Page 14 of A Housekeeper for the Earl of Drinkwater
“Milord, you must not think such things,” Clarke said softly from the door. He entered holding a bottle of wine and two glasses. “I am glad I decided to join you for that drink after all.”
Edward stared at the man in amazement.
“How did you know?” he asked.
Clarke poured two glasses of wine, looking at the bottle of whiskey Edward held with pleading eyes, until he set it aside.
“I have seen that same expression twice before,” he said sorrowfully. “I believe I will recognize it for the rest of my life.”
Edward took the glass of wine, drinking it down in one gulp.
“But what will I do?” he moaned. “I know little of the estate or the earldom. Father and Austen were the ones who. . .” His voice broke, and the tears fell again.
The butler patted him on the back, giving him a thin smile.
“You must think of the tenants, milord,” he said. “You must be strong and show your will now. My advice would be to speak with them and see what you can do about helping them immediately.”
Edward gasped. He had not given his father’s land tenants a single thought. But Clarke was right. They would surely be wondering what had happened to their landlord and in desperate need of help. The knowledge, a strain though it was, gave him a new purpose.
The butler nodded, his smile widening as Edward came to his senses.
“That is better,” he said. “And you must do something to help the countess too, milord. She is still with us, after all. But she needs immediate help. Rest tonight, milord. And tomorrow, we can discuss calling in a physician for her, perhaps after you have met with the tenant farmers.”
Edward nodded, giving the butler a small, grateful smile.
“You are right,” he said. “Thank you, Clarke.”
Chapter Seven
Serena awoke the next morning just as dawn was breaking. She knew what she must do, but she allowed herself the time to watch the sunrise before she readied herself for the day. Even as a baron’s daughter, she’d never had to consider the possibility of having to venture out looking for work. But now it was her reality, and she intended to do her best.
Luck favored her, at least in the way of dress. Her mother had packed away a few dresses that appeared to be those of a working woman. She found a plain brown one; it was as good as new and needed no cleaning. She chose a fresh, white shirt with frills to go beneath it, and a pair of flat black shoes. She wound her hair into a tight, neat bun, and she was ready.
Evelyn came into her room just as she had finished dressing . The housekeeper gave her a small, warm smile.
“You certainly look the part, Miss White,” the housekeeper said, nodding with approval at Serena’s neat, working woman’s outfit. “I am only sorry that you must do this.”
Serena hugged the woman, shaking her head as she pulled away.
“You have nothing to apologize for, Evelyn,” she said. “Besides, this might end up being the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
Both women fell silent, their mutual doubt lingering silently, yet almost tangibly, in the air. At last, the housekeeper smiled again, gesturing toward the door.
“The hackney has just arrived,” she said. “Shall I escort you out to it?”
Serena looked at Evelyn, hesitant to make the request she knew she must.
“I know it is not part of your duties,” she said, smiling nervously at Evelyn, “and I cannot pay you anything extra, but do you think you might ride into town with me, as my chaperone?”
To her surprise, Evelyn’s face lit up, and she nodded eagerly.
“The trip itself will be enough payment,” she said. “I would be more than happy to escort you into town.” She glanced down at her plain black outfit and blushed. “Oh, but should I change into something else first?”
Serena shook her head, hugging Evelyn once more. Again, she thought of how motherly Evelyn had always been towards her, especially when her mother fell ill. She was very grateful, after everything that had happened, to have the housekeeper still with her.
“You are perfectly fine as you are, Evelyn,” she said. “And I’m grateful that you are willing to come with me.”
The housekeeper grinned, pointing once more toward the door.
