“Remind me to give you a raise,” Essie said as she dropped into a chair. “Have six-year-olds always had that much energy?”
“Since the world began,” Sara said with a smile. She picked up the teapot and poured the steaming tea into a cup. “Eat. I don’t think you had lunch.”
“I had too much to do. I did have some candy from the snack table.”
Sara shook her head. “I bet some big, strong man is going to have something to say about that.”
“Oh, don’t tell Zander. I won’t get my sticker.” Essie’s mouth rounded in a silent O as soon as that truth popped out of her mouth. “I mean, sucker. He’ll take the candy I slipped into my pocket away. I love those lollipops with bubblegum inside.”
Her housekeeper’s smile made Essie suspect Sara didn’t believe that quick excuse.Please let her think the heat is getting to me.
“I’ve been working on the master suite for you. Those rooms are ready for you to move in,” Sara said, surprising her.
“The master? Oh, I don’t need to switch to Esther and Edmund’s room.”
“Rooms,” Sara corrected, before adding, “Of course you do.That would free up the gold room you’re currently in and the green room across the hall for guests when you have overnight events.”
Essie reached for a sandwich and stuffed the delicious treat into her mouth to give her some time to answer. Sara was putting Zander and Essie together in a bedroom. She had plans for tonight, but how did Sara know that? After chewing carefully and taking a sip of tea to wash everything down, Essie met the housekeeper’s eyes.
“Not much happens around here that you don’t see, does it?” Essie asked.
“Staff discretion is an art form. I’m usually much more skilled in approaching things. I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”
“No, Sara. I appreciate you thinking ahead. For pure practicality, freeing up two rooms would increase our profit,” Essie said.
“You’ll enjoy the master suite. That’s not the one you remember from your visits here as a child. Esther redecorated the rooms after Edmund died. Staying on that floor was too painful for her. She never truly got over losing him. Esther wanted to leave that space ready for someone else to make their own memories there.”
Sara pulled a keyring with two large skeleton door keys and a smaller one out of her pocket. She gently pushed the ring across the tabletop toward Essie. “Go check out the rooms when you’re ready. I’ve refreshed the towels and sheets for you.”
“Three keys?” Essie asked, picking up the set to check out the old-fashioned elegance of the iron devices.
“You’ll want all three. Esther said that they were important. The largest key unlocks the master suite. It takes up almost the entire third floor. Those are the only rooms on that level. Maybe you’ll figure out what the other two open. I never could.”
“Thank you, Sara. I’ll go check out the area soon,” Essie said. “Hey. Can I ask if this bothers you? You know, the changes here at Ferguson’s Folly?”
“Nothing stays the same, Essie. I adore everything you’redoing. The sound of children’s laughter in the garden was so enjoyable. I’d forgotten how much I loved that. And the fairy ball next. This old house needed some life breathed back into it.”
“It was fun this afternoon, wasn’t it?”
“The best. I couldn’t help comparing the activities happening now to what I imagined serving Nelson would have been like.” Sara grimaced. “Your aunt was a wise woman. She knew who would take care of the home she loved so much.”
Warmth filled Essie. Sara’s words meant everything. Essie had hoped her aunt would have approved of her efforts.
Sara patted Essie’s hand lightly. “I’ll be off to check on how the cleaners are handling the ballroom.” She walked to the doorway and stopped to look back at Essie. “You go earn another sticker.” Sara disappeared before Essie could react.
Chapter Eight
Essie paced back and forth in the library. She should be working on the fairy ball, but all she could think about were the heavy keys lying on her desk. Something had told her to wait until Zander could go check out the rooms with her.
A warm, furry creature brushed against her ankle.
“Ahh!” she shrieked. Marmalade let out an annoyed yowl before bestowing another caress.
“Marmalade! You scared me,” Essie told him and leaned over to scratch behind the tomcat’s ears. “You always show up at the weirdest times.”
Marmalade meowed again, giving Essie the impression he agreed with her completely. Did he plan his arrivals that way?
“Do I have competition for your affection, Little girl?” a sexy voice asked from the doorway. He looked absolutely yummy in his battered jeans and boots.
