Page 39 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
“Do you have nothing to say about that?” Mrs Black pressed. “You are not the first person to try and exert their influence over the duke and disregard my authority in this house.”
“The thought has never crossed my mind!” Juliana protested, appalled that the woman would believe such a thing about her. “I spoke to the duke because I believed you would object to my request, and I believed that Kitty deserved a promotion.
She is one of the most honest and hardworking servants in this house and never complains about anything. As far as speaking to the duke about the mistakes on the account, I assure you I would never do such a thing. I have no need to diminish your worth in the eyes of our employer.”
Mrs Black tilted her head, pulling a slight frown between her brows. “I often wonder about you, Isabella. You do not carry yourself like a servant, but neither do you have any vanity about you. You speak as one who has been taught to carry herself well in public, and your integrity is commendable. It’s a pity you cannot recall your past life.”
Juliana did not know what to say to that. Part of the woman’s character summary had sounded like a compliment, but the other part indicated the housekeeper’s suspicions.
“How is it that you came to be injured on the side of the road?” Mrs Black questioned.
“All I recall is waking up in this house, Mrs Black. I do not remember anything else.”
“You have a taste of truth about you, dear,” the woman said.
This was the first time the housekeeper had called her “dear.” Could this bode well for Juliana?
“I prefer the truth,” Juliana replied.
“Yes, I think so. Well, I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt if you are able to convince the vendors to give our money back.”
Is this a test of some sort? I’ll likely gain another ally in this house, and a powerful one at that, if I manage to get our money back, but this could also go wrong very quickly.
“I shall certainly try, Mrs Black.”
“See that you do. Mr Wickle and Mr Carter are shrewd men, but if you could discover their dishonesty, perhaps you can get the best of them. I shall send you to the market in two days. You may go and take these with you.”
Juliana collected the papers and left the room, running into Kitty.
“Oh! Here you are,” the maid exclaimed. “I have been looking for you everywhere except here.”
“Here I am. What did you wish to see me about?”
“Lady Stratford has ordered me to rearrange the drawing room, but I cannot recall what she wants where,” Kitty wailed. “I am no good with such things, but you are, and you were present when she gave the orders. Would you please help me? Oh!” the woman said suddenly, slapping her forehead.
“What is it now?”
“I have to help Peggy with turning the mattresses in the guest rooms. The poor dear is too slight to do it alone. How on earth will I do everything on time?” the maid wailed.
“Do calm down, Kitty,” Juliana said, laying her hands on the woman’s shoulders. “A lady is to never show such panic unless ’tis a man acting in a most forward manner.”
Kitty frowned briefly and promptly burst out laughing. “A lady? Since when am I a lady? Oh, the things you say at times!”
Juliana bit the inside of her cheeks to stop herself from laughing. “Oh, hush, Kitty! There is no reason to always laugh at the things I say.”
“No? Do you recall when you asked if you needed a chaperone to go to the market? And what of our supper two nights ago? You tapped my hand when I used the knife to bring a piece of chicken to my mouth and told me it was poor manners to do so. If that is not amusing, then I do not know what is!”
Juliana couldn’t understand why she kept saying such things. It was a source of amusement to Kitty, but would the other servants think the same? Would they not believe her to be pretentious?
“I need you to put a hand over my mouth every time I say anything so foolish,” Juliana begged. “Someone might take offence, and then what shall I do?”
“Do not fret over such small matters, Isabella,” Kitty told her. “Especially when I need your help. Our lady is sure to use the east-wing drawing room this evening and will scold me if it is not done to her specifications.”
“Go, you help Peggy, and I’ll deal with the drawing room.”
“What of your chores?” Kitty asked.
Mrs Black had given a long list of chores for the day, but Juliana had worked out a method to do everything in good timing. She was currently three hours ahead of schedule, but no one needed to know that.
