Did the whole household know of her birth?
“Of course not, your ladyship. And we all treat Jacob as one of thefamily.”
“Except he spends his time downstairs rather than in the house.”
“It’s how he prefers it. He can’t be bothered with the life of a gentleman, much to Nicola Faulkes’s displeasure. That little miss was all over him when she found out he’s the heir. Of course, he’ll not be heir for long.”
She flicked her gaze to Olivia’s belly, then gave a gap-toothed smile.
“We’re all right pleased you’re here, your ladyship. I hope I didn’t give no offense when I referred to…” She made a random gesture.
Olivia shook her head. “I’ve heard worse, Mrs. Groves.”
Mrs. Groves took her hand and patted it. “Well, you’ll not hear it from anyone’s lips here, lass. Master Charles would have them strung up by the toes.”
“I doubt that.”
“He said as much—or that man of his said it for him. Young Jim made mention of it, and the master overheard and had him dismissed. Don’t you recall the lad who served supper the night you arrived?”
Olivia shook her head.
“He’s found a position at Alderley Hall in the next village, so there’s no harm done, but he’s lucky Master Charles didn’t take a crop to him.”
“Mrs. Groves,” a deep voice said, “I trust you’re not engaging in gossip with her ladyship?”
The butler stood in the driveway, his eyebrows kitted together in a frown.
“Beg pardon, Mr. Reynolds, I was…was just…”
“Mrs. Groves was discussing the method she uses for making shortbread,” Olivia said. “I offered to make some for tea.”
The butler bowed. “Very good, your ladyship. Now, if you’ll excuse me, we’re a footman short and I’m interviewing prospective candidates. I trust I’ll not be obliged to advertise for a new cook aswell.”
Mrs. Groves bowed her head. “No, Mr. Reynolds.”
The butler nodded then returned to the house, muttering to himself. “Pity. We might be presented with a pie that doesn’t break our teeth.”
The cook gave no sign that she’d heard. Not that Reynolds had spoken a falsehood. Maybe Mrs. Groves might permit Olivia to bake a pie also.
The butler turned and winked at Olivia, and she suppressed a giggle. Perhaps, in time, she’d come to feel at home here, even if she could never hope to be as happy in marriage as her sister-in-law.
*
“I must say,that’s the tastiest shortbread I’ve had here. Did you make it, Olivia? For I doubt Mrs. Groves did.”
Olivia smiled at her companion. Nicola—or Miss Faulkes, as Mrs. Broughman insisted Olivia call her—had completely shed the initial hostility Olivia had seen on her first arrival at Penham Park. She’d been a little quiet during the tour of the gardens, deferring to Jacob, but today, now Olivia was alone in her company, she seemed to blossom.
“Nicola!” Susie said as she poured the tea. “You oughtn’t refer to her ladyship by her given name. She’s acountess.”
“But we’re friends,” Nicola said, fixing her pale-blue gaze on Olivia. “We might even be sisters one day.”
“Has Jacob made you an offer?” Olivia asked. Susie’s hand shook as she handed her a cup. “Thank you, Susie.”
“There! What did I tell you?” Nicola said. “Olivia’s not like other ladies who wouldn’t bother to thank the staff. She even baked the shortbread.”
“Iknowthat,” Susie said. “Lady Devereaux let me try a piece.”
“That’s kind of her,” Nicola said, reaching for her cup.
