Rebecca felt the stares of the others; she certainly had their full attention now. ‘As well as your standard duties, you and Sam,’ she said, pointedly looking towards the young groom, who rewarded her with an impressed grin, ‘act as gamekeepers and gardeners as well?’
‘Gardener’s a fancy word, ma’am,’ Sam laughed until Tim elbowed him in the ribs. ‘Wha’ I means to say is that we do wha’ we can, Mrs Hardwicke, ma’am. Only, Tim and I ain’t proper trained. Greggy...Gregory...he knows a bit about roses, and he helps out, too.’
‘From what I’ve heard you’ve done very well indeed. I will enjoy a visit to the gardens when you have a moment. And, yes, Gregory,’ she said, turning her attention to the footman. ‘I hear you assist with the gardens—and, of course, serve alongside Mr Brown.’
‘Yes, Mrs Hardwicke.’
‘Excellent. And you are Mrs Murray, I presume?’ Rebecca continued, turning to the cook, who managed to close her mouth just in time. ‘Thornhallow’s famed chef.’
‘You tease, Mrs Hardwicke,’ Mrs Murray said, blushing nonetheless.
‘Not at all. I shared a cart with a certain Mr Hardy. Said you were the best cook in all of England.’
‘Tush!’
‘Well, I look forward to seeing him proved right, and to working with you. Once I am settled, perhaps you would be so kind as to take me through ordering and menus and such?’
‘With pleasure, Mrs Hardwicke.’
‘Betsy?’
The young scullery maid curtsied awkwardly, her eyes flitting between Rebecca and Mrs Murray.
‘Lovely to meet you. I’m sure you are quite invaluable to Mrs Murray.’ A terrified half-smile was her response, so Rebecca moved on to Lizzie. ‘And, Lizzie, you and I have already met. I am sure you will become quite invaluable to me.’
‘As you say, ma’am,’ the girl said, clearly unconvinced, exchanging a glance with Gregory.
‘Splendid. Now, I want you all to know I am here for whatever you need. From what I can see you have things well in hand, but once I get my bearings I’m sure we can find ways to make improvements here and there.’
They all resumed their disbelieving, unconvinced air, any ground she had gained instantly lost with the notion ofimprovements. No matter.
‘Lastly, I will say this: I am here to stay. I know none of you believe that, but I will prove it, and myself, to you. I will never ask you to do a job I wouldn’t do or haven’t done. I will respect your opinions and trust you. I ask only that you grant me the same courtesy.’
Rebecca pointedly turned her attention to Mr Brown, at whom she had intentionally avoided looking throughout the introduction. He looked as stiff and proud as ever, but she sensed nonetheless that his feelings were increasingly conflicted. Beneath his disapproval she was sure lay a tiny, infinitesimal flicker of hope.
I will win you over yet. I will win you all over...
‘Well, thank you for that...invigoratingintroduction, Mrs Hardwicke,’ the butler said with a hint of condescension as he stepped out of the line. ‘Now, let us allow Mrs Hardwicke to settle in; we all have plenty else to see to.’
With nods, glances and the occasional smile—Mrs Murray’s being the broadest and warmest—everyone shuffled out of the servants’ hall, back to their own worlds.
Mr Brown waited until they had all departed before approaching Rebecca.
‘They are a lovely bunch,’ she said jovially. ‘And seem very dedicated.’
‘Indeed they are, Mrs Hardwicke. Shall I take you on a tour?’ The man looked as though he had about as much desire to do so as to visit Pandemonium.
‘Actually, Mr Brown, I thought I might explore myself...get my bearings. I am sure you have much to do of more importance than showing me around.’
‘As you wish. Dinner is at seven,’ he said, heading for the door. ‘A word to the wise, Mrs Hardwicke. Though I am sure your entrepreneurial spirit has served you well in the past, if you are to call Thornhallow home, heed this: things are as they are for a reason.’
‘Thank you for your solicitude, Mr Brown. I shall certainly bear that in mind.’
The butler inclined his head politely and disappeared down the corridor.
‘Things are as they are for a reason...’
Perhaps that was true. But that didn’t mean things were as theyshouldbe. This house might be functioning, but there was something more to it... Something out of sorts that needed to be set right, and she would find out what. Rebecca was not the sort simply to leave everything as it was because it workedwell enough—where was the fun in that?
