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More seriously, Rhys added, “Casey will be well looked after.”
“I know.” It was just that Cameron wanted to be the one looking after her.
Soon.
CHAPTER 13
Casey slept well again that night, and again woke with Gentleman Jack on her pillow. She suspected he’d gone out the cat door during the night to explore his new home. Scratching his head, she said, “You’ve already discovered the kitty breakfast room, I imagine. We’ve found ourselves a fine nest here.”
She rose to add a few coals to the fire, then saw that a note had been slipped under the door. She picked it up and saw that it was from Cameron.
Casey—I must go down to Chatham for a couple of days. But I’ll be home in time for the Christmas Ball. Please save a dance or two for me. Cameron.
She hadn’t realized how much she looked forward to seeing him later until she learned that she wouldn’t. With a sigh, she splashed cold water on her face, then dressed and descended to the breakfast room.
She found Gwyn and Rhys enjoying breakfast. She smiled and said, “Cameron left me a note saying he was going to Chatham for a couple of days, so I hope the two of you won’t have to deal with any villains today.”
They both laughed. Gwyn said, “Today we’ll be decorating the ballroom and similar innocent activities. Though there might be some disagreements about the decorations!”
After Casey helped herself to breakfast and settled at the table, Rhys said, “I do have a task in mind if you’re interested. Cameron told me that you’re very good with accounts and numbers and rather enjoy working with them. I’m currently without a secretary and rather overcome with paperwork. Would you be willing to help me out?”
“I’d love to,” she said. “I’m not used to being idle.”
Naomi entered the breakfast room then. “You won’t be idle! I’ll need some of your time for fittings later today.”
Casey made a face. “I would prefer doing accounts, but I shall cooperate with your struggles to improve my appearance.”
Rhys said, “Naomi, I have her in the morning so you can do your fittings in the afternoon, if Casey agrees.”
“I love that everyone always asks what I want to do,” Casey said quietly. “It’s a luxury I haven’t had.”
“You do now,” Gwyn said with a smile. “Though you’ll find it difficult to avoid Naomi and her alterations!”
“I’ll invite Tamsyn over so she can join in the fun,” Naomi said.
Casey frowned. “With two of you, I’ll be outnumbered!”
“Tamsyn will be there for balance,” Naomi explained. “Sometimes I get overenthusiastic. She’s more practical.”
Gwyn nodded. “Very true.”
After finishing breakfast, Casey followed Rhys to his office. As they entered, he said, “I’m sure you can imagine the complexities of overseeing a large family and a number of properties, but it’s certainly less than managing accounts for the Royal Navy!”
Casey laughed. “Numbers are numbers and I enjoy working with them, but I only did a few of the dockyard accounts. Granted they were large accounts, but I expect yours will be more interesting. Where do you want me to start?”
Rhys explained what needed doing first, and she fell happily into the familiar work. With all she was being given, she needed to be giving back.
By the end of her morning session, she’d learned that Rhys and Gwyn were excellent managers and that the earldom of Tremayne was vastly wealthy. Which was fortunate, given their large family and how well they paid their servants. They were good and generous employers.
As promised, Naomi carried Casey off to her lair in the afternoon. She started with ear piercing. The process made Casey wince, but it reminded her of her mother, who had pierced her ears the first time when she was a child. Thoughts of her mother were good, but the needle still hurt.
After Naomi finished the piercing, she produced a pair of simple gold posts. “These are a gift from Gwyn,” she said as she showed the posts on her open palm. “Since she is mother to us all, she wanted you to have them.”
Casey bit her lip, then nodded. After the posts were gently inserted, Naomi handed her a bottle containing a clear liquid. “Clean your ears with this twice a day.”
“Is it water?”
“No, gin. Very good for keeping wounds clean,” Naomi explained.
