“It went.”
Loren reported more fully, and he did this to his father.“Multiple charges.Abduction.Abuse.Extortion.Coercion.The magistrate isruminating on bail, but the inspector says, considering Tor’s recent rulings onthis kind of behavior for his nobles, it’s doubtful he’ll see light before histrial, and definitely not for some time after it.”
“Marvelous,” Ansley replied.
“Moving on!”Corliss declared, her gaze still on herdaughter.She then stated, “Honey, did you know we’re rich?”
“Mom—”
“Like, filthy,stinkingrich.Ansley says so.”
There seemed a curious warning note toSatrine’snext, “Mom.”
“So obviously, until he can get word to the bank to closehis accounts to me, things need to be sorted.Ansley sent someone to check, andEdgar hasn’t had a chance to do anything yet.We’re still good.I’m withdrawinga chunk of change.Ansley says he has a safe and can keep the cash there forus.So no matter what, we’ll have that.”
Her hand still in his,Satrinetook a step forward and tried yet again.
“Mom.”
But she’d lost Corliss’s attention.
“Carling,” she called.
Carling stepped forward and snapped his spine so straight,Loren felt a twinge in his own.
“Right here, my lady,” he stated the obvious.
“His grace has gone over the books with me, and he sharesyou’re woefully underpaid,” Corliss announced.
There was a twittering among the staff, but at a hiss fromCarling, they quieted.
“Milady,” was all Carling said to Corliss.
“That will not do.”She looked down at the ledgers, thenback to Carling.“I’m giving you all a one-hundred-pound bonus for yourloyalty.”
No hiss was going to stop the twitteringthatcaused.
“And the duke counsels me that you’re all paid at leastfifteen percent less than the going rate for your positions.Each of you willbe brought to the upper grade for your salaries.And I’ll be adding an extraten percent to that.”
There was shuffling, gasps, and a few muted cheers.
Loren watched his father’s lips quirk.
“Carling, I bid you take your staff and discuss this withthem, see if this is amenable,” Corliss continued.
Carling sounded choked, as he would, since it wasindubitably amenable, when he pushed out, “Will do, milady.”
She swept an arm over the ledgers and stated, “You and Iwill go over these books and we’ll see every member of my staff is compensatedappropriately.”
“That would be appreciated, milady.”
“And please, allow two extra days paid leave per annum toeach staff member, and an extra afternoon free every week as well.Ansley addedthe suggestion that we might be understaffed, which means you are all not onlyunderpaid, but required to go above and beyond to see to the running of thishouse.Therefore, you and I will speak about whether we need to hire someoneelse to cover for those times when staff is at their leisure or add so you canadjust the workloads of your charges to more appropriate levels.”
Carling coughed, sniffed, muttered, “My apologies,” then inhis normal voice said, “It will be done as you wish, madam.”
She stood and smiled.“I’m delighted.Can you do thatpresently, but also, send for the modiste?”
“Right away, Countess Derryman,” Carling said smartly.
