Page 62 of The Marquess Method (The Beautiful Barringtons 3)

Mrs. Henderson beamed. “Of course. I’ve no wish to leave Lady Jacinda or Greenbriar.”

“I’ve no wish to have you leave me either, Mrs. Henderson.” Jacinda smiled up at the housekeeper.

“I will not let you down, my lady,” the housekeeper said to Theo, looking as if she were about to lead a military charge. “I know how things are to be done at Greenbriar. If I may be so bold, Lady Haven, I’ve someone in mind for a cook and you’ll be needing a butler, will you not?”

“I will. Someone fierce, Mrs. Henderson.” The butler would need to be made of iron to stand up to Haven.

“I’ve just the gentleman in mind. A cousin of my sister’s husband. Recently left his position with the Duke of Haverly.”

“Wonderful. Bring him tomorrow.” Maids and footmen needed to be hired immediately, along with a team of women to come and clean the house from top to bottom.

“Mr. Henderson knows everyone in the village,” Mrs. Henderson added. “My husband can find you cleaning women and put the word out that Greenbriar is looking for staff.”

“Tradesmen must be found as well.” Theo tapped her finger against her lips. “Carpenters. We need new paint. Rugs. Wallpaper. Furnishings.” She snagged the last biscuit from the tray. “Please sit down, Mrs. Henderson. We have quite a lot to do.” Theo had only just arrived, but she already felt the urgency pulling at her to fix Greenbriar, whether for herself or Haven and his sister, she wasn’t sure.

“A moment, my lady.” Mrs. Henderson fled to the kitchen for more biscuits and another chair, summoning her husband. Mr. Henderson arrived a short time later, his angular features obviously confused by the summons, his long white hair flowing over his shoulders. After introductions were made, the housekeeper sent Mr. Henderson to the village, advising him not to return until he’d hired enough women to clean the house from top to bottom.

Theo hoped he could remember his way there and back. Mr. Henderson seemed a bit forgetful.

“War injury,” Jacinda whispered to her. “A blow to the head.”

Feeling much better, Theo ate another biscuit, ideas flowing to the pencil in her hand. Several hours passed swiftly as she and Jacinda made plans. Theo scratched out instructions. Bits of paper piled around her. Every so often, she would close her eyes and pretend to walk through Cherry Hill. She knew each room by heart. Every painting, table, bit of china, and rug. Her eyes would snap open, mind churning with inspiration.

Mrs. Henderson arrived after a time with the aforementioned stew, the smell of which made Theo’s mouth water. She’d been too upset to do more than have a cup of tea and a nibble of toast before leaving the inn. Had it only been this morning? The remainder of the day and evening had passed swiftly and, Theo thought, productively. Night was falling. Theo had no idea what time it was. In addition to everything else it lacked, Greenbriar didn’t have a clock.

She made another note.

The stew was excellent and accompanied by fresh baked bread. Theo finished every bit. Still, there was no sign of Haven. Or his uncle.

Jacinda, eyelids drooping, finally bid Theo goodnight. “It has been a most exciting day, Theo. Like a whirlwind.” A tired smile crossed her lips. “Very diverting.” There was a touch of Haven’s sarcasm in her words.

Theo adored her all the more for it.

Finally, her own eyes burning with exhaustion, Theo decided Haven would appear when he wished it, whether she waited up for him or not. It wasn’t as if she planned on engaging him in conversation. She stretched, hearing the creak of her neck, and made her way up the stairs, carefully avoiding each of the broken steps Jacinda had pointed out earlier. She arrived at her room to see the ever-efficient Betts waiting for her.

“Have you eaten, Betts? I keep forgetting you’re here, and I don’t mean to. It’s just—well there was quite a bit to occupy me.”

“You’ve been inspired, my lady. You behave much the same way when you’ve found something you must paint. And very much like Her Grace, your mother, when she’s found a project.”

“You think so, Betts?” Romy was most often compared to their mother, not Theo.

“I do indeed.” The maid raised one brow. “It’s a shambles, isn’t it, my lady? Greenbriar, that is. I can’t imagine if something like this were to happen to Cherry Hill.”

“I hadn’t thought it would be so bad.” Theo took her maid’s arm and led her to the bed so they could both sit down. “Haven didn’t exactly prepare me. Not well, at least. I can’t believe he allowed Greenbriar to fall to shambles. And before you try to find a discreet, maidly way to ask me, yes. I had a wedding night. It was fine.”

Betts raised her brow. “I wasn’t going to ask.”

Theo narrowed her eyes. “You were. And don’t ask anything else. Tell me what you think of Greenbriar. I value your observations.”

Her maid puffed up a bit at that. “Mrs. Henderson’s a lovely woman. Clucks over Lady Jacinda like a mother hen. She’s the glue holding this place together, especially with his lordship gone so much. Husband’s a good sort too, though he’s a bit daft, much like the uncle.”

“I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Henderson earlier. He’s gone to the village to find some women to clean this place from top to bottom. And I’ve a man coming to interview for the position of butler tomorrow. And a cook.”

“A good start, my lady.” Betts smoothed her skirts. “I explored a bit when I arrived, as I assumed you’d wish me to. Discreetly, of course. The larder is nearly bare, though the kitchen itself is in decent shape. Mrs. Henderson isn’t creative in her cooking, but the food is satisfying.”

“She said as much.”

“The kitchen garden has been run over by rabbits with only a few greens worth salvaging. While you were with Lady Jacinda, I put the two Averell footmen along with the driver in the head groom’s quarters, which were empty since there isn’t a head groom or any grooms at all. But those rooms are in much better condition than the servants’ quarters upstairs.” Her eyes rolled to the ceiling. “The lads are fine. Well fed.”

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