As he drove on, he wondered about the cause of his uncle’s death. Dominic’s father passed away at sixty, which would make Alberic sixty-two. Some men were still robust at that age. It shamed Dominic to think he hadn’t questioned it. He would speak to Alberic’s doctor.
*
For the nextfew days, when not busy with the preparations for her mistress’s garden party, Olivia’s thoughts returned to Redcliffe Hall and the changes which took place there. Had the earl found a housekeeper? She remained confident that he hadn’t.
Making the most of the unseasonably mild weather, chairs and tables had been arranged around the lawns, the garden beds resplendent with summer flowers. The cuisine was selected to Lady Lowry’s satisfaction. Replies to the invitations Olivia had sent out arrived. Would Lord Redcliffe accept? Such men only attended when the mood took them, she thought darkly. The squire, Mr. Lancaster, wrote he would come. She held nothing against the man who lived at Northoaks but hoped not to meet him again, as she’d found their dealings in the past to be uncomfortable.
She did not expect she’d be needed once the guests had arrived and could retire to her room. With everything prepared down to the last tiny cucumber sandwich, Harold, their footman, and the maids would serve the guests.
At her desk in her office, Olivia read through the acceptances which arrived in the post today. One bore the earl’s seal. She uneasily studied his reply written in an elegant, masculine hand. Would he give her away to Lady Lowry? The possibility horrified her. She would lose her position here and have nowhere to turn. It had been a gamble she’d considered worth taking when she’d approached him. Something about him made her doubt he would, but her nerves remained on edge. She’d be relieved when the party was over.
At breakfast, Lady Lowry ordered her to remain throughout the afternoon, to ensure the maids behaved appropriately. Olivia, unnerved, yet pleased for the chance to show his lordship her proficiency, took particular care with her appearance. It was not because she wished him to find her attractive, but rather to consider her a possible addition to his staff. She couldn’t make herself believe that and made a moue of distaste in the mirror at her folly. Maisie, the upstairs maid who excelled in the arrangement of a ladies’ hair, offered to arrange Olivia’s “unmanageable black tresses,” according to Maisie, in the current style. Olivia thought the elegant updo flattered her and promised the maid some satin ribbons to trim her bonnet.
The gown she’d sewn in her spare hours during the evenings was suitable for her position with its high lace collar. Blue ribbons trimmed the hem and bodice. It was not so girlish that Lady Lowry might object. Standing before the mirror doing up the gold locket her father had given her, Olivia wondered if after Lord Redcliffe viewed her in her role of housekeeper, he might then reconsider her.
A maid told them breathlessly over breakfast how handsome and imposing the earl was. He had crossed the road when she was on her way to fetch napkins from the haberdashery. “He raised his hat and smiled at me.” She gazed around at them. “Like this,” she said, aping him. She giggled. “Not at all uppity.”
The maids gasped. “Fancy that,” Harold said.
Olivia stood with Harold and Lady Lowry to welcome the guests as they came through the door.
His lordship had not yet arrived. Lady Lowry, rather put out at his tardiness, ordered Olivia to the kitchen to ensure everything was ready.
Olivia remained below to help Cook. But Lady Lowry soon summoned her. Olivia smoothed her hair and entered the drawing room. Harold offered the guests flutes of champagne, while the maids offered tea, sandwiches, and cakes. Seated on a sofa by the fireplace, her mistress was engaged in conversation with the earl. Something he said made her smile fade. She fiddled with her pearls and turned, then beckoned to Olivia. Olivia’s pulse throbbed as she crossed the room. What had his lordship said about her?
Lord Redcliffe rose to his feet as she approached. “Good afternoon, Miss Jenner.”
“My lord.” Olivier bobbed.
An irritated crease formed between Lady Lowry’s plucked brows. “His lordship tells me you met at the wheelwright’s. You failed to mention it,” she said testily.
Amusement warmed his lordship’s eyes. “We met in passing, did we not, Miss Jenner? I wonder if I might ask a favor of you? Redcliffe Hall remains in need of servants. My estate manager has not had a great deal of success finding them. Might you have heard of anyone in need of work?”
Was this a hint that he’d changed his mind about hiring her? “No, but I will certainly make inquiries, my lord.”
He smiled. “I would appreciate it.”
“That is all, Olivia.” Lady Lowry dismissed her. “The guests require your services in the garden.”
His lordship raised his eyebrows slightly but said nothing.
Olivia bobbed another curtsy and left, conscious of his eyes on her. Stepping through the French doors, she allowed herself to hope. He hadn’t given her away, but might he have changed his mind about employing her?
Clutching her cane, Mrs. Herrington stood helplessly at the foot of the steps, waiting for assistance. Olivia hurried to offer the elderly woman her arm. She led the old lady inside and settled her in a comfortable chair. Mrs. Herrington sat back with a relieved sigh. “Thank you, my dear.” With a roguish wink, she glanced over at Lord Redcliffe, who was still with her employer. “Handsome devil. Lady Lowry obviously thinks so.”
Oliva smiled but resisted a reply. The earl had again turned his head in this direction. Lady Lowry laid a hand on his sleeve to draw him back to her. But shortly after, he rose and took his leave.
After the last guests departed, Olivia sat in the kitchen with a cup of tea discussing with Cook the success of the dishes. When Harold came down to fetch her, Olivia found her mistress in the parlor, drinking a glass of sherry.
Pleased, Lady Lowry smiled. “The party went exceptionally well, did it not? Lord Redcliffe said he enjoyed himself. He met the best people today. I’m sure a host of invitations will follow. An unmarried man will need a good social life.” She reached for the sweetmeats on the table at her elbow. “It proves to be a busy season. We must prepare for it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She frowned. “You failed to say you spoke to his lordship. Only that you saw him in the street. I hope you didn’t push yourself forward, Olivia. It will reflect badly on me. You are a member of this household. I’ve sensed a defiant attitude in you, which you must correct. Your circumstances are not as they once were. You are a servant, and the sooner you accept it, the better it will be for you. And for me.”
It was all Olivia could do to hold back a heated response. “Lord Redcliffe was at the wheelwright’s. He needed a broken carriage wheel fixed. He introduced himself to me.”
Lady Lowry narrowed her eyes. “Why would he approach you?”
