“All right.” His tone lowered in response, drawing out the word hesitantly. Clearly, he was unsatisfied with my answer but unwilling to press me. Good.
Objectively I knew I could not hold one drunken speech against him for the rest of our lives, it would not make my situation anymore tenable. But something about the words had found a home in my mind, flitting past at the most inopportune times and slicing deep. Death by a thousand cuts of my own making.
* * *
Try as I might,the jovial grin from earlier was gone. Truthfully, I could not bring myself to exert myself for its return.
The next morning, I awoke with renewed determination. If I could not succeed as a wife, surely I could succeed as a viscountess.
As usual, my husband was nowhere to be found. Presumably hiding in the study or practicing his fencing drills on the grounds somewhere.
No matter, I was determined to pay a visit to the vicarage. I needed information, and the vicar’s wife was certain to have it.
When I found Anna, she had kindly taken to dusting. The task was far below her current duties, but she made no issue of it. She was, however, easily persuaded to abandon it in favor of escorting me to my destination.
The vicarage was no more than a mile away, and there was nothing more than a light dusting of snow blowing past us on the tree-lined pathway. When we passed the stables, Anna promised to introduce me to the horses on our way back.
The vicarage itself was formed of the same red bricks as the house and well loved. It featured a small rose garden that I was certain would be breathtaking in peak season. We were ushered into the small, cheerful sitting room quickly. There we met a small, pretty woman who had definitely seen some fifty years but certainly not more than sixty. She had hints of gray at her temples under her cap and warm, honey-colored eyes. Physically, she was nothing like my mother. But her presence, the essence of her bursting forth from her smile… She shared my mother’s heart.
Perhaps the role cultivated such a countenance, or perhaps such a countenance was drawn to the role. Mrs. Sarah Hughes, I quickly learned, had served this parish with her husband for more than thirty-five years. She preferred her tea with far too much sugar and a splash of milk. Anna’s lemon tarts were well missed in the parish. Little Mariah Bell, not so little anymore, had grown quite pretty and married the butcher’s son. In addition to these gems, I learned any number of other things about any number of other people I had yet to meet. Perfect.
“So, Mrs. Hughes, I am hoping you might be able to help me. You see, the estate is in desperate need of a housekeeper. Mrs. Hudson is running herself ragged trying to do those duties as well as cook. Do you know of anyone looking for work who might be qualified?”
She tapped her chin thoughtfully for a moment before answering. “You should speak to Mrs. Lydia Tanner. She was housekeeper over at the old Revello estate until she wed. Her eldest is out of the house now, and I expect she might be bopping around at home looking for trouble to get into.”
“That’s just the sort of person I’m looking for. Thank you! I expect we will need at least another maid and footman for this house, do you have any suggestions there?
“Oh, I think young Matthew Smithson is looking. He broke his leg badly a few years ago and has difficulty with the farming tasks. Though, footman in a house that size might be too much for him,” she said.
“I’ll speak with him. Get his thoughts on the matter, perhaps if he’s given opportunities to sit, he can manage.”
“That’s good, though her ladyship will not approve. Well, I suppose you’re her ladyship now, aren’t you? I’ll have a further think on the maid.”
“Thank you. I’d like to begin visiting tenants as soon as possible, perhaps you can provide some direction there as well? Where I should start? Who might need items that I can provide them, food, blankets, and the like?”
“Of course, dear. I must admit, when I heard the viscount took a wife, I would never have expected you,” she said in a teasing laugh.
Though I knew the words to be true, and though I’d heard them throughout my engagement, they still stung. Especially when I had thought Mrs. Hughes and I were forming the beginnings of an easy friendship in the few minutes we’d known each other.
“That seems to be the consensus.” Though I could hear the bitter undertone in my voice, I didn’t think she would be able to detect it.
“Yes, I feared the worst, but you’re a delight.”
I froze for a moment, waiting for her to continue, to drag me back down.
“She is, isn’t she?” Anna added, cheerfully.
My heart swelled twice its normal size and a lump rose in my throat as I fought back grateful tears.
“Thank you. I am trying but I do hope you’ll let me know where I can improve.” My words were thick with emotion, and Mrs. Hughes offered a warm, comforting smile.
“Well, you cannot possibly be worse than the dowager. But I promise to tell you when you’re being daft. Yes?”
A laugh burst from my chest, deep and grateful. “Yes, please.”
“Good, have another cup of tea, dear. Tea cures all ills.”
“Yes, Mrs. Hughes.”
