Page 12 of The Remarkable Myth of a Nameless Lady
“Of course, Your Grace.” Edwards sank into the chair opposite the desk. He was a tall, thin man with a rather pinched face, and eyes too close together. He sat now, delicately, on the very edge of the chair, with the attitude of one not accustomed to sitting with his betters.
Jacob hid a smile. “I promise you I will not take but a moment of your time. I understand that you deal in the details of the household—the ordering of goods, and the management of the staff. Is that correct?”
This was a question that had been bothering him since their encounter with Miss Price upon the roadway leading to the house yesterday. His brother had mentioned something about hiring the girl. He might not have thought anything of it, had he not seen the steward in the hall in passing, and been told who he was.
Edwards seemed rather unhappy in this interview as he answered, obviously trying to word his reply in the manner he felt would be most pleasing to his new master. It was possible he’d been scandalized by being told to sit when he should have been standing. It was just one more way in that Jacob was failing in his duties and he wished more than ever that his man had arrived, that he might advise him away from further missteps.
“I do manage the supplies, yes. In fact, I was in the midst of a heavy inventory today and had only left the storerooms for a moment to relay a question to the cook regarding foodstuffs. I felt that we had used an uncommon amount of mushrooms of late and thought to advise her to not use such a generous hand in doling them out,” Edwards said, his tone rather self-satisfied.
Jacob’s eyebrow raised somewhat. “I have always been excessively fond of mushrooms myself,” he said. “Perhaps the solution might be to order additional mushrooms henceforth.”
Edwards was clearly not happy with that. His face tightened, as though he had just taken a bite out of one the lemons Jacob had carried aboard his ship to guard against scurvy. “As you say, Your Grace.”
“What can you tell me about the staff?” Jacob said, thinking that perhaps it was best to change the subject, lest he alienate the man completely. “I understand you were shorthanded? I was wondering if that happens often.”
Edwards drew himself up, as though offended. “Your Grace, I am unsure what you mean. The house is always fully staffed. One of our weavers recently left, but I am talking to several applicants today for the position, so it will be filled before nightfall. This opening was rather unexpected, as the girl who had held the position fell ill very suddenly. But otherwise, I endeavor to run things in a fastidious and expedient manner.”
Jacob frowned in confusion. “But I was given to understand that Miss Price was filling a position that had been vacant for quite some time.”
Edwards went a little pale. “Miss Price was none of my concern.”
The answer felt evasive. “Edwards, do you mean to say that my brother does not normally make the hiring decisions for this household?”
“He has always approved of my choices, Your Grace,” Edwards replied a touch haughtily.
“Then help me to understand. You mentioned interviewing for the position of the weaver. Did you likewise interview Miss Price from several applicants?”
The man did not answer.
Jacob ground his teeth in frustration. “Edwards, allow me to make myself clear. I am the Duke. This is my home. Whatever you say here is in confidence, for my ears only. I can assure you, that you will not get in trouble for your actions unless I determine that you are acting against me in some way. That said, I demand that you answer the question.”
“In that case, Your Grace, if I might speak freely…” Edwards swallowed hard, his eyes darting around the room as if to ascertain whether they truly were alone. “I did not interview Miss Price. I was instructed to leave the position open. Likewise, I was informed who would fill it. If you wish me to sack Miss Price, then I will do so gladly.”
Owen, then, had taken matters into his own hands. The question was, why?
“No, do not let Miss Price go. I have seen no reason to think her service less than adequate,” he said, as he dismissed the man. Edwards had given him much to think about. The truth was, she wasn’t adequate. She was inexperienced. She didn’t even look strong, though he had to admit she was a quick study. Once she had ascertained what was expected of her at table, she had served well, and diligently.
But the fact that his brother had quite clearly gone out of his way to hire her, bothered him.
She has caught his eye, then?The girl was certainly beautiful. He himself had been drawn in by those eyes, by the quick wit and startling intellect that Miss Price possessed.
He barely looked up as Edwards left, shutting the door quietly behind him. The ledgers in front of him seemed daunting suddenly. There was too much he didn’t understand about this estate. The fact that his brother had misled him once, made him wonder if other secrets lay within those pages.
He opened the first book and began to read. He had barely begun to decipher the crabbed handwriting when a knock came at the door. Thinking the steward had returned with some other detail, he shouted for whoever it was to come in, without looking up.
There came a thud at his elbow. The smell of hot bacon filled the room.
“Your Grace, your mother sent me to bring you this,” Miss Price said, as she set out the tray next to him. “I wasn’t sure what to bring, so took some of everything. If you need something different, you have only to ask.”
He nodded without looking up, trying to decide whether the entry before him was in reference to wool or wood as though it were the most important thing in the world to him. He could not look at her. Not knowing that she had been accorded this role through special means. She meant something to his brother…not to him.
There was a rustle of cloth. A soft breath of hesitation. “Your Grace, if I might be so bold…”
He sighed in exasperation and dragged his eyes from the page. She stood in front of the desk, hands clasped in front of her, pale face earnest beneath the white cap that hid her auburn tresses from his gaze. He had forgotten how beautiful she was and caught his breath. “Yes?”
“I am sure I do not know…I mean…” She blew out a breath, obviously struggling for the words. “I am new here, and do not understand how things work, but I saw your mother this morning near tears. And then the steward rushed from your study as though the very devils of hell were on his heels. If I might be so bold as to ask if there is something troubling you?”
The earnest way in which she spoke served only to irritate him. There had been rebuke and even censure in those words, and even spoken prettily, one did not just come into a room and insult a Duke.
