“We arenotgoing to be doing anything of the sort,” Genevieve had said firmly. “But it is rather…troublesome.” She had taken a deep breath and explained.
Kendrick had watched the woman’s face as Genevieve had laid the situation before her, and he had been inwardly impressed at how well she’d taken the news.
“Glory be,” Sally muttered. “Well, I always knew there was something a mite odd that a woman like you would be willing to look after the wee ones, but only after dark.” She sat and thought a moment. “So I’d run the house during the daylight?”
“Yes, and we are in the process of finding someone to manage the nights, so you would have all your evenings free. We would also ensure that Peter and Hannah had their own rooms and provide the food and clothing and salary for the human members of the household,” Genevieve said. “Actually, one of our friends was a cook in her former life, and she is thrilled for the chance to make food people will actually eat again. Your position will be housekeeper, and you will be compensated accordingly. There have been…bad practices in the past. We want no one tempted to fall into old patterns. This is going to be a new start for everyone, and we begin as we mean to go on.”
Kendrick stirred. “And we have promised to keep you and the children safe. You have my word on it, ma’am. If at any point you feel unsafe or pestered by anyone, human or vampire, you have only to tell us, and we will take care of the matter.”
“Coo,” Sally said, blinking rapidly at Kendrick. “I can see why you marriedhim, missus.” She had even blushed as Kendrick had smiled.
In the end, Sally had accepted the position, and they had moved her and the children into Carmine House without delay. Fletcher had been delighted to have the younger children follow him and Wulfric around like ducklings, and Genevieve had informed Sally if she knew of anyone who would like a daytime maid or footman position who could be trusted, they would consider interviewing them, but until that time, Fletcher was ready and more than willing to run errands or do any small tasks that she might need.
Watching Genevieve interact with the humans, Kendrick believed his supposition about vampires and humans was right. Genevieve did need her human circle just as much as she needed to make the Ossuary habitable. He noticed it especially when vampires arrived at the cellar door, hat in hand for a petition or a hearing from their rulers, and they ushered them through the kitchen—which had quickly become the heart of the human portion of the house—on the way to the library to hear their requests.
And he could not deny that it made the house feel like a home, to have children’s footraces in the long back hallways and the smell of cookery in the kitchen.
So, every sunset when they woke, Genevieve listened to the children relay the goings-on of their day and spoke with Sally about the running of the house. Often the children would request a chapter ofSigestanas they ate their dinner.
He was always happy to oblige.
Houses becoming homes. The solitary settled into families. Small changes—but more to come. To show the Ossuary a better way to be.
ChapterThirty
The next evening, after meeting with Dominic on the potential vampires to lead their new mentorship program, Kendrick exited the library and nearly ran into Genevieve. She was wearing one of her new frocks and looked very fetching, even as she frowned at the card in her hand. “We have callers,” she said, handing him the card.
“Montmorency.” He fingered the card in thought. “I know him, I think.”
“A good knowing or a bad knowing?”
“His name was on Etienne’s list.” Kendrick exchanged a look with Genevieve. “Where are they?”
“Mr. MacPherson’s put him and his wife in the newly furnished receiving room.”
“What a good thing we’ve acquired new furniture.” He offered Genevieve his arm and they proceeded into the receiving room.
Mr. Weston Montmorency was a tall, angular man in perhaps his mid-sixties. His hair and beard had been blond once but now had lightened to almost gray, and his face was lined with age. Sharp and canny eyes combined with the prominent set of his nose gave him the appearance of a raptor scanning for prey.
Mrs. Montmorency, on the other hand, was a small, plump young woman with a pretty face and curling strawberry-blond ringlets. She looked like a young girl about to have her first season. She seemed like a highly incongruous mate for such a gentleman unless the union had been founded on money and land.
But of course, it hadn’t been, for they were both vampires.
“I am so pleased to meet you, Your Majesty.” Mrs. Montmorency twinkled at Genevieve.
Genevieve smiled politely, probably aware that this woman would not have given her a greeting on the street a month ago. “How do you, Mrs. Montmorency?”
“We wanted to pay a call to offer our congratulations on your newlywed status,” Mrs. Montmorency said, settling onto the divan with a rustle of skirts. She glanced at the door and back again.
“How kind,” Genevieve murmured.
Her husband squared his shoulders. “And also to inquire as to the changes you are making among the Ossuary rabble, Kendrick. It isn’t wise to give them a very long rope, you know.”
“Oh? Why is that?” Kendrick asked, sounding bored.
“They might get above themselves. They are lower class.”
“I have always wondered where that perception comes from,” Genevieve said conversationally. “Human society is built upon the rock of wealth and family. Vampire society seems to be built upon age and deception.”
