Page 37 of The Truth About Lord Stoneville
It wasn’t the first statement Betty had made in a clear attempt to learn more about the sudden betrothal. Heavens alive, the servants were curious about everything. It was distracting, especially since she didn’t know which servants were Oliver’s versus Mrs. Plumtree’s.
“Yes. I’m very pleased,” Maria said noncommittally.
“He’s a handsome gentleman, our master.”
Maria cast her a sharp glance, wondering if Oliver was one of those men who preyed on his servants. But the girl’s expression showed nothing but idle interest.
“Have you worked for his lordship long?” Maria asked.
“Aye, miss, at the other house. After he sold it we were afraid we’d be a long time without work, but he got places in town for every one of us. So when he decided to open up this house and he let it be known that we could have our positions back if we wanted them, pretty near all of us came.”
How odd that a man with no morals should take such care of his servants. “He’s a good master, then.”
Betty nodded. “Very good. Always treated us well. Don’t you be listening to the nasty gossip about the Sharpe family. They’re nice people, they are. If not for that old scandal, folks in society wouldn’t be nearly so vicious about Lord Jarret’s gambling and Lady Celia’s shooting matches.”
“Old scandal?” Maria asked, her curiosity thoroughly piqued.
Hot color flooded Betty’s cheeks. “Beggin’ your pardon, miss. I thought you knew. I spoke out of turn, I did.”
“It’s fine. But what—”
“There now, your hair looks very pretty,” Betty said, practically jumping to put the last pin in place. “If you don’t need nothing else, miss, I should go help the other ladies. There’s only two of us for the four of you, now that Mrs. Plumtree’s servants are gone.”
“That’s fine. I don’t want to keep you.”
“Thank you, miss.” Betty bobbed a pretty curtsy and fled, leaving Maria staring after her.
An old scandal. Might that have anything to do with this strange scheme of their grandmother’s? Did she dare ask Oliver about it? He’d probably just refuse to answer, as always.
With a sigh, she left the room to head down the hall, praying she could find her way to wherever breakfast was. She’d tried to pay attention to Lady Celia when the woman had led her through the warren of rooms, but the place was so oddly laid out that she wasn’t sure where she would end up. Fortunately, she stumbled across a footman, who directed her to the breakfast room.
Upon entering, she was surprised to discover Oliver already having breakfast with his grandmother, his sisters, and Freddy. Lady Celia had given her the impression that Oliver was not an early riser. Of course, it wasn’t that early anymore. It had taken Maria so long to tidy her room that it must be nearly nine.
“Ah, Miss Butterfield, there you are,” Mrs. Plumtree said as Maria rounded the table. “Oliver was just telling me about the tragedy that befell your trunks. A pity that the dressmaker couldn’t loan you a better gown.”
She lifted her chin. “Indeed it is.”
“I was explaining to Gran,” Oliver put in, “that you ordered some new clothes made.You said those would be ready today, didn’t you, sweetheart?”
She let out a breath. “Yes, today.” The whole familyseemed to have conspired on the subject of her clothes. She might as well go along, especially since Freddy was no help at all. He was too busy shoveling down shirred eggs to even hint at what tales they’d invented.
Oliver went on buttering his toast. “I thought we’d go into town to pick them up and perhaps shop for whatever else you need. If that’s all right with you.”
Mrs. Plumtree’s eyebrows arched high at that, but she said nothing.
“Of course,” Maria said cheerily.
Freddy’s head snapped up. “I don’t have to go, do I? I hate shopping.”
“You have to chaperone,” Maria chided him.
Inexplicably, Oliver tensed.
Freddy didn’t seem to notice. “Oh. Right. Should I bring my sword?”
“I returned it to him last night,” Oliver explained in a tight voice.
“I see,” she said. Oliver seemed awfully upset about it. She glanced at Freddy. “Leave the sword here. I’m sure Oliver can protect us.”
