Robert turned his attention on the driver. “Did you propose marriage to Miss Salisbury?”
Tom straightened, obviously not expecting such a query. “I did, my lord. Last night, and she accepted,” he replied.
“Have you told the staff yet?”
“No, my lord,” Tom admitted. “I thought to during breakfast, but everyone was so excited about decorating the house.”
“Well, if you’d like, I can do it. I’m quite sure her ladyship has something planned for me later this afternoon?” Robert guessed, aiming an inquisitive expression in Ivy’s direction.
“I’d like that, my lord,” Tom acknowledged. “If we have your blessing.”
Robert gave a start, as if he hadn’t considered therepercussions of their marriage. He once again directed his gaze to Ivy. “Ritchfield Park is going to lose a housemaid,” he murmured.
“It was going to lose her anyway,” Ivy said. “Miss Salisbury has accepted my offer to become my new lady’s maid,” she explained. “If he goes to Castleford on Boxing Day, I’m quite sure Graves can post the position. It will no doubt be filled before you leave for York.”
A wince showed on Robert’s face, but only for an instant before it cleared. He turned to Tom. “You have my blessing.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Tom exhibited a look of relief and then directed a grin in Anne’s direction.
“Do what you must to keep her happy,” Robert stated.
“I will, my lord.”
“Never strike her in anger or raise your voice to her,” Robert went on. “Or I’ll see to it you never see her again.”
Tom’s eyes rounded. “No, my lord,” he replied, a look of alarm appearing. “I would never hit a woman, my lord.”
Robert inhaled and held the breath for a moment before letting it out. “Very good.” He stripped his gloves from his hands. “I’ll be in my study,” he said before he suddenly took his leave.
Ivy watched him go, a brow furrowed with worry. The earl’s last directives had been entirely unexpected, as had his departure. Turning to Tom, she asked, “Will you be able to finish what his lordship started?”
Tom regarded the pile of wires the earl had already cut. “It appears his lordship has cut enough wire to make a dozen more wreaths, my lady, so I shall continue making garlands for the stairs.”
Allowing a wan grin, Ivy nodded. She turned to Anne. “Come. Let’s go see what trouble the men have gotten themselves into with the Yule log.” She really wanted to go tothe study to speak with her husband, but thought to give him a few minutes alone.
“Yes, my lady.”
They paused as they passed the bottom of the stairs, Ivy giving Perkins a reassuring nod when she saw that he was nearly done with wrapping pine boughs around one of the railings. “It appears we’re going to need more bows for the stairs.”
“I can do it, my lady,” Anne offered. She dipped a curtsy and hurried off toward the kitchen where two other maids were busy with tying bows to greenery.
Surveying the great hall, Ivy couldn’t help but allow a sigh of satisfaction at finding a bright fire crackling in the fireplace. A length of greenery had been draped over the entire width of the mantel, and in front of the fireplace, a massive log lay resting on the hearth. She immediately moved to sit on it, grinning as she did so.
“Whatever are you doing?”
She looked up to see Robert leaning against the door jamb of the study, a look of amusement on his face. “Sitting on the Yule log. For good luck,” she replied. “I take it you don’t do this at Gladstone Hall any longer?”
He looked suitably chagrined. “The servants do, I’m sure,” he said before joining her to sit on the log. “Are we to light it now?”
Ivy noted how the work table that had been set up in the hall was now abandoned, the cuttings from the pine boughs and resulting needles now cleaned away. “We should probably wait until we can gather everyone together,” she said. “So they have a chance to sit on the log, too.”
“So... this isn’t a private affair?” he asked in a whisper.
A frisson skittered beneath Ivy’s skin, and she glanced about as if she was sure someone had paid witness to it. “Unfortunately, no. The entire household should be here to witness it since it’s a sign of good luck and good health.” When she saw he was about to bark an order, she placed a hand on his arm. “Thank you for giving Walker your blessing,” she whispered.
Robert stilled and turned to regard her with furrowed brows. “I wasn’t about to deny him,” he replied. “He has a second chance at life with a woman for whom he obviously cares a great deal.”
Awestruck at hearing the comment, Ivy’s mouth dropped open. “And yet the recommendations you made to him were rather... odd. Is everything all right?”
