When she’d last visited the Sunday market, people expressed the view that working at the hall might not be as bad as they’d thought. One man planned to try his luck at the home farm and another, the dairy. Fred Aitkens wanted gardening work. The rumor of a ghost lurking about seemed forgotten.
While it pleased her for the villagers’ sakes, she must keep in mind why she distrusted all the Redcliffes, and the reason she wanted to join the staff at Redcliffe Hall.
Chapter Five
The late morningsun warmed Dominic’s shoulders and insects buzzed around the gardens as he strolled back to the house from the stables. As he approached the house, Miss Jenner emerged from the avenue of trees with a young woman beside her.
A new maid? He hoped so. He stood and waited as they approached, enjoying Miss Jenner’s graceful yet purposeful stride.
She smiled, dipping into a bob. “Good morning, my lord.”
“Miss Jenner.” He removed his hat, pleased to see her, then turned to the girl beside her, who had dropped into a curtsy, deep enough for royalty. “And who is this?”
“My lord, I’d like you to meet Miss Emily Tomlinson.” Miss Jenner grasped the younger girl’s arm and hauled her to her feet. “We are here to see the estate manager. Emily is a housemaid and is looking for employment.”
“Mr. Williams will be in the estate office. A footman will take Miss Tomlinson to him. I wish to speak to you, Miss Jenner. Will you come to the library?”
“Certainly.”
After Jack escorted the girl to Williams, Miss Jenner joined him in the library, which Polly had cleaned, the air now scented with beeswax, and the rows of red and gold spines along the bookshelves gleaming.
“May I offer you tea or a cool libation, perhaps? It would have been warm walking from the village.”
She removed her bonnet and put a hand to her dark locks. “No, thank you. I do hope Mr. Williams will hire Emily. She is grateful for the opportunity and keen to do well.”
“I see no reason why not. Emily worked for Lady Lowry?”
“Yes.” She frowned. “She was let go, most unfairly.”
He nodded. Lady Lowry was probably a tyrant. If the girl weren’t up to snuff, given time, she would improve. “I prefer to discuss the matter of your employment, Miss Jenner. As I remain in need of a housekeeper, I’ve decided to offer you the position.” He paused. “Unlike the obviously smooth workings of Lady Lowry’s establishment, I must warn you this position will prove difficult. At least until we have a full complement of staff.”
Her blue eyes brightened, a smile hovering on her lips. “I enjoy a challenge.”
“Well, yes…I suspected you might.” He shifted his position on the chair opposite hers as he noted the stubborn lines of her sweetly rounded chin, then his gaze dropped to the smooth skin above her collar. Was he consigning himself to purgatory?
She waited for him to continue. He cleared his throat. “When you return, the housemaid, Polly, will show you the housekeeper’s office and see to your bedchamber.” He paused. He did not know where that was or what condition it was in, as bad as his had been? Worse, more likely. “Mr. Samuels is the cook. We have no butler. When might we expect you?” He hated the hopeful note in his voice, certain she had known from the outset he would need her.
“I’ll come as soon as I can. I’m obliged to give Lady Lowry notice.” Her expression darkened. “It might be as early as tomorrow.”
She appeared upset—with her employer’s treatment of Emily, plus a litany of things, he suspected. The lady might insist Miss Jenner remain in her employ until a replacement could be found. That might take weeks. “Very well.” He must be content with that, although he doubted Miss Jenner would be. She seemed ready to gird her loins for a fight.
They rose together. “I’ll wait for Emily in the foyer, my lord.”
He strode to the door and opened it. Jack, slumping against the wall in the corridor outside, leaped up.
“Miss Jenner is to be our new housekeeper, Jack. Bring Miss Tomlinson to her in the foyer.”
After Jack snapped to attention and hurried down the corridor, Dominic turned to her. “We shall expect you soon, Miss Jenner.”
“Yes, thank you, my lord.”
He closed the library door. Now perhaps he could concentrate on…
Returning to his desk, he sat and rearranged the papers strewn across it. Why did he feel as if something momentous had happened?
Dominic swiveled to stare out the window. The two women appeared in his view, chatting as they walked along the drive toward the park gates. Women were like flowers, he mused. They dressed up a place. Essential to a man’s comfort.
He turned back to study the papers, an assortment of bills, invitations, and letters. Dash it all. He needed a secretary. He knew little about the running of an estate. He’d had nothing to do with his father’s, and he’d sold the property almost immediately after his death. He admitted there was much to learn.
