“The correct form of address is ‘Your Grace,’” Miss Boyd interfered. “It is not ‘Ma’am,”she said in an overly exaggerated Northern accent, attempting to make a mockery of Lucy’s thick Brummies.
“Miss Boyd, I would appreciate it if you did not mock my maids. It is a poor example to set for Lady Iris.” Lydia flashed the women a dagger sharp smile.
“A thousand pardons, Your Grace, I did not realize you were there,” Miss Boyd simpered. “Have you seen Lady Iris by chance?”
“No,” Lydia cut in as Dotty was about to respond. “Is it not your job to keep an eye on her? Perhaps you should tend to your own work before criticizing others.”
“Correct you are, Your Grace.” Miss Boyd looked at Lydia with contempt. “I shall endeavor to do better.”
“Then you are dismissed,” Lydia said sharply. The woman glanced back at the women before she trudged through the house looking for her ward.
“How much longer will she be staying here, Your Grace?” Lucy asked. “She is like the worst kind of villain.”
“Yeah!” A small head popped out from behind a couch in the sitting room across the way. “I hate Miss Boyd,” Iris stated, an unnerved look in her eyes.
“I know you do, dear. But she is what we’re stuck with for now,” Lydia said quietly, hopefully out of earshot of Miss Boyd. “Obtaining a quality housekeeper should keep Miss Boyd from poking her nose in your business,” she said to her maids.
“I’ve tried so hard to get rid of her,” she whined. “I’ve dumped all of her clothes in the pond. Caked her slippers in mud. Put insects in her food. I even found poop and tucked it into her pillow.”
“Iris, you didn’t!” Lydia was shocked. Clearly, her niece was desperate to get rid of her governess.
“Ew!” Dotty screamed. “Whose poop was it?”
“Mrs. Tidily Winkles,” Iris smiled.
“Lady Juliet’s mare,” Lydia explained, rubbing her forehead. “Iris, please do not touch poop with your bare hands. It’ll make you sick. More to the point, I know you do not like Miss Boyd, but I really can’t condone you slipping that low. If a prank involves…. bodily fluids—of any kind—it is no longer a prank; it is just cruel. And I know you are not cruel.”
“Yeah,” she said with a look of disgust. “That’s the last time I do that.”
“Lydia,” Landon called from outside, “what’s taking you so long, sister? I have good news I wish to share!”
Lydia sighed, “Can you two finish laying out the rest of the rugs and carpets while I tend to my brother?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Lucy stated astutely.
“Your Grace,” Iris whispered, trying to be helpful.
“Oh, yes,” Lucy deflated a little. “Sorry, Your Grace.”
“When it’s just us, Lucy, it’s fine to make mistakes. You will learn in time, but never make those mistakes in front of other nobility. I can’t protect you if you do.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Lucy and Dotty bowed.
“Lydia!”
“Good Heavens,” Lydia huffed before calling out to her brother, “I’m coming!”
“Pardon me, girls, while I answer His Lordship’s beck and call,” she said sarcastically.
She marched outside, hearing Iris’ giggle follow her as she made her way to the garden. Landon had started to pace while waiting for her.
“What is it, brother mine, that has you so impatient that I can’t finish my task?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Ta-da!” Without warning, he swung open his coat jacket and dropped a very hefty-looking purse on Lydia’s foot. She avoided it at the last moment, but it left a divot in the ground.
“Oops,” her brother said in way of an apology.
“It’s fine,” Lydia said in defeat. “Lucky for you, I haven’t started on the garden yet, so I won’t have to thump you, but do try and limit your hurricane tendencies.
