They discussed the number of staff who’d been hired and Evan gave Mrs. Bridges free rein to go into North Stony and purchase whatever she needed to stock the larder so as to feed the servants who would report the day after tomorrow.
Evan was able to show Mrs. Kent which room had belonged to the previous housekeeper and she asked if she could remain and walk through the house to familiarize herself with everything. Evan agreed and she said she would be back tomorrow to help Mrs. Bridges establish the kitchen and prepare the house for the incoming staff.
Rachel and Evan rode back to Fairfield and went straight to tea. She was famished and had to force herself to slow down and not gobble up every morsel on the tea tray. Evan was called away because Alford’s tailor from London had arrived to take his measurements and show him various cloths. All of the men wound up excusing themselves in order to give their opinion as to the new wardrobe being created for Evan.
After dinner, the houseguests indulged in several rounds of charades. Rachel paired with Cor and Lord Merrifield and they were the winning team.
She went upstairs with Leah to their bedchamber and readied herself for bed. As usual, Rachel got under the covers and waited for Leah to fall asleep so she could sneak downstairs for her last midnight lesson with Evan. She’d enjoyed herself today—breakfasting with him, riding to Edgemere, and then walking the gardens together. She believed she’d gathered the foundation of an experienced staff for him, though he’d still need to hire some gardeners and stable hands, as well as purchase horses.
Suddenly, she awoke with a start and cursed herself for falling asleep, knowing the long day had been partly to blame. She crept from the bed and slipped downstairs as the clock chimed half-past two. Opening the door to the library, she saw the lamp had been extinguished. No one was there.
Rachel had missed her lesson—and didn’t know if Evan would be forgiving enough to hold another one in its place.