Page 22 of To Heal a Broken Earl
“That’s really not necessary,” he replied, ensuring his voice remained gentle. He admired her determination, but there was no way he was actually letting her take the role of housekeeper. “I’ve already asked Stanhope to seek out candidates for the housekeeping position.” He had no intention of having her don a chatelaine around her waist. He was grateful for an earlier discussion with Hastings, who had suggested a different approach altogether.
“Don’t do that, my lord,” Hastings had cautioned. “It simply won’t mix well with the household. I was surprised Lady Beadle suggested it, but held my tongue. It’ll confuse everyone involved. She’s a lady—a woman of distinction—and to be blunt,it’ll stir the servants up worse than you can imagine, having her ordering people about as the housekeeper. They won’t know how to treat her, and that’ll cause all sorts of chaos.”
Michael had always viewed a chatelaine as more of a status symbol for a housekeeper than a useful tool—unless everything was kept under lock and key. His mother had organized their home with items stored in unlocked cabinets and did not wear any outward symbols of authority. He credited that Lady Beadle had had the best of intentions when she brought up the vacant position to Emma, her interest in securing Emma and Katie a home that would take them out of London and away from the arsonist, but he could not—no, hewould notplace a lady in that position. Emma wouldnotbe his housekeeper.
“I have a special request,” he continued, taking on a serious tone. “But let us adjourn to the parlor down the hall.”
As Michael, Emma, and Katie, with Finn in tow, left the room, they met Doris in the hallway.
“I thought Katie and Finn might enjoy going outside for a little fresh air,” the maid said.
“Oh yes—Aunt Emma, may we?” Katie asked. Finn barked as if in agreement.
“Certainly. But stay close to the house,” Emma said.
“We plan to stay in the gardens. They are fenced in, and I can give them some freedom without worrying about chasing after them,” Doris said.
Emma laughed. “That’s an excellent idea. I saw the gardens earlier this morning, and it’s an excellent area for them.”
The parlor wasn’t nearly as nice as the breakfast room, which also needed renovation, but it provided a modicum of privacy for the impending discussion. Michael wanted to convince Emma that he needed her to help him renovate. He surveyed the room, taking in the bald spots on the carpetthat had long needed replacement. The blue-and-white damask curtains hanging over the main window were soiled and frayed by dust and age.
Emma and Michael stood in the center of the room.
“As you can see, this room is in desperate need of renovation,” he began. “I require someone who possesses a keen sense of interior design. I want someone who understands how furnishings work together—how colors complement each other and how they work with different spaces. I need someone withyourskills, especially at a time when I find myself in dire need of such expertise.”
“Michael, I know little about what goes into renovating a room,” Emma protested, looking a little flustered.
“You understand how colors and fabrics work together, correct?” he asked.
“Well…yes. I know how a house runs, but my only experience with decorating is with my own clothing.”
“You decide on fabrics you like to wear?” he persisted. “Fabrics that show your best qualities, and work well on you?”
“Well, yes. Of course. But my lo—Michael, I have never overseen decorating a room and have never decided what color paint to use on the walls.”
“It’s been my experience that most women have been raised to much of this. All that weighs on my mind is the expectation that, as an earl, I should possess a stylish residence and be capable of entertaining. I find myself uncertain about it, but you are used to these things. You seem well-versed in these affairs, and I suspect you have an instinct for it. Would you consider taking on that responsibility?”
Emma paused, her brows knitting together in thought. “Only on one condition, my lord—”
“Michael,” he interrupted, his voice imbued with warmth.
“Yes…Michael,” she continued, her tone more resolute. “I’ll agree on one condition. You will be part of my selection process. That is, you tell me your favorite colors. You also must tell me what you don’t like and how you want the room to feel, and…” She paused for a moment, as if to emphasize the next point. “And occasionally, accompany me to the village to give me your opinions on colors and fabrics.”
“Is that truly all you need?” he asked, eyebrow raised.
She nodded firmly. “Yes, of course. Your opinion is important because this is your home, and you should enjoy your surroundings. I shan’t bother you too much. I am certain you will have your hands full with the accounts and the property. Knowing what colors you like will be of great help to me. I will do my best to transform this into a place you can be proud of.”
Michael’s expression turned thoughtful. Lately, Michael had found himself drawn to bright reds and golds, like the colors in her hair, and the soft violet of her eyes. “There’s one more item to discuss, Emma.”
She looked at him with a puzzled expression. “Are you having structural changes made to the rooms?”
“No, no. Nothing like that.” He cleared his throat, hoping she would accept his next suggestion. He didn’t want to argue with her, but both she and Katie had meager belongings and the clothes they had managed to take with them on the night of the fire. Had they stayed with Lady Beadle, the older woman would have immediately repaired her wardrobe. “A modiste will arrive tomorrow. She will bring fashionable fabric swatches and patterns and will collaborate with you and Katie for new dresses in line with the latest fashions,” Michael said, clearing his throat. He tried not to imagine Emma standing in her shift as the modiste took her measurements, but he was having a difficult time.
“No…Michael. That’s too much. You’ve been so generous already,” Emma protested.
“Nonsense.” His voice was gentle, but direct. “I did not give you enough time to take care of this issue, given how quickly we left London. I insist on this and will brook no arguments. A lady needs more than one dress, and so does a little girl.”
“I am not arguing. But Iinsiston paying for our clothing. I do have some funds that I was able to find before we left the house.”
