“Norton,” Lakehurst called out. “Please see these gentlemen started on the tasks we discussed this morning.”
“Right away, my lord. With this many hands we should have the buildings serviceable quickly, I’d say.” He looked at the men, then gestured for them to follow him. “Lady Darkford wants a dairy again, so’s that will be our first task. There’s also a pantry to clean out, a chicken house repaired, and the stable roof repaired. That’s what I knows so far fer a start.” They followed him as he led them back toward the stable.
Cassie and Gwinnie came out of the castle, followed by Agnes and Rose. Lakehurst almost laughed. Cassie and his sister looked much like the ladies from the village with aprons over their dresses and old cloths wrapped around their hair to keep the worst of the dust and cobwebs away.
“Reverend Fortesque,” Cassie said, “It’s been a long time. I’d say welcome, however, the interior of the castle is not fit for entertaining at the moment.” She looked at the women gathered. “Thank you all for coming! I’m ever so grateful to you. This is Gwinnie. If you can’t tell, she is Lord Lakehurst’s twin sister. And over here is Agnes and Rose. They came with us from London and have been doing the best they can. We certainly welcome you all! Half of you will accompany Agnes, who is working in the kitchen, dining, and other ground floor areas, and the other half, please follow Rose to work on the bed chambers. We are expecting company in a day or two and need the house ready! You will be well compensated for your efforts. If anyone would wish to stay on for the house party, please let Agnes or Rose know. I expect to be here a month for this visit. I can’t stay away from my son longer than that!”
The women murmured their thanks and followed Agnes and Rose.
“The young master did not come with you?” Reverend Fortesque asked.
Lakehurst thought he saw consternation in his eyes.
“No,” Cassie said with a sad smile. “He has gone on holiday with Lord Lakehurst’s and Gwinnie’s—I mean Lady Guinevere’s grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Malmsby,” she said.
“Lady Guinevere?” Mr. Fortesque repeated. He cocked his head to the side as he looked about.
“Yes, that would be me,” Gwinnie said, bouncing on her toes.
Lakehurst grinned as he looked at his sister. With an old cloth wrapped around her head to tie up her hair and a stained apron over her dress, she did not look like a duke’s daughter.
Mr. Fortesque stared at her. “Your father is…”
“The Duke of Malmsby,” she cheerfully supplied.
Mr. Fortesque looked at Lakehurst. “And you are the Duke’s heir?” he asked. “You didn’t mention that when we met yesterday.”
“I have that privilege and penance,” Lakehurst admitted, shrugging. He wondered at Mr. Fortesque’s reaction to knowledge of their societal position. It seemed… odd.
“Ah,” Mr. Fortesque said, nodding.
Lakehurst saw him look toward Cassie, his expression changing, smoothing out to unctuous pleasantry and curiosity. “I am gratified to see you have fallen in with good friends, my lady.”
“It wasn’t me, it was my brother, Miles. He is marrying a cousin of Lord Lakehurst and Lady Guinevere.”
“I see… Well, my felicitations on everything working out so well,” he said heartily. “Right now, I must get back to the church.”
“Thank you again for coming to our rescue with the workers. You must come for a visit when our other guests arrive.”
“Guests?” he asked politely.
“Besides my brother and his fiancée, Mr. Tidemark, Lord Darkford’s uncle, and Mr. Stillworth are coming.”
“Raymond Stillworth?” Mr. Fortesque clarified.
“Yes.”
He smiled. “Mr. Stillworth recommended me to Lord Darkford after the unfortunate death of the previous vicar, I was much appreciative as I had just returned from India where I served ministerial duties for the East India Company employees and needed to secure a new position upon my return to England.”
“Is that where you met Mr. Stillworth? In India?”
“Yes.”
“I remember when you came,” Cassie said. “Everyone was excited to have a permanent vicar living in the rectory again.”
He smiled. “Everyone was most welcoming.”
Lakehurst thought it was a perfunctory smile for it did not reach his pale eyes.
