“He does not need that constantly hanging over him.”
She pointed to the disgusting carpets. Too long they had gone without a proper wash, and she had no patience to take on the task of washing, rinsing, and drying them over and over until the odor came out—or at least, directing the staff to do so which hardly seemed fair to the new recruits.
The old carpets had turned a certain color and odor with so much use and lack of care. The front entrance, in particular, had a foul smell. It was only when they had disturbed the carpet from its resting place that the dank smell really rose and punched them in the face.
“Begone with ye, foul beast,” Dotty shouted at the wagon that had come to pick up the old carpets and rugs.
“Oh, spare me, miss,” the driver said as he plugged his nose. “You are not the one who has to drive miles with this vulgar-smelling garbage.”
“I was talking to you, you old coot.”
“Ha,” the man gabbled. “I should have expected such a mouth from a hoyden. Parson’s mousetrap will clear that right up.”
“No man will ever tell me my own mind. You have what you came for,” Dotty snapped. “Away with you before the master returns home. Spare his noble nose this disgraceful smell.”
“Ah,” the driver hacked a wad of spit on the ground.
Lydia almost gagged at the man’s appalling behavior, but it was hard to find someone willing to dispose of their refuse, even at a high price.
Lydia pinched her nose as a gust of wind carried the smell. She could hardly blame anyone for declining the job.
Lydia noticed Dotty getting red in the face, preparing to chew out the man for what he’d done. “Let it be, Dotty,” Lydia whispered to her. “The less we talk, the faster he will leave.”
Her new maid begrudgingly accepted her orders and went inside with Lydia as they left poor Mr. Lyall to pay the man.
“What a horrible man,” Dotty griped. “If I never see him again, it’ll be too soon.”
“I don’t disagree, but I’m afraid this is just the beginning. We still have the upstairs to take apart, and many of the other rooms need new furnishing, and that’s only in the general spaces. So, I’m sure we will have to call on him again soon.”
“Do not say that, Your Grace,” Dotty whined.
“Dotty,” Lucy scolded, “stop simpering and help me with the rest of the carpets.”
Lydia stepped out of the way as Mr. Young rolled out the new carpet in the front entrance. “How is this, Your Grace?”
“Excellent,” Lydia said as she eyed the bright red carpet. She had hoped to replace the old one with an exact copy, if possible, however it was hard to tell whether the carpet was originally red. Maybe it had been pink or burgundy. She tried asking her sisters-in-law, but they couldn’t remember.
“Good Heavens, Lydia,” a voice called out. “What in God’s name have you skinned?”
“Land! Get your dirty feet off my new carpet!” Landon leaped out of his skin and away from the pristine carpet. Lydia smacked his shoulder affectionately. “Did you not just see us roll it out? I don’t need you mucking it up.”
He glanced down at his shoes, which were caked in the day’s jaunt mud, dirt, and other unmentionables.
“Where are your houseslippers?” Lydia frowned at him, ushering him into the garden outside of the dowager cottage before he could bring any harm to her new carpets.
“I had such exciting news, sister. I completely forgot about them.” He gave her an abashed smile as he called over his shoulder. “Besides, I was under the impression that this place was little more than a hovel.”
“Not any more, Your Lordship,” Dotty griped as she washed away Landon’s boot prints. “Though it may be if you don’t screw your head on tighter.”
“Dotty!” Lucy quickly smacked her on the head. “You do not comment on a guest’s mannerisms.”
“Lucinda, it is not your place to punish Dorothy.” Lydia frowned.
“Yes, Ma’am. Sorry, Ma’am.”
“Heavens, Lucy, would you loosen up?” Dotty groaned.
Lydia just shook her head. Both girls were new to maids’ work, but they both had good hearts, and Lydia took a shine to them. However, she would need a housekeeper to keep them in line and correct their speech and behavior.
