Page 93 of The Swan Syndicate
“It’s a shame Libby’s already dressed me.”
He touched the tip of her nose. “We’re home now, with obligations to our guests.”
She pouted. “I suppose.”
He pulled her close again. “But I have a surprise for later.” His eyes filled with mischief.
She shoved him away. “Let’s get you dressed before Barrington comes looking for you. Where’s your valet, anyway?”
“I gave Nigel the day off. His missus has been under the weather.”
Worry made her pause. Sickness in this century was nothing to laugh at. “Has a doctor seen her?”
“Yes, she just needs some rest. She’ll be fine soon enough.” He strolled to the dressing room with her following. “I should have an emerald jacket in here somewhere. I’m told the Osbornes are wearing blue.”
She grinned at Beckworth’s concern over fashion. Everything was going to work itself out.
Stella stopped in the kitchen before going up to the dining room. Mrs. Walker, the housekeeper, and Nellie, the cook, were busy inspecting the meal preparation while three footmen fussed with trays.
“Lady Stella. You didn’t need to come down.” Mrs. Walker glanced around as if ensuring everything was in order.
“Of course, I did. I wanted to tell you how marvelous everything looks and what a wonderful job you’ve all been doing in pampering our guests.”
She didn’t think it was possible for Mrs. Walker to blush.
“It’s no trouble at all, Lady Stella.”
“Stella! I’m surprised to find you down here.”
She turned in sync with Mrs. Walker. “Good morning, Mary.” She slid a glance to the housekeeper. “I was just telling everyone what a great job they were doing.”
“Oh, yes.” Mary wandered from counter to counter, eyeballing every detail, picking at this and that. “Not bad. Do we only have the strawberry tarts? Are there any more mince?”
Nellie hurried over. “They’re still in the oven, my lady. They should be out soon.”
“Very good.” Mary winked at Stella. “They’re Fitz’s favorite.”
“Is Fitz here? I thought it would be at least another day.”
She nodded. “From what Hensley said, they arrived just as everyone was returning from the morning hunt. They’ve been given rooms in the east wing, which they prefer, but promised to join us for breakfast.”
She took my arm as she steered me toward the stairs. “It’s so good to see you down here checking on the staff. From what I’ve observed…”
Stella turned and waved at the women, who smiled in return.
“Beckworth runs a very good household. So surprising without a woman’s touch. But you mustn’t let that deter you from checking before every meal.”
Breakfast bled into games of whist and chess in the solarium before an afternoon hunt, which Stella gracefully bowed out of, claiming she hadn’t had time to properly meet with the women. Thank god for some of this century’s archaic traditions. After lunch, once the riders were off, Dame Elizabeth cornered Stella as she walked out of the solarium and into the hazy sunny day.
The woman didn’t wait for any preamble as she pulled her wrap around her. “Walk with me.”
Stella grabbed a wrap from inside the door and quickly raced to catch up with her. Elizabeth didn’t say a word as they meandered through the winter garden where a few sprigs of green revealed themselves between the brown detritus of summer blooms. It wasn’t until they reached the lake that she found a bench for them to sit.
Stella wasn’t sure what this was about, but she sucked in a deep breath, preparing for whatever was bothering Elizabeth. No doubt it would explain the woman closely observing her since they’d returned home.
“I hear you ran into some trouble on your mission.”
She sighed. Another brave soul wanting to ensure she hadn’t jumped aboard the shuttle to crazy town.
