'The study is the last door, miss, the one opposite us is the secretary's office, the next is the estate manager's. His lordship's man of business is adjacent to the study.'
'Thank you, it's good to know these things.'
The footman vanished through a hidden door. Sofia walked to the study but after hearing voices inside decided it wouldn't be polite to interrupt. At the end of the passage she was delighted to find herself only a few yards from the enormous black and white chequered entrance hall.
She opened the closed double doors that she'd passed earlier and was astonished at the size and luxury of the drawing room she'd revealed. There were at least a dozen groups of immaculately upholstered chairs, two fireplaces and there were french doors set in the centre of the wall of floor length windows that opened onto a terrace.
That could be investigated later – what had caught her eye at the far end of the room was a magnificent piano its lid open and the keys exposed as if someone was about to play it. It must be twice the size of the one that she'd played at her previous home. She must investigate, maybe even run her fingers experimentally along the keys.
The double piano stool was perfectly situated for her. She smoothed her gown beneath her and began to play. As always, she was lost to the music, forgot everything about her.
At the end of the piano sonata composed by Beethoven she opened her eyes to find the earl standing no more than a few feet from her.
'That was quite magnificent, Sofia, I've never heard it played better.'
She should have thanked him for his praise but instead said something else entirely.
'How are you here? I would have seen you if you'd come through the doors.'
He grinned and stepped aside showing her that the window behind him was open.
She laughed. 'I can't believe that you climbed into your own drawing room through the window. How extraordinary. In fact, sir, everything about you and this household is out of the ordinary.'
'I heard you playing from my study had to come and see if it was you or Annabel. This is my home and if I wish to climb in and out of windows that's entirely my prerogative.'
'I'm so glad you're here as I've a request to make as well as needing an answer to a question or two.'
'Then, Sofia, we shall sit somewhere more comfortable. Why not on the terrace?'
She followed him to the central french doors and then outside. There were several groups of seats conveniently arranged and he headed for the ones nearest to the door.
Once they were seated – him lounging back with his long legs extended, still in his riding clothes – and she sitting neatly as she'd been taught as far away from him as possible, he smiled and opened the conversation.
'Annabel believes that the four of us will require two chambermaids to take care of us and our four rooms as well as two dressers – I have my own but my sisters and Annabel will require assistance.'
'The matter's already in hand. My housekeeper, Bedford, is confident she has girls that will fit your requirements.'
'Forgive me if you think I might be impertinent to say this, sir, but as there are no ladies in this household how can any of the girls have the necessary skills and knowledge to deal with my sisters and Annabel?'
He sat up so abruptly she flinched. 'A good point, my dear, and not one that I considered. I assume my housekeeper's competent to find what you need – there must be suitable girls in the neighbourhood eager to work here.'
'Thank you, that has solved the most pressing point. My question might seem odd to you but why have I not met Bedford or any other of your staff? It's as if the house is being run by ghosts.'
'I hadn't noticed the footmen were missing until you mentioned it. As you won't be involved in any of the domestic arrangements of my household, I didn't see the necessity for you to meet the housekeeper or my butler, Foster.'
'I see,' Sofia said when in fact she didn't see at all. 'When will my sister Colette be arriving here? As her employment as a governess is in Duke Street, I imagine she could be here by this evening.'
'No, tomorrow. I wish to collect her myself and have no intention of returning to Bath today.' He was smiling but his eyes said otherwise.
'What time do we dine? I cannot dress for dinner as I don't have the wherewithal in my meagre wardrobe.' She hadn't meant to sound abrupt but knew that she had done so.
'I prefer to eat at six, I don't change unless I have guests. I don't eat luncheon, but one will be served for you and the others if required. Breakfast is made to order so there's no set time.'
'Thank you, that's exactly what I wanted to know. One more thing, sir, might I be allowed to play the piano whenever I wish?'
Now his smile was genuine. 'Please do, Sofia.'
Sofia prepared to stand as she thought this conversation had continued quite long enough. The more time she spent with him more likely it was that she put herself to the blush again.
