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Arthur returned the gesture but did not speak.

A second figure emerged from the carriage.

Miss Cecily.

She was considerably smaller than Arthur had expected, though blessed with an undeniably feminine figure that even the simplicity of a maid's uniform failed to disguise. Bright blonde hair peeked from beneath the edges of her cap, whilst sharp blue eyes settled upon him with a frankness that bordered upon insolence.

Though the two women bore little resemblance, there was something unmistakably familiar in her frankness that Arthur knew immediately whose sister she was.

"Your Grace," she said, curtseying with impeccable precision.

Arthur inclined his head in return.

"Miss Cecily. I am pleased to make your acquaintance," he said.

There was the faintest flicker of annoyance in her expression.

Before another word could be exchanged, Danbury cleared his throat, as though to remind Arthur of his presence. Arthur closed his eyes for the briefest fraction of a second.

Wonderful.

"Mrs Clapton," he said evenly, "if you would be so kind as to show Miss Cecily to her chambers."

Mrs Clapton appeared almost grateful for the instruction. Within moments, she had gently ushered the young woman inside, no doubt recognising the unmistakable spark in Miss Cecily's eyes that suggested her thoughts were unlikely to be fit for polite company.

Arthur watched them disappear into the house before finally turning back to the Earl.

"Very well, Danbury."

He gestured towards the entrance hall.

"Follow me."

The Earl attempted conversation almost immediately, speaking with the eager enthusiasm of a young spaniel desperate to earn approval.

Arthur answered politely where etiquette required, though little more than necessary. His circle had always been small. Two friends occupied it. He had never desired a third.

Once inside the study, Arthur crossed the floor to his desk without ceremony. He unlocked the top drawer, withdrew a neatly folded parchment bearing his seal and held it out towards the Earl.

"A copy of the draft my accountant has already been instructed to honour," he said evenly. "As agreed, in exchange for Miss Cecily's temporary services at Winworth."

Danbury accepted the parchment with poorly concealed eagerness.

Arthur watched as the Earl’s eyes travelled down the page, then widened. Danbury’s brows lifted almost imperceptibly before he caught himself and attempted to conceal his surprise.

Arthur had anticipated precisely that reaction.

The sum was undoubtedly generous, considerably more than the temporary loss of a housemaid warranted, but he had no desire to haggle over money where Eliza’s comfort was concerned. Danbury could have employed three housemaids in her place and still emerged from the arrangement richer for it. But if a substantial payment secured Miss Cecily’s release from Danbury’s household, then it was money well spent.

"My word..." Danbury murmured, looking up from the document. "This is exceedingly generous, Your Grace."

He glanced once more at the figures before carefully folding the parchment.

"Though," he continued with an amiable smile that Arthur did not entirely trust, "I daresay it reflects the value of such a distinguished maid, would you not agree?"

The slightest emphasis upon the word distinguished caused Arthur's gaze to sharpen.

Arthur had entertained similar suspicions himself over recent months, yet suspicion without proof remained nothing more than idle speculation. Whatever secrets existed between Danbury and the young maid were, for the present, none of his concern.