9
James was halfway down the back stairs when he realised he wasn't alone. The men who'd been with Sofia and Annabel were now following him. He wasn't sure if he was pleased or worried by them being there.
His intention was to evict Foster and Bedford from his home immediately. He didn't need anybody's assistance to do that as he had his dogs with him.
'Thank you for your help, but this will be better done alone,' he said to the young man who'd kicked down the door.
'Begging your pardon, my lord, we don't want no nasty business from that lot. You've got your dogs but they've got a dozen footmen.'
The situation was farcical. How could he be in danger from his own employees? He was lord and master of everything he surveyed and that included the inside staff.
'I thank you and appreciate your loyalty, I can assure you it will be well rewarded. I shall be requiring indoor staff that I can rely on. I believe that you and Johnny already have the necessary experience.' James couldn't for the moment remember this young man's name but then it came to him. 'Sid, do you think the two of you would consider changing your employment?'
The two young men grinned and nodded. 'Not half, better pay, better hours and easier work, my lord, why wouldn't we want to change?'
James stopped. 'Right, consider yourself hired. Johnny, your first task is to escort the other helpful gentlemen outside and then return at once. I shall be in Foster's room and will need the two of you to escort him from the premises alongside Bedford. Sid, you come with me.'
Two snarling dogs and a large well-muscled groom should be more than enough to achieve his objective. James had decided that all the indoor male staff would leave in the morning but he'd give the females a chance to redeem themselves before dismissing them.
The servants' hall was obviously still occupied but he doubted either Bedford or Foster would have remained in there. They had their own rooms down here; they didn't have to sleep upstairs with the footmen and housemaids.
He'd been down here once before but hesitated as he turned into the long corridor not exactly sure which of the doors he needed.
'Foster and Bedford will be in her parlour, my lord, they're thick as thieves. That's the second door along,' Sid told him helpfully.
James nodded his thanks and marched through the door without knocking. The occupants were indeed his butler and housekeeper and they took one look at his face, at the dogs, and shrunk back in their chairs with faces like ghosts.
'I'm tempted to have you both handed over to the constable. Kidnapping is a capital offence; you would both be lucky if you were just transported. If you leave without a fuss immediately, taking nothing, then I'll not take the matter of you harming Miss Brotherton's maid further. Nor will I mention your perfidy and no doubt your dishonesty these past nine years.'
Before his final words were out of his mouth they were on their feet and scurried past him. His dogs growled louder making them move faster.
'Follow them Sid, make sure they leave empty handed. Take my dogs, escort them from my estate.'
The young man nodded. 'Leave it to me, my lord. They'll not steal anything, and I'll make sure they're well away from Avon Court.'
James nodded then added. 'Go mounted, easier to keep them moving from horseback.' He gestured to his dogs to accompany Sid, and they willingly followed him being familiar with all the outside staff.
The servants' hall was now quiet. He strode to the door and then stopped outside. He'd no intention of going in, let them stew overnight and then Smithers could dismiss them in the morning. He didn't anticipate any trouble and their belongings would be checked for stolen goods before they departed.
Satisfied he'd restored order James strolled back upstairs. He had fences to mend with Sofia but not tonight. In less than a day his well-ordered life had been turned upside down. If Mary had not been kidnapped, then things might well have continued as they were for God knows how long.
He returned to his study where there was a full decanter of brandy on the bureau. He rather thought he might down the lot and go to his bed in his cups. He was fortunate that he was a gentleman who could drink himself to a standstill but get up the following morning with no ill effects at all.
He was halfway down the decanter when his trusty dogs returned. He fussed them for a few minutes and then they flopped onto the blanket underneath his desk. Their arrival had restored his good humour and he put down his glass deciding it was time to retire. Tomorrow would, he was quite sure, be another interesting day.
His valet was there to help him undress and as always refrained from making comments. James slept naked as a rule but when he saw a nightgown neatly hanging over the end of the bed, he decided that Jenkins was suggesting that he wore one.
Yet another thing sent to try him – having young ladies wandering around the place was going to be a sore trial. As he drifted off to sleep, he recalled the fact that he'd neglected to tell his grandmother about his wards, about sending for his sister and certainly not about dismissing both his housekeeper and his butler. As they lived separate lives it hardly mattered if she knew or not.
James was up at dawn and delighted to find the three men he wanted to see were already in his study.
'Good morning, gentlemen, I expect that you've heard about the fracas last night.'
'Indeed we have, my lord,' his estate manager, Boyden Archer, replied. 'I had my suspicions about both of them but as the household appeared to be running smoothly I decided not to interfere.'
'It was bone idleness that stopped me from hiring people of my choice. I'm glad that the arrival of the first two of my wards has precipitated this matter.'
Smithers handed James a neatly written page of suggestions. 'This is exactly what I expected of you. I can see that you've already set changes in motion. I want you and Michael to get rid of all the footmen…'
