“Are youtapped?” Jenkins’s face was pure indignation. “Why in t’ world would his lordship offer his own bed to . . . ’T’ain’t generous, sir, ’tis . . . Why, ’tis ledgeful, Cuthbert. Outrageous! Miss Merrinan should’ve been brought at once t’ my chamber, sir. Have you no decency at all?”
A sea of faces turned to John, the maids looking scandalized and the men all looking sheepish; they knew why Wells had brought his housekeeper to his bed. Yet everyone expected the Abbey’s steward to answer the cook, and damned if John had an explanation for Mrs. Jenkins. At least, no honorable one.
“Ma’am.” He opted for charm, flashing her a half-smile. “We’re an unruly lot, I fear, havin’ lived here too long now without finer company such as yerself. I’m afraid I didn’t think, see, when I brought Miss Merrinan in. I simply brought her to the nearest, warmest bed, which happened t’ be his lordship’s room. There ain’t enough rooms t’ go round yet in the Abbey, as I’m sure you know, or I’d’ve brought her elsewhere.” He tried to look contrite while lying. “’Course his lordship frowned too, at first, at me behavior, he did. Only he were kind enough not t’ insist she be moved. Offered to take her room himself tonight. And there ain’t many like him would do as much, no indeed. Lord Wellesley’s proved himself a more decent and honorable master’n most, ma’am. So I’d kindly ask you let things be. Not embarrass his lordship more by callin’ into fact his house ain’t ordered well enough t’ offer so much as a spare bed with heat.He’s doin’ his best, ma’am, t’ bring the Abbey back, same as he does his best by his staff, too.”
Mrs. Jenkins looked only slightly mollified. “Well,” she puffed, “I certainly shouldn’t wish t’ embarrass his lordship more, Cuthbert. But if Miss Merrinan’s no better by t’morrow she’ll be brought t’myroom t’ recover, eh?” Her eyes met his in warning.
“O’ course, ma’am. I’m sure Miss Merrinan’ll speak with you herself come mornin’.” This seemed to finally settle the cook and John breathed a sigh, as did the men about him. Not a one of them wished the housekeeper ill anymore, not since she’d traded them the village doxie for their silence. After all, she’d done more to improve their lives here than their Captain had . . . thus far.
“Yer Grace!” Cuthbert’s voice softly called through the door. “Supper, sir!”
Wells ushered his man in.
“How is she?” John plunked down the tray.
“Still asleep.” Wells nodded towards Charles. “But she did wake, briefly. I don’t think the blow was as bad as it looks, lost a fair bit of blood though. She’ll have a rousing headache come morning, I suspect.”
“Oi,” Cuthbert agreed. “Could’ve been worse. Came on out o’ nowheres, that storm. Thought we’d time enough t’ make it back.”
“Thank you for getting her here safely, John.” Wells met his steward’s eyes.
“O’ course, Yer Grace, only I’m afraid we’ve another matter on our hands, sir.”
“Oh?”
“Mrs. Jenkins, sir, insisted on seein’ Miss Merrinan herself, and one thing led t’ another ’til I were forced to tell the cook I’d brought the gel here, t’ yer room. And then she . . .” He sighed. “Let’s just say I quick talked me way t’ keep yon housekeeper’s honor intact.”
“Damn these women and their incessant need for respectability,” Wells ground out, rolling his eyes.
“Aye,” Cuthbert muttered. “And I’ve worse news yet, Yer Grace. You’re sleepin’ in Miss Merrinan’s room tonight,” he told him.
“I’ll do no such thing.”
“’Course not, sir.” Cuthbert smirked. “Only y’ might at least rumple the bed in there. Y’ know, make itlookslept in.”
Wells harrumphed. “Have Fergus bed there tonight. He’s about my height. I wouldn’t put it past our new cook to go sneaking about. I’ll lock this room too.”
“Aye, sir.” Cuthbert was fairly grinning.
“And the visit, John?” Wells changed the subject. “Was Charles happy to see her family?”
“Yes, sir. Her sister were too, Yer Grace.”
“Good.”
“I’m right glad t’ see the two o’ you gettin’ along better, sir,” Cuthbert offered.
Wells shot him a look. “I take it you are no longer scouring the countryside for a different mistress for me then?”
“No, Yer Grace.” Cuthbert sobered. “I happen t’ like Miss Merrinan fine, sir, though I’d warn you not t’ lose more’n yer bed to her.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Wells frowned at his man.
“Seen the way you looked when I brought her in.”
Their eyes met.
“Am I not allowed concern for another person, John?” Wells was careful of his tone.
