Page 71 of The Marquess Method (The Beautiful Barringtons 3)

23

Two cups of tea later, Theo brushed a crumb from her lips and decided to visit Jacinda in the library. She had the sudden urge to ensure her gentle sister-in-law was well and surrounded by her beloved books.

And not on the ladder.

While many of the more rare and expensive books had been sold long ago, there was still an extensive collection in the library, sitting in heaps around the half-empty shelves as if Haven’s father or Erasmus had gone through, book by book, and taken only what would fetch a price. Jacinda had taken it upon herself to catalogue the poor tomes left, an impossible task with no one to help her but Mr. Henderson. But now, Coates, one of the Averell footmen, had been enlisted to help her cause. Despite her limitations with the cane, Jacinda spent hours roaming about the large, two-story library, Coates following behind her.

Theo had grown very fond of Jacinda in the short time she’d been at Greenbriar. She was intelligent and well-read, unsurprising given her love of books. But she was also possessed of a dry wit, much like her brother. Just yesterday, when Theo had realized she’d left her spectacles upstairs, Jacinda had offered Theo her cane telling her to ‘swing it about’ to avoid running into anything.

Trying to keep the laughter out of her voice, Theo had reminded Jacinda she wasnotblind.

Jacinda deserved a proper education, perhaps a governess who could also be a lady’s companion. She needed to learn to dance decently, even with a limp. Yes, Jacinda was lame, but that didn’t mean she had to resign herself to a life spent sitting at balls instead of enjoying herself. A seamstress had already been summoned from Warwick to attend to Jacinda’s immediate clothing needs, but once Romy returned from Italy, Theo meant to ask her sister to design a completely new wardrobe for Haven’s sister.

Theo entered the library, relieved to see Coates on the ladder and not Jacinda.

“How are things going, Coates?” she asked.

The footman, a big lad whose brother worked the door at Elysium, turned and smiled. “Good afternoon, my lady. Lady Jacinda is just making her way through the books on animals and their husbands.”

“Animal husbandry, Coates,” Theo corrected him. Coates had grown up in London and likely thought roasts and plump chickens magically appeared at the butcher shop.

Jacinda came around the corner, cane thumping against the wooden floors. Theo had already ordered rugs for the library, but they wouldn’t arrive until next week. At least the floors were now scrubbed. “Hello, Theo. I was just about to come fetch you.”

“Busy in the library, I see. You know there are spiders and other despicable creatures about, don’t you? I wish you would wait until I can have it all properly scrubbed.” The army of cleaning women, armed with their rags and soap, hadn’t yet made it to the bookshelves, which first needed to be clear of books, something Jacinda refused to allow until she’d cataloged nearly everything.

Greenbriar’s new butler, Rolfe, appeared, a stack of dusty tomes in his arms. There was dirt on his coat and gloves. He bowed as much as was possible with his burden. “Lady Haven.”

“Rolfe would terrify any spider who had the audacity to bite me, wouldn’t you, Rolfe?” Jacinda smiled at the dour butler.

“Undoubtedly.” The deep baritone filled the room.

Very Pith-like. It was no wonder Theo had hired him on the spot. “I see you’ve been recruited to library duty as well, Rolfe.”

“Not to worry, Lady Haven. I’ve already checked on dinner. Mrs. Dottie has been instructed to remove the mushrooms planned with the meal and further instructed that no mushrooms of any kind should be included in anything she prepares.”

Theo was taken aback by the comment. “Oh.”

“I was instructed to do so by Lord Haven,” Rolfe added.

“Ambrose says you don’t like them.” Jacinda took her arm. “Mushrooms. I quite agree. I’ve never liked them myself.”

“Indeed, I do not,” Theo confirmed, unsurprised that Haven had remembered. He was very good at that. Making Theo feel seen. Even when he drew incorrect assumptions. Just now, she missed him fiercely. All the more reason to speak to him as soon as possible.

“And we’re having gingerbread for dessert tonight aren’t we, Rolfe?” Jacinda made a noise of delight.

“Yes, Lady Jacinda.”

“Iadoregingerbread. Do you like it, Theo?”

Theo clasped her arms, warmth spreading across her chest. “I love gingerbread. Who does not?”

“And there is a surprise for you, Theo.” Jacinda gently batted Theo’s ankle with her cane.

“A surprise?” Theo looked at Rolfe. The stone lions manning the front door of Greenbriar possessed more expression than her butler. “More delicacies from the kitchen?”

“No. Rolfe isn’t involved.” Jacinda dragged her over to the spiral stairs at the edge of the library. “You must go up.”

Theo gave the steps a doubtful look. The entire staircase appeared to have been newly repaired. Had she sent the carpenters in this direction? Honestly, the entire house was buzzing with tradesmen, there wasn’t any telling. But at least the stairs no longer looked as if they’d fall to pieces if she climbed them.

---