The woman’s thin face reddened. She emptied the package she carried onto the table. Haberdashery items scattered over the bench. “I required thread to match Emily’s hem, which is coming down.”
“Come into my office later, and I will reimburse you.” Olivia gave her a wry look. “But you appear to need a lot of things, Mrs. Hobbs, for you go to the village often.”
Mrs. Hobbs’s eyes narrowed. “Has someone complained to you about me, Miss Jenner?”
“It’s no secret, is it?” Olivia pointed to the box she’d brought. “Needles and thread and a few buttons which you might find useful.”
“Oh.” Mrs. Hobbs looked relieved. “They will be, thank you.”
“I don’t wish you to purchase items for Redcliffe Hall out of your own pocket, Mrs. Hobbs. Mr. Williams would have informed you of the rules when you came here. You may visit the village after church on Sundays and on your day off. But if you urgently need something, please advise me of it, and I’ll send a footman.” She paused. “Do we have an understanding?”
“Yes, of course, Miss Jenner.” Mrs. Hobbs peered into the box, poking the items with a finger. She didn’t look up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t understand it was wrong.”
Olivia left, puzzled by the woman’s behavior and evasive attitude. All the staff knew they couldn’t wander about the countryside willy-nilly.
Before supper, Olivia was called to Mr. Yardley’s bedchamber. Wise to the ways of men, she took Jack with her.
Yardley glared at him. “I wished a housemaid to pack my luggage.”
“Jack will do it, Mr. Yardley.” Olivia gestured to Jack to pack the few clothes and items.
“Maids usually do such things. This is quite unorthodox.” Yardley watched him. “Don’t crease that coat.”
“Was there anything else?”
Yardley smiled. “I wish to thank you for making my stay so pleasant.”
“I am pleased you were comfortable, sir.”
Yardley eyed Jack and then turned his back on him. “You are an excellent housekeeper, Miss Jenner. And an unusual one.”
“Unusual?”
“Come now, you must agree. Where do you hail from?”
“From this county, Mr. Yardley,” she said, fighting to hide her annoyance.
He nodded. Perhaps realizing his questions would bear no fruit. “You are preparing for house guests, Lord Redcliffe tells me. How many do you expect?”
“It is not my decision, Mr. Yardley. You must ask his lordship.”
“Are all the reception rooms being opened up?”
“Again, I cannot say.”
He scowled. “That is all. You may go. And you.” He rounded on Jack. “You are making a complete mess of it. Leave it to me.”
At cock’s crow the next morning, while Olivia dressed, the coach clattered away along the drive. Mr. Yardley, departing for London. She couldn’t say she was sorry to see him go. She’d disliked him questioning her and wondered what lay behind it.
Had she become too suspicious? Even doubting a cousin of Redcliffe’s. Ever since the break-in, she looked askance at everyone. But Mr. Yardley had arrived at Redcliffe Hall days after the break-in. And he’d traveled there on the mail.
Chapter Thirteen
Dominic turned awayas the coach disappeared. It had been a cool goodbye before George mounted the steps. Earlier, he had thanked Dominic again for the money. “I shall prove you wrong, Dom.” He patted his waistcoat pocket where he’d put the check. “I’ll put this to good use. You’ll see. It will do much to help me find my feet.”
Dominic had clapped him on the back. “I wish you good fortune, George, and hope to see you here again soon.”
He made his way to the stables. He hoped George would keep to his bargain but feared he would revert to his old ways. After all, they’d gone through this before, more than once.
