Page 34 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
She was a good worker, and he enjoyed her disposition. He didn’t believe it terribly wrong of him to prolong the search in favour of keeping her around for a little while longer.
“I briefly explained her physical description and provided him with the information that you had given me. The vicar was surprised to learn of a commoner with such academic capabilities and believed it narrowed down the search.”
This wasn’t what Nash wanted to hear. “Indeed?”
“Yes, Your Grace. Is that not good news? Perhaps we will find her family before the month is done.”
The valet was seemingly impressed with taking the initiative in finding out about Isabella’s past.
“Do you still not like her?” Nash asked. “I think she has proven herself to be an honest, hardworking woman.”
“I understand, Your Grace, and she certainly has. She remains an unknown woman, and there is no telling what trouble she could bring upon the household.”
Nash shook his head. “She has been here for over a month, Johnson. Do you not think she would have done something by now?”
“She could be biding her time, Your Grace. What if she wishes to steal from you? She would need time to get to know the house well before doing such a thing. Why, just the other day, I heard of a surprising story of a maid and footman who made off with the mistress’ jewellery. No one has been caught yet, but people are looking for them.”
“Do you mean Lady Smethwick?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” the valet replied. “I was not aware that you knew about it.”
“Lord Smethwick told me about the situation some days ago. He has paid the local constable to search for the thieves.”
“All the more reason not to trust people you do not know well!” Johnson declared.
Nash didn’t appreciate his valet’s insistence that Isabella was not a woman to be trusted by anyone. She had done nothing to warrant their suspicions other than to be rescued by him. In that case, he was to blame, not Isabella.
“Do not allow your prejudices to cloud your good judgement, Johnson,” Nash told him.
“These are not prejudices, Your Grace, only observations based on similar situations. Shall I halt the investigation?”
Provided that Nash never told him to look, he thought it better to halt any more investigations until they had ... well, Nash didn’t know when. Isabella could get her memory back soon, and that would put everything to rest.
“Give me some time to think about what we should do next,” Nash replied.
Johnson’s expression changed just a fraction, but it was enough for Nash to see that his valet was disappointed.
“Very well, Your Grace,” the man answered. “Shall I prepare your evening attire?”
“What time is it?”
“It is nearly four o’clock, Your Grace.”
“Dinner will be served soon, so I suppose I might as well get ready. Yes, go ahead and prepare the attire. I’ll be along shortly.”
Johnson left, his back stiffer than usual. Perhaps the valet needed a little more time to warm up to Isabella. Most of the staff liked the woman, and the ones who didn’t were simply suspicious or generally unwelcoming of newcomers until a certain amount of time had passed.
Nash sat for a little while longer in the library before heading to his room and changing out of his day clothing. He hadn’t seen his sister all day as she was out with some friends, but she had likely returned in time for dinner.
She seldom missed a meal because it was a time spent regaling with him all the news she had learned during her day or discussing the future.
I should ask her about the engagement party. She promised to give a date for it and then announce when she wanted to have the wedding.
Ellie had been more responsive about her betrothal to David, but she had asked for an extended courting period. It had surprised the Ruperts, but they had agreed to it with the understanding that a wedding would eventually take place before summer ended.
Entering the dining room some moments later, Nash found it empty. He signalled the footman to approach him, taking his usual seat while he waited for the man.
“Has Lady Stratford not returned?” Nash asked.
