Page 93 of The Viscount's Seduction
“I’m Johnny, miss. Mr. Gibson’s man. He sent me over to…er…”
The conversation with Shaldon came back to her. “You were at the inn.”
“Yes.” He rolled his cap in his hand, looking confused.
He didn’t know who she was. Shaldon had said he was a good man.
Behind him, more men trickled in and scattered to the stalls, sending her sideways glances.
“I’m Lady Bakeley,” she said. “What are you all on about now?”
“We’ll be moving these fellows to a hired stable. Lord Bakeley’s orders.”
Her heart plummeted. “He wants them removed?”
She’d have no horses to visit and to calm her.
“For a few days, in case the pit down below seeps. Bad for their feet. And any gases are bad for their wind.”
She blinked, trying to follow the man. “The pit?”
“The cesspit, my lady. The common sewer is backing up into it, his lordship says.”
The cesspit. And sewers. Of course, as his lordship had said to her also.
“Then ’tis not the best time to discuss a mount for me. Do you need my help with the moving? Shall I call Lady Perry to come help also?”
His eyes went wide again. “I couldn’t—I mean, we men here have ahold of it, my lady.”
We men.
Well, she’d only been Lady Bakeley for one day. It might, perhaps, take more than that to worm her way into the stables. But be there she would, or Bakeley could arrange his own wedding ball.
She patted the horse’s nose, wished the man a good night, and found her way back to her bedchamber.
Jenny was sprawled on the chaise longue, fast asleep.
The girl stirred and sprang up, mumbling a groggy apology.
“Poor Jenny. If you’ve been waiting for me to climb out of the bathtub, I do apologize. We’ll make a fast job of it tonight, and you can head up to your bed. I didn’t don stays after my bath.”
“You could have called me, my lady.”
“I was in a big hurry. How are you finding this great house?”
“My lady?”
“Are they treating you well? Your being new, and the staff being so well-settled. I’m grateful to you for joining me here.”
“I’m not the only new one. There’s two new footmen, and some of the grooms, and a couple of maids they’ve hired on for the season. They’re expecting a great deal of company.”
“I see. Good. So you’re not the only one trying to fit in. Is all well with the staff?”
The girl’s forehead wrinkled and her lips pressed together.
“I’m not asking for secrets, you see. It’s just, I’m to be the new mistress here…”
“I don’t know as I’d say all is perfect below stairs. There’s a great hubbub there now in the kitchens, with all of the grooms and footmen tramping about.”
