‘If an order is wrong, it is one’s duty to disobey.’
‘And why is it, may I ask, thatyouare cleaning grates, Mrs Hardwicke?’ Liam demanded, changing the subject as his ire rose again with the realisation of just how right she was. ‘That is what maids are for, Mrs Hardwicke, not housekeepers. How, I wonder, are you to be respected if you demean yourself thus?’
This time it was Liam who was graced with a look that might have felled Hannibal.Henearly cowered then, as she rose to her full height, eyes flashing with unrestrained anger, cheeks flushed and arms dropping as her fists clenched.
‘One gains the respect of those who work for them not by demanding it,my lord, but by earning it,’ she seethed. ‘I doubt anyone would reproach me for doing a job for which I am trained and have time. Particularly when the only two maids we have are well-enough occupied, and we cannot hire any more. For it seems,my lord, that no one will work in this accursed house. Besides, as you so aptly pointed out, I am the one who ignored the orders, therefore it is my responsibility.’
They stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills for a very long moment, during which time Liam noted several things.
First, he noted that she was likely one of the tallest women he’d ever met, with the tip of her head coming nearly to his nose. A very disconcerting fact indeed, as it undermined his ability to, quite literally,lordover her as he so wished to do just now.
Secondly, he noted that she had smudges of ash on her cheeks, which he decided added to her overall resemblance to some ancient Celtic warrior.
And finally, he noted that he was, as she had so adamantly pointed out, very wrong on all counts, and for the first time in many years he felt as though he were a boy again, being chastised for having caused trouble.
His anger, frustration and aggravation at this new housekeeper’s disregard for his orders, and indeed at the sheer insolence of her, had faded. Now he was simply standing there staring, unwilling to concede, but unable to find a way out of the argument.
So Liam crossed his arms and cocked his head, waiting for her to realise just how far out of bounds she was. It wasn’t much, and it wasn’t in the least fair play, but it was, at that moment, his only way to preserve some semblance of authority.
He saw the dawning in her eyes, the flicker of hesitation, the understanding of just how unseemly her behaviour had been, and he would even have sworn she muttered some very choice, and very unladylike, swear words under her breath before her eyes finally turned away. Bowing her head, she took a step back, and seemed then to shrivel into the role of lowly, dutiful, subservient employee, complete with hunched shoulders and downcast eyes.
Liam decided he didn’t like her this way at all, and chastised himself for having been such a proud and irrational boor.
‘You will continue to do as you please, won’t you, Mrs Hardwicke?’ Liam asked, unable to stop an amused smile from appearing on his lips.
‘I fear so, my lord,’ she said matter-of-factly. ‘I understand if you must dismiss me, particularly after that display. I have no excuses. I’m sure I don’t know what came over me.’
‘How long have you been here, Mrs Hardwicke?’
‘Three weeks, my lord.’
‘And do you recall, I wonder,’ Liam asked casually, ‘how many housekeepers have come to Thornhallow before you?’
‘Twenty-one, my lord.’
‘A rather impressive record, I think. Now, did Leonards tell you, perchance, how many applicants there were along with you?’
‘No, my lord.’
‘No, I don’t suppose he would. None,’ Liam mused, hoping she might dare look at him again, though sadly she did not, seemingly intent on playing her role to the letter now. ‘Only one applicant this time, Mrs Hardwicke.You.So, you see, I shall not dismiss you—for now. Though you are right in that you certainly deserve nothing less.’
‘Thank you, my lord,’ she said softly. ‘It shall not happen again.’
‘Indeed, I should hope not,’ he lied. ‘Now, would you be so kind as to attend me in my study in half an hour? So that we might discuss the running of this accursed house civilly?’
‘Yes, my lord.’
‘And by the way, Mrs Hardwicke,’ he said nonchalantly, turning for the door again. ‘I tend to enjoy the library in the evening. Therefore if you could borrow any book you wish to, then sample it in your own quarters, I would appreciate it.’
Liam stopped to enjoy the embarrassed look that came upon her, rendering her speechless, but returning some of the life he’d so carelessly snuffed out to her eyes, and bringing a rather lovely flush to her cheeks.
‘Half an hour, Mrs Hardwicke.’
Liam left her thus and strode out victorious.
He had enjoyed that little encounter much more than he should have. Despite the fact the woman was irritating, infuriating and disrespectful in every possible way, at least she’d held her own. Though he might not agree with her, or her methods, hedidhave to admit—at least to himself—that she was right. Whatever his feelings about this place, ignoring it, and letting it fall into ruin, was not the answer.
Perhaps if he had the courage he would set a match to it, but then, he knew better than to think he ever could. Besides, if he was to rid himself of the place, one way or another, tidying it wouldn’t hurt. And, as she had pointed out, it was her time to do with as she pleased. If she was intent on cleaning, what business was it of his? As long as the rest of her duties were seen to, what did he care that she scraped at grates and scrubbed floors?
