Page 29 of A Housekeeper for the Earl of Drinkwater
“I understand your concern,” Mrs. Chantry said, even though Serena had not spoken. “You need not fret. You will do very well, I’m sure.”
Serena blushed at the woman’s intuitiveness. Then, she smiled.
***
By the time she left Mrs. Chantry, Serena was elated once more. Everyone was so lovely, and the job was simple enough. She settled into bed with nothing but happiness in her heart, and excitement for the following day.
But soon, her thoughts returned to the handsome earl, and the strange feelings that had overwhelmed her in his company during her interview. She hoped, as housekeeper, that she would be so busy with her work she would be able to avoid him most of the time. After humiliating herself like that in the interview, she dared not imagine how she might disgrace herself in front of him in the future.
Chapter Twelve
When the idea first struck him, Edward had no idea if he could take on the extra burden, even though it would bring a good profit to the estate. He was sure, with the dreadful condition the mansion and the farms were in, that the dower house must surely have suffered even more neglect. He decided to ask Mrs. Chantry and see what she knew of its condition.
He knocked on the door of her chamber and entered when she called out.
“Ah! Good morning, Mrs. Chantry, how nice to see your cheeks with a bit more colour in them today,” he said cheerfully, approaching her. She smiled at him, sitting up further in her bed. She coughed a little with the effort, but she recovered quickly. Edward allowed himself to believe she just might recover from her illness, after all.
“Good day, your lordship,” she said, motioning him to her. “What brings you here this morning?”
Edward returned her smile.
“I wanted to let you know that I hired a new housekeeper yesterday,” he told her, expecting surprise.
Mrs. Chantry nodded, surprising him instead.
“Yes, I know, my lord,” she said. “Serena came and introduced herself early this morning. She asked me which tasks I believe are the most important, so she can tackle them first.”
Edward blinked in surprise.
“Did she, now?” he asked, unable to hide how impressed he was. “What did you tell her?”
The elder housekeeper shrugged.
“I simply told her to not overwhelm herself, to start with the most frequently used rooms first, seeing they’re kept clean and tidy, and to work on one floor at a time, and so on,” she said. “Unless, that is, you have different instructions for her, my lord. In which case, she must do as you wish.”
Edward laughed.
“I always could depend on you, Mrs. Chantry,” he said.
She smiled, pausing to cough. Edward paused, wondering if he should continue to bother her or let her rest. Instead, he poured her a glass of water from the jug on the nightstand and passed it to her. She sipped it and recovered herself.
“Thank you, my lord,” she said. “It’s certainly good news that we have a new housekeeper. I feel I can rest a bit easier now she’s here. She seems like a sweet lass. I think she’ll do very well for us. Now, am I right in thinking you have something else on your mind, my lord?” She looked at him keenly.
Edward winced, grinning sheepishly.
“You know me too well, Mrs. Chantry. Well, yes, I’ve been wondering if you know anything about the state of the dower house,” he said, deciding to get to the point so he could leave her in peace.
The housekeeper frowned at him with confusion.
“The Dower House? Well, it’s long been empty, my lord. I don’t believe it’s been occupied since the old dowager passed away many years ago. We used to air it once a week, and everything’s under dust sheets, as far as I know,” she said. “May I ask why you wish to know?”
“I was thinking of renting it out to a tenant,” Edward said. “If, that is, it could be made livable.”
Mrs. Chantry looked immediately concerned, and Edward feared his suspicions were correct—the place was a ruin too.
“I’ve only been in that house a few times,” she said. “And not within the last two years, I’m sure. I can’t tell you anything definite as to its current state, my lord, but best not to hold out too much hope for it being decent.”
Edward sighed.
