“And there are good reasons I do not wish to discuss such things, Marian,” said Mama with a narrowed look. “The butler is Papa’s responsibility, and it is not becoming of you to insert yourself into others’ business. Besides, Mrs. Deeds assures me the household is running quite efficiently. Surely she would inform me if Powell was creating issues.”
Apparently, Mama was willing to be both stubborn and blind today, for anyone who spent more than a few minutes in conversation with the housekeeper would know that Mrs. Deeds was able to do her workdespitePowell. And Marian suspected the housekeeper was rather terrified of speaking out against the butler, as he was quite capable of making even the upper servants’ situations miserable.
Marian turned her attention to the crowd, her thoughts churning with all the possible arguments to be made and what might be the right thing to sway Mama. Although the butler reported to the master of the house, anyone with sense knew it was the mistress who held sway over the household; a word from her, and Papa would acquiesce.
Taking a moment to savor a few bites of cold roast beef and the particularly delightful finger sandwiches, Marian wondered what was to be done about the matter.
“Might I join you, ladies?”
Marian’s gaze flicked to the gentleman standing to one side, his head cocked in a quick bow as his gaze took in the trio. Mr. Highmore was of middling age, middling looks, and middling personality, though even as she thought that, Marian’s heart shuddered at the brutal assessment; it was born from her frustrations with the present situation and, though true to a degree, reflected far more of her own shortcomings than Mr. Highmore’s.
“Certainly, Mr. Highmore,” said Mama with a warm smile. “Your company is always welcome. Isn’t it, Marian? She was just speaking of how much she longed for you to sit with us.”
With three daughters married, Mama was adept at the subtlety required to nudge a young lady and gentleman together, but it seemed all pretense was to be ignored when it came to her troublesome second daughter.
Marian held back a genuine smile at that thought and turned to greet Mr. Highmore as he took a seat beside her. “You are quite right, Mama. We have been discussing a most fascinating subject.”
“Which is?” he asked with an arched brow.
“Household management,” she said, slanting Mama a sly look. “As the master of your household, would you not agree that running it efficiently is more important than pretension? That if a servant is not wholly needed or suited for the household, then it is best to eliminate the position and free up the resources wasted on him? It is better for the rest of the staff and your pocketbook. It seems so logical that I can hardly fathom doing otherwise.”
Mama stiffened, though Mr. Highmore paid this no heed, as his attention was fixed on Marian. His brows rose as she spoke, and he cleared his throat.
“This is what you’ve been discussing during a picnic?” he asked.
“It does seem an inappropriate moment,” said Mama with a narrowed look at Marian.
“I assure you we have exhausted all the usual discussion of the weather, Mr. Highmore. Wouldn’t you rather speak of something of more importance?” asked Marian, clasping her hands primly in her lap.
“Running an efficient household is quite important,” he said with a nod. Stretching his legs out before him, the gentleman considered the idea. “I cannot say for certain what I would do without further information. What is the servant’s position? How long has he worked for the family? You have a duty to him as well as to your household accounts.”
Mama straightened, giving Marian a quick nod. “Precisely what I said, sir. It is heartless to turn away a servant. A family such as ours has a duty to the town and those we employ.”
“And if your coffers are healthy, why shouldn’t you spend your wealth on the people of the town, who depend so on families such as yours for income?” asked Mr. Highmore with a definitive nod. Mama gave a surprised squeak as he spoke. No doubt she would’ve preferred some euphemism rather than discuss something as gauche as money, but Marian couldn’t help but admire the fellow for speaking so baldly.
“But we have a loyalty to the rest of our staff as well, and if the fellow is making their work a misery, is it not our duty to free them of his tyranny?” asked Marian.
Her words were met with a laugh by Mr. Highmore. “That is a tad melodramatic.”
“Yet true nonetheless,” replied Marian. “If one of the upper staff is making unreasonable demands on the lower, then scolding them for not exceeding expectations, and also reaching beyond his purview to bully and berate others for perceived infractions—none of which are truly wrongdoings—is it not our duty to protect the lower servants, who cannot defend themselves? No household can function properly when such a significant cog is causing problems. For the sake of the other servants, if nothing else, ought not we to sack that servant—”
Mama cut her short with a hard, “Enough, Marian. There is no need to discuss the subject further. I will not countenance such horrid treatment of a servant who has been a loyal retainer for several years. If our other servants are unhappy with their position, they are free to find another. It is their choice whether or not they wish to stay, so there is nothing more to discuss.”
Marian’s teeth clicked close, and she dropped her gaze to her lap, though she refused to show any other hint of the hurt that censure caused. Yet again, she was the villainess of the piece. Heartless and unfeeling. Straightening, she hid the feelings away. They would do no good at this moment.
“My daughter was asking after you,” said Mr. Highmore, his gaze flicking between the ladies before giving them all a strained smile, though it was nothing compared to Mama’s. “Myra was wondering if you would join our family for a drive next Tuesday.”
“That sounds lovely,” said Mama. “I am certain Marian would enjoy that.”
Though the invitation had been extended to her, there was little point in Marian acknowledging it, for Mama was determined she accept even if it sounded anything but lovely. Not that she disliked Myra or any of Mr. Highmore’s little ones, but Marian could not think of a more miserable way to spend an afternoon than being crammed into a carriage with six children and a grown man.
“The children do love to drive to the coast,” he said with a bright expression that held his heart. “I can hardly fault them. It is lovely.”
“I am of a like mind, Mr. Highmore,” said Mama. Turning to her daughter, she added, “And Marian as well.”
“Capital,” he said with a nod. “Then we shall spend the afternoon exploring the coast. Though I will warn you to bring a cloak with you. The weather has been quite warm of late, but if we stop anywhere near the water, I guarantee you will get wet. No matter what I do, I cannot keep the children from it, and they are bound to be soaked through.”
Marian turned her lips upward, though Mr. Highmore continued speaking before she had a chance to say a word.
