‘It sounds lovely.’
‘It is, only…’ Jane paused, as if she was trying to be tactful. ‘No offence to the marquess, but it can be a little uncomfortable. Everyone feels like they have to be on their best behaviour in case you-know-who tells tales on them.’
‘No!’
‘Yes! A couple of tenants almost lost their farms last year because their sons drank a little too much ale and got into a brawl over Agnes Tanner. Fitch reported it and the poor fathers had to come cap in hand to the steward’s office. The old marquess made them grovel for half an hour and then gave them a lecture on raising children. As if he had any idea.’ She snorted. ‘Begging your pardon.’
‘It’s all right. I met the marquess’s sister, Lady Brooke, in London and she told me something similar. She said she got away from him as soon as she could.’
‘I don’t blame her.’
‘Well, there won’t be any tale-telling this year.’ Florence nodded at her reflection in the mirror. ‘Or if there is, I’ll make sure the new marquess ignores it. Now what else can we do for the fair?’
‘Some music would be nice. Everyone would love some dancing.’
‘You haven’t had music before?’ She hoisted her eyebrows towards her hairline. ‘At a fair?’
‘Mrs Fitch says it leads to debauchery.’
‘Then we’ll definitely have some this year. Music, that is, not debauchery. Although we might have trouble finding musicians at such short notice.’
‘Leave that to me. My brother and his friends play their fiddles in the local tavern.’ Jane leaned forward eagerly. ‘They’re not an orchestra, but they’re pretty good.’
‘Perfect. Could you ask them?’
‘I’ll send one of the kitchen boys tonight with a message.’
‘Wonderful.’ Florence heaved a deep, gratified sigh. ‘We’re going to make this the best fair Rainton has ever had.’
Chapter Fifteen
‘Iunderstand what you’re saying…’ Florence clenched her teeth as she looked across the tea table at the housekeeper. It had only been twenty minutes since they’d sat down together and she was already reaching the end of her tether ‘…but I really don’t think one day of holiday a month is sufficient. Everyone deserves some free time, don’t you think? At least an additional evening per week.’
‘In my experience, my lady, free time is a temptation to vice, especially in the evenings.’ Mrs Fitch made a show of folding her hands in her lap. ‘I would be far more amenable to the idea of allowing staff a morning’s holiday each week, but there’s far too much to be done.’
‘That’s hardly the staff’s fault. And surely what people choose to do with their spare time is their own business?’
‘I disagree. The behaviour of the staff reflects upon this house and its family. As housekeeper, I demand and expect the highest standards. Anyone unable to meet them is welcome to leave.’
‘But we should also provide as pleasant a working environment as possible, don’t you think?’
‘Who says it’s unpleasant?’ The housekeeper’s eyes narrowed. ‘The honour of working at Rainton ought to bepleasureenough.’
Florence poured a second cup of tea, wishing it were something stronger. She was feeling unsettled enough, afterreading her parents’ letter the previous night. Their kind words, in which they’d expressed their surprise at her marriage but assured her of their belief in her innocence, had made her feel so guilty that she’d found it hard to sleep afterwards. Apparently she’d lied to them about her behaviour too.
‘I’m afraid we’ll have to agree to disagree,’ she answered finally. ‘From now on, I insist that all members of staff are permitted one day of holidayandan evening free each week, as well as half-days on Sundays.’
‘Absurd.’ Mrs Fitch sniffed, as she had at least half a dozen times already. ‘I warn you, such lax rules will make this house a…a…den of iniquity!’
‘Well, that would certainly be interesting, but let’s see how it goes, shall we?’ Florence cleared her throat. ‘And on that subject, I understand there was some kind of misunderstanding with one of the maids last month. Jemima, I think?’
‘There was a scullery maid by that name, but there was no misunderstanding. She was spreading impure thoughts amongst the other maids.’
‘From what I’ve heard, she was only talking about a beau.’
‘Which she knew was forbidden. You may think it draconian, my lady, but in time, she would have corrupted them all.’
‘None the less, I should like her to be rehired, perhaps with a warning not to discuss such matters during working hours again?’
