Page 45 of Why Do Earls Fall in Love?
Barely.
* * *
“The staff are assembledand ready, my lady.”
“Thank you, Chapman.” She beckoned the valet to take a seat across from her. “Before we go down, may I have a quick word?”
“Of course, madam.”
She regarded him with approval. “It looks as if you’ve done a most impressive job under strange and difficult circumstances. I need to hire a lady’s maid and it seems to me that she’ll require the same sort ofextraskills that you possess. I thought perhaps that you might know someone suitable.”
“What qualities are you looking for, my lady?”
“Well, she must be experienced. Someone who understands social intricacies and knows how to outfit a countess for whatever I might encounter. Goodness knows we’ll need someone around here with that sort of knowledge. She’ll need all the usual skills—repair and sewing and caring for a wardrobe and my rooms. In addition, though, I think I shall require someone with . . . backbone.”
“I see.”
“You do, I’m sure. I would guess that you exercise confidence and a certain savviness to be able to do your job and also interact with the staff, here.”
“True.”
“I will require the same in my maid. And loyalty. To me. I suspect I will need her to advocate for me here as well as to make me presentable for the outside.”
He gave her a shrewd look. “You are about to stir things up about here, aren’t you, ma’am?”
“Oh, yes. I believe I am.”
“Good. It’s time someone did.”
“So, do you think you might know someone who would be interested in the job?”
“Possibly.” He cleared his throat. “As you noted, I do attend to duties that are outside a valet’s usual purview. I am also very well compensated for doing so.”
“Oh, well, that should present no problem. You heard his lordship.” She waved a hand. “Apparently, money is no object. The right maid will, of course, be compensated for her extra qualities.”
“Very good. I believe I might know someone to ask. She is indeed experienced, but she is not best pleased with the situation she has now. She also has the . . . strength of character that you require.”
“Excellent. Will you set up a meeting?” She grimaced. “At a tea shop, perhaps. She must be warned before she shows up here.”
“Very wise. I will make the arrangements.”
“Thank you. Now, let’s see to the staff, shall we?”
They awaited her in the entry hall at the bottom of the stairs and a motley crew they were, too. She gazed intently at each of them, more than a little thrilled at the idea of using her abilities to figure them out.
A youngish man, perhaps in his mid-twenties, stood at the head of the line. He stepped forward and Chapman introduced him as Hurley.
“I am the house steward, ma’am. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
It was not a sentiment he professed with any level of sincerity, but Charlotte smiled warmly at him. “Goodness, you scarcely seem old enough to hold such a position of responsibility. You must be skilled indeed to have achieved such a post at so young an age.”
He smiled. “I do like to think so, ma’am,” he said smoothly. “My family has been connected with the earl’s for years. I am happy to serve in such a capacity.”
And happy to spy for the marquess?She recalled Gabriel’s words and looked him over carefully. He was quite smartly dressed and sported a waistcoat of silver grey, lavishly embroidered with a floral design in rose and white. “That is quite a beautiful waistcoat, Hurley.”
He preened the smallest bit. “Thank you, my lady. I enjoy a bit of fashion here and there.” He rolled his eyes. “I am not one of Brummel’s followers. Too plain for me. I do like a bit of color.”
“I agree with you there. I like a gentleman who can wear colors.”
