“I’m so sorry to be a bother to you,” Sarah said. “My own maid is… was… indisposed.”
“Don’t ye worry about that.”
“Also… I find I’m quite without my normal wardrobe.” Sarah blushed.
“No matter about that either. If His Lordship says ye are to be here quietlike, I won’t tell a soul or repeat anything I know about any of this. Ye can be certain about that.”
“Thank you.” Sarah turned and laid her hand on the housekeeper’s. “I’ve only known you less than a day, Mrs. Hamilton, but somehow I feel I can trust you.”
Mrs. Hamilton smiled at that. “I’ve known the master since he was a babe and there’s no finer man. If he tells me ye’re in trouble and need his help, I don’t ask questions. I merely want ta help.”
“That’s kind of you.” Sarah turned back around and smiled at the older woman’s reflection in the looking glass. “What was Master Christian like as a child? I simply cannot picture him as a small boy.”
A look of joy flourished across the housekeeper’s face. “Oh, he was the cutest little towheaded thing ye’d ever like ta see. The nicest boy. Always helping others. A bit shy, mind ye, but so kind and thoughtful. Never acting lordly or arrogant like some of these baby blue bloods tend ta. No offense, my lady.”
“None taken,” Sarah replied with a laugh. “And that sounds like him.”
“He was so sweet and happy. He and his cousin Harriet were inseparable. She lives in Bath now. A married lady is Harriet.”
“He told me about her. He said she nearly burned down her doll house and he rebuilt it.”
“Yes, he did. He spent nearly his entire summer home from Eton rebuilding that thing. Harriet loved him so for it.”
Sarah glanced down at the top of the dressing table. “He has no brothers or sisters?”
“No.”
Sarah glanced up again and met the housekeeper’s gaze in the mirror. “What were his parents like?” Sarah hesitated only a moment before asking, “Is his mother still living?”
An unmistakably sad look passed over Mrs. Hamilton’s face. “No. Neither of them is living. The old lord died nearly ten years ago now. A bad heart. And Her Ladyship, why, she died when Master Christian was just a young boy. Not yet five years old.”
Sarah gasped. “Oh, no. How awful.”
“’Twas a sad, sad time here, ta be sure, my lady.”
Sarah cleared her throat. “What happened to her?”
Mrs. Hamilton shook her head again. “Fever. It was dreadful that year. His Lordship came down with it, too. He recovered. We took young Master Christian away so he wouldn’t get sick. He never had a chance ta say good-bye ta his mama. Even when she was in the throes of it and we knew it wasn’t likely that she’d live, she refused ta have him brought back so she could say good-bye ta him. She didn’t want to take the chance that he might catch it. She probably saved his life. But the poor boy didn’t understand where she’d gone. Ran all over the house looking for her. Calling for her.”
Tears stung Sarah’s eyes. She swallowed hard. “That’s dreadful.… And his father? Did you know him?”
“I did.” Mrs. Hamilton shook her head. “And my mama told me never ta speak ill o’ the dead. So that’s all I have ta say about that man. Never gave Master Christian a bit of rest, did he. Demanded so much from him. Too much, if ye ask me. But that’s all I’ll say on the matter.”
“I understand.” Sarah wasn’t about to break Christian’s confidence and tell the woman that she’d already heard a bit about how awful his father had been, but Mrs. Hamilton’s words confirmed her impression of the former viscount.
Mrs. Hamilton heaved a sigh. “The master’s grown up with such a good sense of humor and always quick ta laugh. But don’t let him fool you. He’s known pain, he has. I just wish he could find a young lady and settle down. That’s why when I saw ye last night… well, ye know I thought… hoped, ye was the new lady of the house.”
Sarah glanced away. “The fact is that I’m… engaged to be married to someone else.”
Mrs. Hamilton sighed once more. “A pity, my lady. A pity. But I must say that your young man, whoever he is, is quite fortunate.”
Sarah nodded slowly. “Thank you. I’m certain Lord Berkeley will find someone who suits him just fine.”
“Ifhe goes ta town next Season. He said he was thinking of staying here next year.” Another sad head shake from Mrs. Hamilton.
Sarah brightened and smiled at the woman. “He told me he intends to come to London. I’ve given him some advice.”
“I’m glad ta hear it, my lady. I’ve been afraid he may be near ta giving up.”
