Page 24 of Forbidden Lord
“Who works for me.” Matteo puffed his chest out like he'd argue with Patrice.
Sheena stepped forward. In school, one of her teachers on decorum discussed how a lady might circumvent unpleasant circumstances with polite manners. Sheena lifted her chin and spoke in a pleasant tone, “Introduce me to your secretary, Matteo, as we intended—he wasn’t in Villa Sogno when I met everyone else.”
Matteo held her waist and nodded at the older man in a navy blue suit made for him twenty pounds ago. “Mr. Alfonso, this is my wife, Sheena Korbel, the Countess of Golchin.”
Patrice didn't straighten her shirt that was falling low and revealing her bra strap as she said, “I was closing my account here and paying back everything I owed, as well as leaving the wedding bills that were sent to me. Your housekeeper said the two of you were busy, but that I could talk to Mr. Alfonso about my business.”
Nothing wrong with that. Patrice shouldn’t have to pay for the wedding, especially since Sheena had been the bride. Sheena nodded and said, “Excellent. Matteo, stay and help. I’ll go ring for tea and coffee to be served in the afternoon sitting room.”
Patrice called out from behind her, “The afternoon sitting room? You know where that is?”
Sheena smiled and refused to even blink. Her adrenaline rushed, as Patrice was right. She hadn't learned the house, but for now she needed to count on what Matteo had told her—that the staff would find her. “Of course. Matteo, finish this business and I’ll meet you there.”
She made her way back down the hall and remembered her directions. The sun set in the west, so an afternoon serving of tea would be best in that direction.
Now she needed to find a window so she could figure out which way that was.
She opened a door to a room that seemed like a sitting room with green and white chairs that almost matched her dress.
She twirled around. There was no direct sun, but she thought this might be in the south direction.
The door opened behind her and a housekeeper dressed in black entered. Sheena held the folds of her dress still and gave a polite nod of her head. “Hello, I’m Sheena, Countess Golchin. I was hoping to introduce myself and ask if you can help me.”
The woman bowed to her as she said, “Fiona Pierce, at your service ma’am.”
Manners were impeccable here, it seemed. Perhaps that was why Matteo had spent his life rebelling. She offered to shake Fiona's hand and said, “Are you the head housekeeper?”
The woman's grip was firm and she nodded. “I am.”
Good. Sheena had helped her father manage one of the most profitable restaurants in all of Paris and had years of running benefits and training to be a lady.
This was the first time she'd ever introduced herself this way, as a countess, and her heart raced. She stuck to a business tone. “This weekend I’ll be hosting a benefit to introduce myself topolitesociety. I hope the household can handle the event?”
“Of course,” Fiona said. "We have a formal dining service that can host five hundred in the ballroom.”
Sheena stood taller, happy she had her list already in the hidden pocket of her dress. “My husband and I went to speak to Mr. Alfonso regarding the invitations.”
Fiona said, “You can give them to me, ma’am, and I’ll ensure he receives them.”
She reached into her pocket for the USB drive with her invites and handed them over. “Perfect. Thank you.”
Fiona accepted the device and put it in her own pocket. “I’m happy to serve you, Countess Golchin.”
Sheena relaxed slightly. “And now for your advice. My husband’s ex-girlfriend is here. We’ll need tea served. I said an afternoon sitting room but I don’t know the house.”
“The light is wrong in here to show the new countess at her best as hostess,” Fiona said, and Sheena breathed easier. Fiona understood light and settings. The housekeeper guided her down an adjacent hall. “This way.” The walls here would be perfect for warmer colors, though she’d install uplighting wherever she needed it for her art shows.
Fiona opened a door at the end of the hall and asked, “Will this do?”
This room had a light-green effect with pops of white. The setting sun outside added the right light stream to show off the room like a glow and the gardens with a pool were just past the window. Sheena placed her hand on her hip with pleasure. “Perfect.” She turned toward the grand piano. “Does the piano play?”
“It’s in tune.” Fiona turned to leave. “I’ll get the tea served…”
Sheena called out, “Wait.” Fiona faced her again and Sheena asked, “Do you have a moment, Ms. Pierce?”
The housekeeper folded her hands in front of her. “Yes. What’s on your mind?”
Sheena’s heart beat faster again. But all those years in school had led her to this moment of running a large household. She ignored the twitches in her skin that made her jumpy and said in a nice, even tone, “My husband mentioned that the staff changes the furniture often.”
