“I shall have her fetched immediately.” The tall butler strode out and was back within seconds. “She will be here posthaste. May I inquire as to what will be the topic of our discussion, sir?”
Not wishing to have any prejudgments made, Darius shook his head. “No.”
Beacham’s eyes rounded for a mere second before he controlled his reaction. “Very good, sir.”
Darius appreciated Beacham’s formality in everything but also understood the man’s surprise. There had been more than one time when he’d had to take his butler into his confidence. In fact, this would be another time, but for a completely different reason.
Mrs. Torbett bustled in. The housekeeper’s cap had allowed a few strands of salt-and-pepper hair to escape, most likely from the exertion of her duties. “My lord. I came as quick as I could.”
The woman’s round cheeks were a bit red from her rush, as she was not thin, though not heavy either—and rather strong, from what he’d been told. He waved to one of the chairs before his desk. “Please, Mrs. Torbett. Have a seat. You too, Beacham.” Darius remained standing. “I have called you both here to take you into my confidence so that you might better assist me.”
“I be happy to help, my lord.” Mrs. Torbett leaned forward in her chair.
Beacham quickly chimed in. “I am at your disposal, sir.”
“Very good. It appears that my new wife has not made the best impression upon some of the servants.”
“My lord, she did spill tea upon the maid.”
At Mrs. Torbett’s reply, he raised his right eyebrow at her before turning his gaze to Beacham, who pursed his lips. He moved his gaze back to the housekeeper. “Yes, so she told me.She waved her hand as she spoke and inadvertently knocked the tea over.” He held up his hand as Mrs. Torbett opened her mouth, forestalling another interruption. “And I tell you more in the strictest of confidence. While she was in here talking with me, she almost pushed the lantern off the desk and did, in fact, succeed in knocking the bust of Plato off the shelf, though she didn’t realize it.”
The two immediately turned their heads toward the bookcase where Plato sat, far back from the edge.
“I returned the bust to the shelf, but the floor did not remain unscathed.”
Mrs. Torbett turned back to look at him. “Oh, my poor lady.”
Surprised, he cocked his head, interested in his housekeeper’s sudden change of heart. “Mrs. Torbett?”
“I mean the poor dear. To be so clumsy with her status. I’m sure she’s been plagued by this her whole life. No wonder she’s so excited to have a family. She probably never expected to marry. I mean, with that hair and her knocking things over, I can’t imagine any upstanding lord finding her appropriate. But you, my lord—your kind heart has not only given the children a new mother but my lady a family she probably never expected to have.”
As Mrs. Torbett took out a handkerchief and dabbed at her teary eyes, Darius stood dumfounded. Again, he didn’t understand what Lady Ferncroft’s hair had to do with marrying, and he’d hardly classify her as clumsy. It was more exuberance, in his opinion.
Beacham appeared unmoved, but then again, he always did. “Beacham, what is your opinion?”
“I am honored that you have taken us into your confidence, sir. It is now clear why her ladyship did not want a footman with her in the garden. She feared his seeing her trip. Imagine the gossip below stairs that might begin. I shall notify all of themthat they should not insist on accompanying her in the future.” The butler sat straighter, though it was a feat, as the man was always straight, even if he was of an age with Mrs. Torbett.
Darius wasn’t sure how he felt about his head staff pitying his wife, so until he did, he wouldn’t argue the point. He just needed everyone to adjust smoothly so his own problems remained a secret from all but the two who sat before him. “I appreciate anything you two can do to help the staff accept their new mistress.”
“I promise to do all in my power, my lord.” Mrs. Torbett pressed her handkerchief to her chest. “I know in my heart that you wouldn’t choose a lady of harsh temperament. I am grateful to have your trust.”
“You can depend upon me, sir, as always.” Beacham rose and gave a formal bow.
Relieved to have it all settled to a satisfactory conclusion, Darius gave them a nod. “Very good. Do not let me keep you from your duties any longer.”
As Mrs. Torbett rose to follow the already-disappearing Beacham, Darius pulled out his chair.
But Mrs. Torbett did not follow his butler. “My lord—if I might have one more moment of your time?”
He forestalled his inclination to sit. “Of course.” Surely it couldn’t be more about his wife. He had hoped he’d settled that. Even as irritation flared, he recognized it for what it was. The beginnings of a black mood. Damn, he’d hoped to have more time.
“With the wedding and all the guests, I’m sure you haven’t thought much about Christmas and the New Year, but I have prepared a list of foodstuffs for the festivities and wondered if you would like to see it. I can leave it on your desk before dinnertime.”
Relief that it was nothing more than the holiday, he waved her off. “I believe Lady Ferncroft would prefer to be consulted on that. In fact, I leave the entire holiday in her capable hands.”
Mrs. Torbett’s brows rose for a moment. “Yes, of course.” Her brows returned to their rightful position. “It will be a pleasure to help my lady create a wonderful holiday. Thank you, my lord.” With that, the woman strode out of the study, closing the door quietly behind her.
He finally sank into his chair. Despite everything having been put to rights, his unease grew. After dinner. He’d wait to disappear until after dinner, for Lady Fer—forEleanor’ssake.
