Winston sat while Grebe stood. Winston listened, unimpressed. He had no need for a servant who gossiped about his master. But then perhaps that was unrealistic. Didn't all servants gossip about their employers’ foibles? He had no need of another servant, but he was curious about Adeline.
“I know little of the household that you come from. I believe your master is an Earl?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Where is Harston?”
“Five miles beyond the village of Kensington, Your Grace.”
“Kensington? That is the other side of the river from here and ten miles or more distant. What made you come all this way? There must be other country estates closer.”
“I have tried them all, Your Grace. I’ve done a fair amount of walking in the last two days. My master’s reputation goes before me. I never got to see the inside of any of them. I thoughtsomewhere further afield where they’d not heard of him, I’d get a fair hearing.”
Winston nodded thoughtfully.
“Who else is resident at Harston? Family, not servants.”
“Well, there’s just the Earl now, Your Grace. There was Lady Harston until about two years ago. They had no children.” Winston was surprised. He stared at Grebe, trying to discern the truth. He’d expected to be told that Lady Adeline had been a resident. Perhaps, she was even the daughter of the Earl. He had deduced all this simply based on her reaction.
“None? How long had you worked there?”
“Since I was a boy, Your Grace. Twenty-five years or more.”
“Why leave now?”
“As I said, Your Grace. His Lordship’s behavior was getting to be too much. Too wicked. Too much drink. I’m a good Christian and that isn’t right.”
“There is no daughter in the family? Perhaps living at another residence?”
Grebe frowned. “Daughter, Your Grace? No. His Lordship and Her Ladyship were not blessed. I put it down to his drinking.”Dash it all, this interview has not lessened the mystery one iota!
Winston stood. “I’ve no place for you here,” he said flatly. “And I’ve no use for gossip. Good day to you, Grebe.”
Winston hesitated, then dug into his waistcoat pocket, pulling out a sovereign. He flipped it to Grebe.
“Take this for your efforts.”
Grebe’s face had fallen but now lightened as he made the coin disappear into his pocket with the dexterity of a stage performer.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
As he went to the door, there was a sound from outside. Grebe opened the door to reveal Adeline, a few feet away with her back to the door, as though she had just passed it by. Her cheeks flushed when he stepped into the hall.
Grebe tugged his forelock to her and retraced his steps. Winston stepped into the hallway, looking at Adeline, not his visitor.
“Do you wish to know the subject of our conversation?” he asked, pointedly.
“No, of course not. I have no interest in your household staff.”
“Though you would like to be one and a governess who does not know the household is hampered from the start.”
“I would get to know the staff when I am appointed to the role.”
“Your dress will be ruined by the tea you spilled. This is not on the way to your bedroom.”
“I got lost. This is such a rambling place with passages in all directions. I could do with a map,” Adeline replied.
“I’d be happy to escort you,” Winston replied, “this way.”
