'Don't worry about it, dearest sister, I'm sure that James will deal with it. I wonder if he'd be prepared to rent them a house in the Royal Crescent? Annabel, do you think there might be anything available?'
Annabel clapped her hands – a childish but endearing habit she had. 'I know of two that are presently empty. Fortunately, they are at the far end of the row, a considerable distance away from the house that I resided in. I'd not wish anybody to live adjacent to my father and older brothers.'
'Then I'll suggest to Lady Charlotte that she might like to move there. James can still keep an eye on his family without having them under our feet.'
'Goodness, do you intend to go and find her right now?' Colette asked.
'Obviously not, even if there were time, it's not something I can offer. I'll suggest it to James, if he agrees then it will be him who makes the suggestion.'
The housekeeper, Turnbull, arrived promptly and couldn't have been more accommodating and respectful. Had word of her betrothal already spread to the servants' hall?
'My great aunt's unable to climb stairs, is there a ground floor room that can be adapted for her use? Also, she requires her own sitting room and a room for her maid adjacent to her own.'
'Yes, Miss Brotherton, the Dowager Lady Avon had exactly that before she moved to the East Wing some years ago. I can have those made ready within an hour. If refreshments are served immediately in here for the new arrivals that should allow sufficient time.'
Sofia smiled ruefully. 'Unfortunately, my great aunt's of a similar character to the Dowager. She'll expect things to be ready the moment she steps inside. She'll refuse to enter the drawing room until she's had her maid remove her bonnet and gloves in her own apartment.'
The housekeeper smiled. 'I understand exactly, Miss Brotherton, I'll have the sitting room ready even if the beds aren't made. Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn, but there's a delightful parlour for your use across the hall. I don't believe you've been here long enough to have discovered it for yourself.'
'I haven't ventured to that side of the house. Thank you for telling me, I really don't want to spend my time in that vast drawing room if there's somewhere smaller I can use during the day.'
'Would you like me to tell Billy, who is on duty outside at the moment, to show you around?'
'That would be most helpful, thank you, Turnbull.'
The erstwhile cook dipped in a curtsy making it quite obvious she knew about the engagement. Then glided off, her crisp dark blue bombazine rustling as she went.
Colette and Annabel had been listening to this exchange with interest. They were as eager as she was to explore more of this magnificent building that was to be their home in future. Hers until she died whenever that might be, for the other two only until they had houses of their own when they eventually married.
