Page 72 of The Duke of Ruin
She flicked a glance toward Diana but kept her attention focused on her task. “Yes, Your Grace.”
“I remember you from yesterday. You said you liked to draw.” Diana had tried to learn something specific about each member of the staff, both to help her remember them more easily and because she genuinely wanted to know them as people and not just faceless servants.
“I do, ma’am.” Her cheeks flushed a charming pink.
“I can see you’re very good at your job,” Diana said, thinking it must be difficult work. She’d no idea how to gut a fish. She’d caught a few, put them in a basket, and they’d magically shown up on the table for dinner later.
“I try, ma’am. Working here is an excellent opportunity for my family. Hopefully, my younger sister will be hired on this summer.”
“I’m sure that’s a distinct possibility if there’s an opening in the scullery. Perhaps you’ll be promoted to kitchen maid,” Diana said.
Rose finished washing the last knife and put it on the drying rack, then wiped her hands on her apron. When she turned to Diana, her lips lifted into a cautious smile. “I would like that. Maybe some day, I’ll even work myself up to housekeeper like Mrs. Marley.”
“Did she start here as a scullery maid?” Diana asked, intrigued with the rapid rise of Mrs. Marley, who’d apparently gone from scullery maid to housekeeper in barely over a decade.
“When she was fifteen. The same age I am now.”
“And how long have you been here, Rose?”
“Just over two years.”
She’d started just before the prior duchess had died. “Did you meet the former duchess?”
Rose’s color faded, and her gaze dropped again. “Yes, ma’am.” Her voice was small and wispy in the dim scullery.
A sound from outside the door brought Rose’s chin up. Her dark eyes were wide. “Cook is coming.”
Diana understood. Mrs. Dodd wouldn’t appreciate Rose dawdling, especially to gossip. Although, Dianawasthe duchess. She would surely allow that. Even so, Diana didn’t want to cause any trouble for the girl. Offering a warm smile, she said, “I’ll let you get back to work.”
Diana turned and passed the cook as she left the scullery. “Your staff is excellent, Mrs. Dodd. You should be very proud.” She wanted to make sure the cook knew Diana was impressed.
The cook’s chest puffed up a bit. “Thank you, ma’am.”
As Diana made her way back out through the kitchen, her thoughts teemed with all she’d learned, especially about the Incident and the fact that her mind was open to the notion that he’d accidentally killed his wife. It fairly broke her heart. But did it change how she felt?
And how is that exactly,a voice in her head asked. Did she love him?
She couldn’t know. She had no experience with the emotion. Fear, however, was one she was quite well acquainted with. And when she thought of what Mrs. Dodd had told her of what Mrs. Marley had seen and of what she knew of Simon, she felt a wave of apprehension.
He’s not like your father,that voice said.
Belatedly, she recalled that she wanted to explore the kitchen garden. Perhaps the fresh air, however cold it may be, would clear her mind of troublesome thoughts.
It was a temporary reprieve, for she knew the past was bound to catch up with them.
“So the staffis functioning well?” Simon asked Nevis, who sat on the other side of his desk in his study.
The steward nodded. “I’d wondered if Lowell would be able to fulfill the duties of butler, but he’s exceeded my expectations. He’s quite intelligent. It’s a shame he wasn’t able to attend university. I think he would have acquitted himself well.”
Simon was pleased to hear this. He’d left the promotion and hiring of staff entirely to Nevis, especially after Miriam’s death. “Most excellent.”
As their meeting was drawing to a close, the older man sat forward in his chair. “How long will you be staying at Lyndhurst? I thought we might tour the estate. It’s been a while since you did so.”
It was a gentle admonishment, delivered without heat and accompanied by the hint of a supportive smile. The entire staff had treated him with kid gloves since Miriam’s death, and Nevis was no exception. It was, in this case, a tad bittersweet because he’d known Nevis for so long. There was a fatherly aspect to him that Simon couldn’t ignore.
“I was thinking so too.” Which was true, but just because he’d been thinking he should stay for longer than a few days and actually pay attention to his estate didn’t mean he planned to. However, guilt—a too familiar and painful emotion—ate at him.
“We’ll be here at least a week.” Simon regretted the words as soon as he said them, but then quietly scolded himself. He could stay here for a bloody week. Especially with Diana at his side.
