Page 27 of Sinfully Wed
“Holly? Like the shrub?”
“Indeed. He’s quite a big fellow. Reminds me of some of the dockworkers in Spittal with his size. A mite terrifying, which should be helpful if Lady Longwood or her terrible son attempt to call once more.”
“Are we in fear of that?”
“She sent a note demanding some of Bentley’s things.” Tamsin waved about the overly-decorated drawing room. “Claiming they were family heirlooms and should be given into her keeping. Conveniently enough, there is no longer anyone here who can say differently.”
“Don’t allow her to set foot in this house. Did you check references for this Holly?”
Tamsin raised a brow. “He was the only one who applied for the position of butler. And I did ask for a reference and was provided one.”
“Onereference? Hardly acceptable, Tamsin.”
Jordan made his way to the sideboard, hoping a healthy glass of whiskey would dispel the scent of onion clinging to his clothes and tongue. Unlike Dunnings, therewasan actual sideboard in this drawing room. And clean glasses of matched crystal.
“I was surprised that no one else applied for the position of butler, but I assume that hag, Lady Longwood,” her lip curled slightly, “has put out that it would be undesirable to be in the employ of the Earl of Emerson because no one else dared come to the door. Holly has had a checkered past, and thus isn’t overly concerned with gossip. He asked for a chance, and I decided to give him one. The lone reference in his possession was very favorable.”
Jordan paused. “Whiskey? You look as if you are exhausted with tea.”
His sister nodded. “And decorum. I’d forgotten how dull I find this.”
Splashing whiskey into two glasses, Jordan sat across from his sister and the remnants of the tea tray. Snatching up a tiny sandwich of watercress, he popped it in his mouth and waited for her to continue.
Tamsin took a sip of the whiskey, smiling to herself. “Oh, that’s lovely.”
“Holly,” Jordan reminded her.
“Yes, well, Holly had an altercation with his previous employer, Lord Belmont. He may have spent some time imprisoned for a time due to a false claim made against him.”
“Might have?”
“Very well, he was definitely imprisoned, but the accusations against him were false. Before Belmont, he was in the employ of Lady Carver, who wrote favorably of Holly.”
“I see. Did he steal from Belmont?”
“He did not. Belmont insisted Holly had taken a pair of cufflinks studded with rubies, but those were later found in the possession of Belmont’s valet. Stuck in a shoe. Holly was released, but his reputation was ruined, largely because Lord Belmont decided that Holly must have taken something, though he was incorrect about the cufflinks.” Tamsin rolled her shoulders, stretching her neck. “His lordship was overly familiar with Holly,” she said in a low tone, though there was no one about to hear her. “He told me in confidence. But Holly refused his advances. I’m not sure why Belmont would ever think for a moment—well, you’ll understand when you meet Holly. This.” She held the whiskey aloft. “Is much more appealing than ratafia.”
Tamsin had been attempting ratafia as of late, because that is what a ladyshoulddrink, but thus far found the overly sweet wine to be a terrible substitute for whiskey.
“You don’t have to change yourself completely, Tamsin. Or at all.”
“But I do, Jordy. Here I am, Lady Tamsin. And there is Aurora to consider. I’m trying not to add more fuel to the fire of Lady Longwood’s hostilities towards us.”
His sister was a stubborn sort. Now that she decided to conform to society, Tamsin was full of determination to master the skills required of her. She hadn’t yet been sixteen when the family was banished to Dunnings, and possessed the basics. As much as Lady Longwood liked to preach that the Sinclairs hadn’t been raised with an ounce of respectability, Mother had insisted her children possess manners and know the correct way to hold a fork, but she hadn’t been overly concerned on which fork should be used. Like a muscle that isn’t used often enough, the trappings of society had faded away when confronted by the reality of their situation in the remote wilds of Northumberland. After all, there had been no reason to be Lady Tamsin in Spittal.
“I want to show I am capable. Be a lady. I refuse to prove Lady Longwood correct.”
Ah. So that is where his sister’s resolve came from. Lady Longwood detested all of them, but Tamsin in particular. Probably because his sister so strongly resembled their mother. “What happened?”
Tamsin flopped back against the cushions of the settee. “Aurora and I visited a modiste as you instructed. A lengthy undertaking, Jordan. Far more than I remember. Apparently, neither Aurora nor I have anything proper to wear as sisters of the Earl of Emerson. The modiste nearly fainted at the sight of our underthings.” A breath left her. “At any rate, once our measurements were taken, I purchased some ready-made dresses until our wardrobes are finished. A large order. Madame says we are woefully lacking everything. Gowns. Dresses for paying calls. Gloves. Riding habits.”
Jordan snorted.
“I didn’t have the heart to explain to Madame Theriot that I ride astride and prefer breeches. She was dreadfully excited about the emerald velvet she was holding up to my cheek.” She bit her lip. “Imighthave also exchanged pleasantries with Lady Longwood.”
So, today’s decorum lesson was a sort of penance. “Should I make the assumption that pleasantries can be interpreted a myriad of ways?”
“Correct.”
