‘Where I have been it has suited perfectly. So, Thomas, tell me.’ He took a seat at the dressing table and leaned back, ready for the butler’s ministrations. ‘Mrs Hardwicke, what do you make of her? I fell upon her sleeping in the library last evening. Not what I expected, I dare say.’
‘I see. Yes, well, she asked, and I thought there would be no harm in her making use of the library... It seemed a shame... She must’ve—’
‘Come, Thomas, if that is the worst of her vices I think we are quite fortunate. What I wish to know is how she is managing, as housekeeper.’
‘Well, my lord,’ Mr Brown said slowly, pondering his words carefully whilst he undertook restoring his master to a gentleman. ‘She is certainly...unconventional. Then again, since your departure, conventional housekeepers seem to have...how shall I put it...’
‘Failed miserably, Thomas? Do not mince your words,’ Liam ordered, glancing at the man.
Thomas hesitated. He was a proper butler, through and through, and bleak, unrestrained honesty in the face of his lord was not something the man was built for.
‘Come, now, you’ve known me since I was a babe,’ Liam coaxed. ‘Tiptoeing around matters will not do. We are alone, Thomas, so out with it.’
‘My lord, since youdeparted, well, the situation has been...complicated.’
The old butler sighed and Liam winced. The overt diplomacy was an attempt to dissimulate how truly terrible things had been, and Liam cursed himself for having convinced himself they could ever be otherwise.
‘None of Mrs Hardwicke’s predecessors had the stomach, nor the prescience to understand what Thornhallow needed. Not only to survive, but to thrive, without your guiding hand. We all tried, best we could, my lord, however... Well... How to say this?’
‘Just say it, man!’
‘We are all loyal to you,’ he said, gently wiping off the last specks of shaving soap from Liam’s face. ‘And, as such, we have followed your orders.’
Liam straightened, studying the man intently as he attempted to decipher his meaning. As Thomas busied himself cleaning and stowing away thetoiletteinstruments, unwilling to meet the master’s eye, understanding began to dawn.
‘Are you saying that Mrs Hardwicke has not, in fact, obeyed my orders?’
The butler’s silence and momentary pause were answer enough.
‘Where is she?’ he growled.
‘I believe Mrs Hardwicke is in the West Wing this morning, my lord,’ Thomas said sheepishly. ‘But I pray you to understand—’
He was stopped short by a raised hand. Without another word, Liam threw on his clothes, grabbed the cravat and jacket which had been laid out, and stormed off in search of his new, disobedient employee.
Though he would never admit it, Liam was more frustrated and angry with himself than with her. He had encouraged Thomas to speak freely, and so he had. And Liam had been forced to face his own inadequacy. Thornhallow needed a firm hand, and he had abandoned it. Mrs Hardwicke, on the other hand, was apparently more than happy to take the reins.
Who is she to disobey me?he raged silently, throwing on his jacket.
Who was she to know what was best for this house? The impudence! He couldn’t believe Thomas had been privy to—nay, nearly praised—such insolence! He cared not for the house—could no one understand that? He paid everyone handsomely to keep it as he commanded, without question. Their duties were minimal, compared to other estates, and they were handsomely rewarded. Was unfaltering loyalty too much to ask?
Liam cursed her as he angrily, and very messily, tied his cravat. He should have known she was trouble when he’d seen her last night, lounging in the library as though she belonged there, stirring appetites long dormant. And where was she now? The West Wing!
Doing God only knows what, he thought, marching through the corridors, searching for the traitor.
Then an unfamiliar sound caught his attention and he stopped.
Singing.
His hand clenched, and he stood there a moment, unable to move.
‘Ne pars donc pas, mon amour...’the voice sang.
So don’t leave me, my love...
There had not been singing in this house for ten years, and even before then it had been a very rare occasion indeed. Was this yet another ghost sent to torment him?
No, this was no ghost, but a woman.
