Page 38 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
That might happen in my dreams, but I sorely doubt it will become a reality for me.
Juliana pushed the door open, dutifully curtsying at the entrance because the housekeeper seemed to prefer such behaviour from those lesser in standing.
“Good day, Mrs Black. May I speak to you?”
“What does your need to speak to me concern?” the woman asked.
“The bills that you regularly ask me to organise. I have noticed a discrepancy.”
The housekeeper’s eyes widened. It was difficult to tell if Mrs Black was in shock that she was wrong about something, or in shock that Juliana had dared speak of it to her.
“What discrepancy would this be, Isabella? Come forward and show it to me.”
Juliana tentatively approached the housekeeper’s desk and placed the bills on the table.
“The candlestick maker is charging you fifty pence more than usual, and he has not indicated that the price of the candles has increased. The vegetable vendor overcharged you by two shillings on four occasions. I did a few calculations.”
Juliana pulled out a dirty piece of paper with charcoal writing all over it. Lady Stratford tended to waste writing paper, often throwing away perfectly good parchment with just a few scratchings on it.
Juliana always took the paper for herself, made it flat by using enough weight on it, and hid it under her mattress for whenever she might need it. She didn’t have any writing pens, so a piece of charcoal had to suffice.
“Rummaging through our lady’s wastebasket, I see,” said Mrs Black.
“Only if necessary.”
“I suppose looking over the accounts was necessary?”
Oh, this is about to go horribly wrong, isn’t it? I should have never dared to open my mouth and voice my concerns.
“It was not done with the intention to disrespect anyone, Mrs Black. I believe the candlestick maker and vegetable vendor to be crooked people who have taken advantage of your trust.”
Mrs Black didn’t reply as she brought said bills and calculations closer to her. Juliana continued to stand with her hands clasped before her, hoping the woman would not punish her instead. All Juliana had wished to do was protect anything that belonged to the duke, and that included accurate accounts. It was his money that paid these people, after all.
“Charlatans!” the housekeeper hissed.
The woman had used the plural and not singular, which could mean Juliana was not in trouble ... yet.
“They will have to be brought to task,” the woman continued, “but I cannot have the duke or Lady Stratford know about this.”
Mrs Black appeared to be talking to herself and seemingly had forgotten that Juliana was in the room. Juliana was torn between wanting to quietly leave and pretend she did not bring this matter to the housekeeper or stay and let the woman decide her fate. She needed Providence to look down on her and give her grace and strength to handle the latter choice.
“I don’t suppose you have told this to anyone yet?” Mrs Black asked her.
“No, Mrs Black. Not even Kitty knows. I believed it imperative to come directly to you with the matter.”
“Good, good,” the woman said, nodding her head. “Do you understand how this would put me in poor standing with our employer?”
“The duke respects you, Mrs Black, and you were lied to. I hardly think the duke would blame you for this.”
“Youthful naivety,” the woman said with a laugh. “How I wish I could be young again. It is my duty to ensure the household accounts are in order, young lady. Both Lady Stratford and His Grace depend on me to keep this manor going. Losing them money will not earn me their gratitude.”
This was the first time Juliana had ever seen the housekeeper look anything but composed. The woman was worried.
“Shall I go over to the vendors and demand our money back, Mrs Black?” Juliana said with determination. “These calculations and bills are proof of their thievery.”
“You would do that for me? Will it not suit you better to go straight to the duke and tell him of my errors? You were bold enough to speak on Kitty’s behalf without my knowledge.”
Aha! I wondered when she would mention this. I will not feel guilty for something I did with good intentions. Kitty has taken to her new position wonderfully, and I would have no one take that away from her.
