Page 26 of The Lady Who Said No to the Duke
‘She said I could stay if you asked me, my lady,’ Jennie said.‘Her ladyship knows I have ambitions to be a lady’s maid.Which gown would you like?I have ordered bathwater to be brought up immediately.’
Thea suppressed a smile.It seemed she had unleashed a formidable presence on the servants’ hall.‘Excellent.There is a dark green gown with lighter green ribbons that should be in the press in the dressing room.What is your last name, Jennie?Now you are the third most important female member of staff, you must have that dignity.’
‘I am?’Jennie stopped halfway to the dressing room door.
‘The housekeeper, Mrs Holt, then Mama’s maid, Maunday, and then you.We have a male chef, so there’s no cook in the hierarchy.’
‘Blimey.I mean, goodness.It’s Eames, my lady.’
‘Very well, Eames.And you need not call memy ladywith every sentence, you know.’
‘Yes, my lady.Thank you, my lady.’Jennie, now Eames, beamed at her and retreated to the dressing room.
* * *
Nothing the slightest bit troubling was discussed at dinner, naturally, even though there were no guests.
Over soup, Papa spoke with some feeling about the latest problems in the government, and both his sons managed to assume expressions of interest and concern.Piers even asked a sensible question.
Thea, being female, was not expected to have an opinion on political matters.
As they consumed the fish course—a Dover sole in a cream sauce with capers—Mama held the floor with the latest Court news.
The King’s health was giving cause for concern, which it always was now, not least to anxious mamas with daughters whose Season would be blighted if they had to go into full mourning for the monarch.As for the Prince Regent, Mama confined her remarks to the intelligence that architect John Nash was starting work on the Marine Pavilion in Brighton.‘One shudders to think what His Royal Highness will demand,’ she said.‘His taste becomes even more extreme with each passing year.’
Over the main course, Piers and then Clarence gave summaries of their day—heavily edited, Thea was certain, and then, with dessert, it was her turn.
‘Godmama is much improved in health,’ she said, mindful that her brothers would not have been told about the real reason for her journey.‘She sends her best wishes.Although I was not there for long, I did have the opportunity to view Lord Brownlow’s new Italian garden and orangery.The building is handsome, although incomplete, but I found the garden somewhat formal.’
That provoked a lecture on the necessity to keep one’s estate up to date with the latest innovations and trends by Papa, which left Clarence glassy-eyed with boredom.
Piers, with surprising tact, enquired whether Papa was considering such an innovation at Wiverbrook Hall and Thea was able to consume her Chantilly cream with almond wafers in peace.
When Mama rose to leave the men of the family to their port Thea followed her out, expecting to face a battery of questions about Lady Holme.Instead, she was interrogated about her new maid.
‘Maunday says she is some untrained country girl.Where on earth did you pick her up?And why?’
‘I certainly did not just pick her up, Mama.Eames has been trained by Lady Holme and she is an excellent semptress, as well as being very good with my hair.’
‘She did that style?I assumed that Maunday had dressed it for you.’
‘This is entirely Eames’s work, I assure you.’
‘Hmm… It appears competent enough, and Clarissa is always well turned out, so she would not stand for lax standards in her staff.You may keep the girl for now, although whether she has the experience to attend on a duchess remains to be seen.’
‘Thank you, Mama.’
And the Duke ‘remains to be seen’ as well, not just my maid…
* * *
His Grace the Duke of Leamington would call the following day at two thirty, Papa informed her the next morningafter breakfast.He had apparently arrived in London rather earlier than expected.
‘Yes, Papa.’
‘I hope you are now aware of the very great opportunity this is for you and appreciate the benefits to your brothers of having such an influence on their future careers and prospects.’
The sons of a well-connected earl would, naturally, all expect to do well in life, but it was unarguable that the influence of a duke would be exceedingly valuable, whether they wanted to make excellent marriages, or the younger ones secure government positions or perhaps enter the diplomatic service.
