Page 65 of Rescued from Betrayal
“I am sorry, sir. I had hoped to save you from any more stress after the circumstances of your marriage. When Lady Kendall asked me to return the first few stolen pieces, I did not think much of it, but I should have suspected when the letters kept coming.”
“I should release you for such underhandedness.”
The older woman’s shoulders sagged. “I know, sir. You have every right. I take full responsibility for my part. No other servants were involved.”
He appreciated the housekeeper's straightforward and honest confession. “It does not lie entirely on your shoulders, Mrs. Thompson. Lady Kendall is the one who carries most of the blame. From now on I expect all correspondence from that household to be brought directly to me, no matter who it is addressed to.”
Mrs. Thompson appeared doubtful but nodded her understanding.
“And I shall be docking your pay until the jewelry is recovered.”
“You mean I am not to be let go?”
“I thought that was clear when I ordered you to bring me the Kendall letters.”
The matronly woman straightened, her expression lightening. “Yes, sir. I mean, it is now. Thank you.”
“One more thing.”
“Anything, sir.”
“You will put a stop to any mistreatment of Lady Stanford.”
“Someone has been unkind to your mother?” Mrs. Thompson scowled, her hands balling into fists.
“Not thedowagerLady Stanford.MyLady Stanford.” The possessiveness he put into the words shook something loose in his head.Hislady. Melior was his. For the first time the reality of it struck him.
Mrs. Thompson’s expression flattened. The housekeeper had been around since he was a boy, but he would not stand for any resistance where his wife was concerned. Nathaniel crossed his arms and widened his stance. The woman's face broke into a smile.
“If I might say, it is nice to see you finally taking charge, sir.”
His mouth went slack.
“I will make sure Jenny and Helen keep a civil tongue in their heads.”
“I have let Helen go.”
Mrs. Thompson dipped her chin. “I wondered if that had been the case when she fetched me, but her tears were so thick I only understood something about the missing jewelry. She did not have anything to do with their disappearance, though.”
“I know, but my decision still stands.”
Someone stepped in through the open door behind him and Mrs. Thompson dropped her gaze.
“Nathaniel, may I speak to you?”
Melior’s voice was steady, no trace of tears or hesitancy.
He dismissed Mrs. Thompson, waiting until her steps had completely receded down the hall before he spoke.
“What is it, Melior?”
“I know what Baylor did was wrong—”
“You mean Helen?”
“It is customary that when a maid becomes a lady’s maid she is given the respect of using her surname.”
He sighed. “I suppose I was as offensive to her as she was to you when she addressed you as Kendall.”
