Page 60 of A Caribbean Heiress in Paris
“Yes, I’m sorry.” She smiled ruefully and walked over to look at herself in the standing mirror.
“This is a very peculiar corset, my lady,” Mrs. Crawford muttered, nonplussed by the strip of brown skin visible at her midsection.
Luz made a sound that of agreement as she pulled on the chemise the housekeeper handed her. It did look odd, but Luz rather liked it. A warm, fluttery feeling passed through her at the idea of Evan peeling away her clothes and finding her in the garment he’d gotten for her. Perhaps this was his way of letting her know he wanted her in his bed.
“How did you come to work here, Mrs. Crawford?” Luz asked, in an effort to distract herself from her own thoughts. Although, in truth, she was rather curious about the woman. She clearly adored Evan and seemed to take in stride the fact that the laird had arrived with no prior warning with a fiancée from the Caribbean. Though that was likely due—at least in part—toMr. Crawfordbeing a tall, handsome Trinidadian.
“His lordship’s mother, the duchess, hired us,” she said as she tied Luz’s petticoats. “Mr. Crawford and I had been working at an inn near Fife and saw the advert for a couple to be housekeeper and butler. We didn’t have much experience in looking after a grand house like this one, but the duchess gave us a chance. We’ve been here for almost twenty years now.”
“And you stayed on after she passed away,” Luz said, and the woman’s face immediately turned somber. She seemed to weigh her words but ultimately only nodded. And they were soon distracted by the efforts of getting Luz into her gown, with all the buttons, hooks and lacings.
“There,” Mrs. Crawford said, a little winded from all the pulling and pushing. “Master Evan has done very well indeed,” the woman declared as she admired Luz. Her face flushed at the words, but she had to admit that despite the circumstances, she at least appeared a bride in a sky-blue tulle gown with green crystals sewn to appear as ivy along the waist line, sleeve caps and hem. The frothy skirt swayed when she moved. “Now the jewels,” Mrs. Crawford announced and grabbed the pair of tear-shaped emerald earrings from the table.
“That first year was trying,” the woman finally said in response to Luz’s question. “The duke didn’t want any of the staff her grace had hired to stay. We all thought we’d be sacked, but Master Evan wouldn’t hear of it.” Luz frowned as Mrs. Crawford continued. “He told his father he’d take over all the expenses for the estate and pay all our wages, and he’s kept that promise.” There was true affection and pride in her words. “His Lordship’s not made it easy for Master Evan. It’s a testament to his love for this place that he hasn’t given up on it. But he promised his mother he’d care for it, and he hasn’t let his father push him out.”
Luz had noticed the moment they’d arrived at Braeburn Hall the way the house staff behaved toward their laird. Evan was fiercely loved here. She knew the difference between true respect and deference awarded out of fear. These people adored Evan, and his fondness for them was just as evident. He knew the name of every person they’d encountered on their walk, asked after their children, seemed to know their ages and talents. It had been touching to see it, and now she understood that regard was well earned.
Despite what she’d surmised about his intentions, this wasn’t just about getting back at his father. Evan genuinely loved this land.
“What was the late duchess like?”
Mrs. Crawford’s countenance showed a mixture of affection and regret as she fussed with Luz’s hair.
“She was a good mistress.” There wasn’t a trace of falsehood in the woman’s words, but Luz sensed there was a caveat there. “She was fragile in her temperament, and she had a weakness for her husband.” Mrs. Crawford seemed to struggle with how much more to say, but Luz could tell she was determined to apprise Luz of some truths regarding her new husband’s family. “Master Iain, their firstborn, was a good soul, but he was like the duchess, and he was no match for the duke. It was left to Master Evan to stand up to his father, and it’s made them bitter enemies. He carries a heavy load, Master Evan does.” The older woman let the words hang in the air for a moment, but when she looked at Luz again, she was smiling. “And still, he minds after every one of us here. When our son Robbie said he wanted to be an engineer, Master Evan got him an apprenticeship with Mr. Murdoch in Edinburgh. He just started a junior engineer position this January!” Mrs. Crawford’s homely face flushed with pride.
“He must care about your family a great deal,” Luz said through the constriction in her throat. But Mrs. Crawford shook her head, as though Luz had completely missed the point. “That’s how he is with everyone here, my lady. He’s helped most every family here in some way. That’s why I was glad to see him with you today. Miss Charlotte—” her mouth twisted as if she’d bitten into a lemon at the mention of the woman “—or I should saythe duchess, he didn’t look at her the way he looks at you.”
“Oh?” That brought Luz up short, a distressing fluttering robbing her of her speech. She did not dare ask Mrs. Crawford what she meant. That was information she did not need, but Luz was no match for the woman’s loquaciousness.
“I’ve prayed for him to find a lady who sees just how good he is. That cares for him the way he deserves.” Her eyes were brimming with tears now, and Luz was torn between running screaming from the room or joining her. “And I saw at the ceremony today that you do.” The housekeeper gave a self-conscious, watery laugh, shaking her head. “Mr. Crawford warned me not to come up here and talk your head off.” Luz smiled at that, but the older woman had more to say. “But we both wanted to make sure you were all right. When we wed, it was just the two of us. My family did not—”
This time she did hold her tongue, though she smiled up at Luz. “It’s not important. Hugh and I have been happy for thirty years, and I wish you and Master Evan the same.”
It was a stab to the heart, so painful Luz thought she’d double over with the impact the words had on her.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice strained.
“My apologies, my lady. I forgot myself.” Mrs. Crawford wiped her eyes.
“It’s all right. I enjoyed hearing about Lord Evan’s family.” What she wanted was to ask more questions about Charlotte. What she looked like. What it was that Mrs. Crawford had seen in Evan’s eyes during the ceremony. But that way lay madness.
She had to focus on getting through what would surely be an excruciating dinner full of awkward looks and stunted silences. Then she’d come back to her bedchamber and sulk.
“There is no dinner gong, but you can come down when you’re ready,” the woman told her, reaching for the doorknob. “If there’s nothing else?”
Luz shook her head, and then her eye caught the leather-bound volume she’d laid on a spindly table holding up a vase of ranunculus.
“Would you do me a favor?”
“Of course, my lady.”
Luz picked up the small volume and handed it to an expectant Mrs. Crawford before she could change her mind. “Could you please leave this in Lord Darnick’s bedchamber?”
The woman raised an eyebrow, but in a surprising moment of restraint didn’t question the request. “Of course, my lady,” the older woman said obligingly. “I will let Master Evan know you’re ready for dinner.” She turned just as she pulled the door open. “I don’t mean to be too forward, but that door right by your mirror...”
Luz turned her head in the direction the housekeeper indicated. “Yes?”
“It connects your chamber with Master Evan’s.”
