“There now, save yer ardor for his grace, woman, enough already,” he grumbled.
Charles roughly wiped her eyes and stepped back to apologize. “Forgive me, Cuthbert, I was overcome is all. The door shut behind me and I could not . . . It would not . . .”
He frowned. “And just what were you doin’ in this part o’ the house, miss?”
“I was exploring the Abbey as I am to be?—”
He grabbed her roughly to haul her from the turret and propel her firmly down the hall before him. “More like tryin’ t’ run off again, I’m sure. His grace’ll hear o’ this. I told him you were more trouble’n you’re worth, and he’ll hear it again from me straightaways.”
“Mr. Cuthbert,” Charles protested, “I am to be housekeeper here at Almsdale Abbey and as such I must insist you?—”
“You insist onnothin’,” he growled, dragging her behind him till she was nearly tripping over her steps. “Damn Cumberland woman,” he muttered. “Why can’t you be as accommodatin’ as yer sister? She’s got more sense in her pinky than you’ve got in yer?—”
“You’ve spoken with my sister?” Charles dug in her heels, resisting his grasp, though he was stronger and continued to drag her forward. “What does she say? How does she fare?”
He was still muttering to himself. “She’s a sight better’n you, dressed in men’s clothes. What the devil his grace sees in you I?—”
“Cuthbert, tell me at once of my sister,” Charles demanded.
He stopped to glare at her, his hold on her still tight. “Miss Eleanor is well, and thanked me kindly for the basket o’ food and invited me to tea like a proper lady. And she neither spits nor shouts nor swears like the hellionyouis, miss.”
Charles scowled at him. “You have taken tea with my sister, Cuthbert?” She arched a brow. “How she can stand five minutes in your company amazesmesir, for yes, Eleanor isa lady, unlikemyself—because I have done everything in my power to ensure she remains one.”
She saw him wince.
“I take it you’ve met our father too? And see how we live? Do you think he’d be alive still if I’d the luxury of behaving as Eleanor does?” Her eyes bored into him. “I do what I must, sir, even if it means stealing chickens, so as to ensure my sister remains the honorable woman she was born. So don’t you dare compare us further.”
Charles heard clapping as Lord Wellesley came into view. “Well said, Miss Merrinan. Well said.”
Both she and Cuthbert scowled in equal turn at his lordship.
“Found her locked in the turret, Yer Grace, sneakin’ about. No doubt lookin’ t’ escape.”
“My lord, inform your man I was but surveying the rooms I am to oversee as housekeeper here, and that I appreciate neither his tone nor his rough handling of my person.” Charles again tried unsuccessfully to free herself from Cuthbert’s grip.
Lord Wells looked at the two, a shine in his eye. “I see staff proves difficult yet again . . . And here I was pleased with myself for convincing Mrs. Jenkins to come cook for us.”
“You did, my lord?” Charles’s thoughts immediately shifted. “Oh, that is wonderful news! You won’t regret it, I assure you. Did you try her rum nicky? It’s her best dish.”
Only Cuthbert yanked her back into line. “Don’t you interrupt his grace when he’s talkin’, gel.”
“John,” Wells admonished, “you are to treat Miss Merrinan with the respect she is due as housekeeper here.”
Cuthbert’s eyes widened, at last letting go her arm.
Wellesley’s brow darkened. “As my steward and my housekeeper I shall depend upon you both to keep the rest of Almsdale’s staff in line, and childish disagreements, such as theone displayed just now, shall not be tolerated. Do I make myself clear?” He eyed them both sharply.
“Yes, sir,” they mumbled, heads down.
“Good. Now I’d like a word with Cuthbert first, before I deal with you, miss, so I advise you to head to my room where you will find paper and ink still, that you begin a list of household supplies needed. As I am sure you have seen, there is a mountain of work to be done here, and I’d like you to start forthwith.”
“Of course, my lord.” Charles curtsied in Lord Wellesley’s breeches, a ridiculous sight she was sure.
His lordship smirked before adding, “And you may wish tostand, rather than sit, while your write your list, Miss Merrinan,” making her ears burn as she walked away.
***
John Cuthbert launched straight in the moment she was gone, livid that Lord Wells had made this woman housekeeper of Almsdale. The last thing he needed was a hot-tempered miss ordering him about.
