“Oh, surely not begging,” Liliane protested. “He’s much too elegant for that. In truth, he’s the most presentable butler we’ve ever had—I’m quite taken with him.”
“You and George,” Norah said.
“What do you mean by that?” Sir Elston demanded, roused from his usual habit of ignoring his unruly family.
“Why, only that Georgie is head over heels in love with him, and she follows him around like a puppy dog. It’s a wonder he gets anything done with Georgie hanging onto him.”
“I am not!” Georgie snapped with a little more force than necessary. “And even if I were, what business is it of yours?”
Rafferty considered beating a hasty retreat. He’d taken up his position by the sideboard in lieu of footmen, but the Mannings obviously considered him to be part of the furniture as they debated his existence.
“You see, Mother. Next thing we know, he’ll run off with her and we’ll all be ruined.”
“Stuff it, Norah.” Neddy roused himself from his abstraction. “Georgie’s not going to do anything that embarrasses us.”
“Well, I don’t know,” Liliane said worriedly. “She is awfully headstrong.”
“And stupid,” Norah added. “The first handsome man to pay attention to her and she’s all gaga.”
“I’m right here,” Georgie said in a testy voice, and Rafferty was strongly tempted to add, so am I.
“He’s paying attention to her?” Sir Elston said dangerously, glaring at him from beneath his heavy brows. “What do you mean by that?”
“Oh, just that he arranged for her wardrobe to be delivered, while my dresses still languish at Madame Racette’s. I hardly think it proper for a man to dress my supposedly innocent sister who’s barely allowed out in society.”
Sir Elston was at the point of exploding when Liliane broke in. “Well, I do see your point, Norah dear. After all, it’s your season. But she does look charmingly in her new dresses, though I don’t quite remember ordering them, but I must have, or else how would Madame Racette know to deliver them? I swear, I’m all a muddle.”
“I’m not,” Sir Elston growled.
“Pretty dresses are a waste of time in George’s case,” Norah said spitefully. “You can put rouge on a pig, and it’s still just a pig with rouge.”
“Stuff it, Sis,” Neddy said blearily.
“You’re a beast!” Georgie stormed, finally having had enough. “You’re just jealous because Rafferty likes me and he thinks you’re a snake. He told me so.”
“He did what?” Sir Elston thundered.
Norah laughed, but her eyes glittered. “You see what I mean? And don’t fool yourself, George. Rafferty likes me very much. He merely feels sorry for you.”
“He does not!” Georgie cried. “Do you, Rafferty?”
They all turned to look at him, and he cursed inwardly. This was bad enough when he was a piece of furniture—now he was forced to respond.
“I’m quite sure Rafferty loves us all,” Liliane said brightly. “Don’t you, Rafferty?”
“I hold the entire family in high esteem,” he said in a grave monotone.
“Even me?” Norah purred.
“Of course, Miss Manning.”
“I must say that new lady’s maid you found us is a wonder,” Liliane broke in, thankfully changing the subject. “I vow I haven’t had my hair done properly in weeks.”
“A new maid?” Sir Elston exploded. “We can’t afford one!”
“We can’t afford anything Rafferty has brought to us, and yet somehow he manages,” Norah said with acid sweetness. “I just shudder to think what will happen when the bills finally come due.”
“Nonsense, child. Don’t bother your head about money! I never do,” said Liliane.
