“No apology needed, my lord.”
“And is everything in place for the arrival of my brothers?”
His cook made the best fruit cake in England. Taking a large bite, he tasted currents and cinnamon.
“Well as to that, my lord, we do have a slight problem.”
Bailey was new to his employ, his last butler having retired to a nice little cottage Joseph had purchased for him. This man was ruthlessly efficient, and ran Greyton with military precision, so when he said there was a slight problem, it was actually a bloody gargantuan one.
“The housekeeper, Mrs. Honey, fell down the stairs, my lord, yesterday.”
“Dear God, is she all right?”
“She has had her ankle set, my lord, by Dr. Bernard. However, she is of course bedridden, with many bruises and an inability to move.”
Joseph could see how that was a problem. “And suddenly we are about to be descended upon by my unruly family, with no housekeeper to run things.”
“Two extra gentlemen should not be taxing, my lord.”
Bailey was not old, in fact he was about Joseph’s age. However, he had won over the staff with his steady demeanor and obvious organizational skills. He had thick black hair, piercing gray eyes, and a small, wiry body. He had more the look of a scholar than a butler.
“I have put word about in the village and surrounding areas, my lord. I have also sent word to London to the agency to send someone with expediency, and we should receive a replacement any day.”
“Is there no one within the staff to cover the position, Bailey?” Joseph took another sip of his milk. Had Millicent not left him, she would have dealt with this.
“Mrs. Puddle often helps out, my lord, but she is away visiting her daughter.”
“Is that really her name?”
Bailey unbent enough to offer a small smile.
“Indeed it is, my lord.”
“Well, keep me apprised of matters.”
“I will, and good night, my lord.”
“Good night, Bailey.”
When the door had closed, Joseph finished his supper in silence, and then took off his robe and slipped between the sheets. Lying in the dark, staring at the fire, he wondered again where Millicent Lawrence had been since last he’d seen her that day in the cemetery. What journey had she taken to end up on that road this morning?
That she vastly differed from the young society miss he had pledged his love to was obvious. Life had played its hand in changing her, as it had him. Life and circumstance, and shallow bastard that he was, the thought that rose above all others, was how she had walked away from him.
What did her father beg her forgiveness for?
He would have no answer to this question tonight, so Joseph tried to push the thoughts aside. Tomorrow he would need to be alert and composed when he saw Lady Millicent Lawrence once more. Not an easy task when faced with the woman who had broken his heart.
