Page 101 of His Duchess in Disguise
The young man colored up to his hairline and seemed to be speechless.
“Oh, come now. Did you think that those violet-scented notes that came in every mail bundle would not be noticed? The blacksmith’s daughter, isn’t she?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“We’ll have to see to it that you have prospects enough for her father to give permission for you to court her. As I recall, she is his one chick, and he is more than a little protective of her.”
“Quite so, Your Grace.” Hamilton cleared his throat and picked up the notes he was working on. “When do you think I might expect the lists and … what is the boy’s name?”
“Robert. He has no last name because his mother never named his father. She had been a housemaid before conceiving. The late Duke, my father, had a fondness for her and set her up in a little shop in the village.”
“A by-blow, Your Grace?”
“I think not. No, I believe the father was likely to have been a footman who was turned off for stealing the silver. My father’s health was fragile in his final years, so it was no real surprise that the illness that swept the village would take him off.”
“I see,” said Hamilton.
The gentlemen were saved from further embarrassing conversation by a tap at the door. “Come in,” Leo called out.
Robbie entered the door, his face looking like a young thundercloud. Even so, he swept a proper bow. “Yer Service, Your Grace,” he said.
“Thank you, Robbie. You can come in and close the door. I would like for you to meet Mr. Hamilton, my secretary. He will be taking care of a great many of the details of the estate until I can hire a man of business. Since he has been away for two years, I would like for you to be his advisor. I am fairly certain that you know the farmers and local tradesmen. No doubt you will have a good idea how to obtain bargains. If you do well, perhaps we will all have a bit of sport toward the end of your first s’ennight.”
At that last, Robbie perked up. “To be sure, Your Grace, I can dicker with the best of ‘em, and I do know where to get good deals on merchandise. Dependin’ on how particular you might be about ‘em.”
“Nothing illegal, now mind,” Leo cautioned, “And not to be shorting the tradesmen of their just pay. But I’d as soon not be nicked in the purse for every household purchase.”
“Then I knows just tha places to go. I’ll be glad to help, Mr. Hamilton.”
“I might add that Mr. Hamilton likes to go fishing occasionally, and no doubt Mrs. Chambers would welcome a bit of fish to go with dinner now and then. How are they running this year?”
“Well enough, Your Grace.” Robbie looked somewhat abashed as he realized that he had just admitted to fishing on the sly.
“Excellent. We shall put your talents to use and keep you out of trouble. Now, I have some questions for you. What do you make of the new scullery?”
“Well, she talks like gentry, Your Grace. An’ she can read. Mrs. Chambers put her to work today copyin’ out accounts and receipts for tonight’s dinner. She don’ know nothin’ about livin’ outdoors, though. But she tries hard, an’ she washed more dishes yistady than the maid and scullion what got turned off did in a week.”
“I see. And how is it you know about the dishes, Robbie?”
“Well, whadda ya think, Yer Grace? When they din’ get done, Mrs. Noddicott would tap me fer doin’ up tha rest. I was right glad to be in uniform an’ servin’ at table last night, that I was.”
Hamilton stifled a laugh.
Leo put on a stern face, although he longed to laugh as well. “Mind your manners, Robbie. Do not speak up so pertly when there are guests, and aid Mr. Hamilton well.”
“Aw, I didn’ mean nothin’ by it, Yer Grace. I just got mortal tired o’ doin’ their jobs and mine, too. An’ I’ll do my best by Mr. Hamilton, jus’ see if I don’t.”
“Very good. Now, off with you both. Get the lists from the housekeeper and bring in some supplies that we might dine well tonight, and for many nights to come.”
Robbie swept an excellent bow.Ah, the young scapegrace did have manners when he wanted to use them.Hamilton closed his writing desk, stood up, and also gave Leo a quick bow. “We shall do our best, Your Grace. Now, then, Robbie, lead on.”
As the two went out the door, Leo opened his desk, took out paper and pen, and turned his mind to other matters that would need to be set right before meeting with the Earl of Cleweme in two weeks’ time. Regardless of the outcome, Menhiransten could not be left without a master if Percy got in a lucky swing or resorted to one of his many dirty tricks.
Chapter 16
“Promoted to kitchen maid? Truly?” Emma thought fast.How would plain little Kathy Smith, who had been smacked around by her father, respond to such a thing? With gratitude, no doubt.“I am incredibly grateful, Mrs. Chambers. Thank you.”
“Don’t you even want to know what you will be doing?” Mrs. Chambers asked.
