“I understand. Of course.” Cassie considered walking a good idea. “After our tea and restorative, I shall take everyone on a small tour of the castle—the first of several tours, most likely. The castle is a warren. Agnes, do not think to wander about yet.”
“No, miss. I won’t.”
Mr. Gallagher followed Lord Lakehurst into the room and brought a bottle of brandy.
“Mrs. Gallagher will be along directly with your tea, my lady,” he said as he set the bottle on a table at her elbow.
“Agnes, in that cupboard to the right of you are the brandy glasses. Can you bring enough for all here?”
“There are only four here,” she said, pulling the glasses out of the cupboard and setting them on its top.
Cassie frowned. “There should be eight in the cupboard. Mr. Gallagher, where are the rest of the brandy glasses?”
“Oh, ah, most likely in the butler’s pantry. I’ll fetch them directly,” he said hurriedly.
Lakehurst laughed as he sat down in a chair by the fireplace.
“Yes, you may laugh. The thought already occurred to me that they have made free with the castle to their benefit,” Cassie said wryly.
He shrugged. “Understandable. Not, perhaps, what we would like; however, understandable.”
“What is the state of the stable?”
“Much better than I expected. That deaf man Ellinbourne told me about has things well in hand. Seemed to understand what needed to be done and got to it quick enough. I have no worries for our livestock.”
“Good. That is a relief. Carlyle is a good retainer and has been with the Tidemark family for a long time. He sat Richard on his first horse. Richard made sure to include him in his will to ensure his future.”
Mrs. Gallagher brought in the missing brandy glasses with the tea cart.
“Thank you, Mrs. Gallagher,” Cassie said stiffly, not comfortable with the woman.
“We brought food provisions from the village,” Lakehurst said. “I set the basket inside the front door. There is still luggage to unload from the carriage; but that can wait until all have had something to eat and drink.”
“Very good, my lord,” said a much more subdued Mrs. Gallagher. “I’ll see to the rooms now,” she softly told Cassie.
Cassie nodded. “The rose bedroom for Lady Guinevere, I think, and the brown and burgundy room for Lord Lakehurst. There will be more servants coming in the next two days and then we can expect seven additional guests to join us, including Mr. and Mrs. Tidemark.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Tidemark?” the housekeeper repeated, her eyes wide.
Cassie thought she looked a little flustered.
“Yes, along with Richard’s cousin, Mr. Stillworth and others.”
“Mr. Tidemark ain’t been here since he married,” she said.
“I know. However, as guardian of my son’s interests, I have told him he needs to take a more active role in managing the estate. We probably won’t see much of him while he is here, as I expect he will need to examine the estate books.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she responded hurriedly. “I’d best get to the rooms now.”
“Yes. But don’t forget to take the foodstuffs to the kitchen first.”
“Right away.” She curtsied again and left, nearly running from the room.
“That was rather a change of manners,” Gwinnie observed.
“A guilty change of manners,” said Lakehurst.
Cassie nodded.
