “Oh, there’s no need to move now.” But Alice’s tone belied her words. “As the new countess, I am certain you will do as you see fit.” Jane tore open the doors of the other wardrobes, looking for a corset, petticoats…anything. “I have no intention of changing things, Alice. I’m sure you have everything the way it ought to be.” The towel hung awkwardly on her, and she gripped it with her hands. She swept a heavy wet strand of hair from her face. “Frederick was looking forward to our meeting. He…he thinks we will be as sisters.”
