Evie stared, suddenly sober.She needed someone to represent those who performed such jobs, certainly, but a man who was prepared to take on the House of Lords to fix their situation en masse, not help one barrel at a time.
Her aunt murmured, “Have patience, dear.I’ve been doing some thinking…and some inquiring.All will be well.Apparently, he worked at a pub until now, with no idea he was in line for a dukedom.Perhaps he has not quite found his dukely decorum.”
“Oh lordy.Well, that is the purpose of my visit.To find a way to meet him, hopefully more than once, to ascertain that we’ll get on well.”
Louisa did not really know the new duke; rather, their plan was to devise a way for Evie to learn more about him.After all, she should have a say in marrying a different person than was named in the agreement, a stranger.A betrothal contract should not be treated like a reticule one no longer likes—passed to someone who could get more use out of it.
“That is what I was thinking about before you arrived.I’d heard he is looking to hire two or three new maids.”
Evie frowned, unsure where her aunt was going with that statement.
“According to gossip, he had to release a few who were interested in cleaning more than his house, if you take my meaning,” her aunt continued.
Evie gasped, shocked at their audacity, although not at her aunt’s frankness.
“He gave the first one a generous settlement and letter of reference, so then two others attempted it before he set it as a house rule.”
“However did you find this out?”Evie asked.
“Servants talk to other servants.And you know my few are beyond loyal, they are friends.”Louisa grinned.
“So, you think to loan him someone of your household?”
Her aunt pursed her lips.“In a manner of speaking…I was thinking you might like to spend some time there…in disguise.”
“As amaid?”Evie’s mouth dropped open.She wasn’t above honest work, but she’d never thought of such a possibility.Although it wasn’t the worst idea she’d ever heard.
“You know yourself that servants are invisible, especially in a household that size.You’ll be able to see what he does each day, who he interacts with, and how those conversations go.What better way to judge his suitability?”
Indeed.
Chapter Three
Xander kept having the same dream.He’d wake up in an enormous manor, with a host of servants ready to bow or curtsy at a moment’s notice and a pile of correspondence demanding his attention, with no idea what to do with any of them.
Unfortunately, the dream seemed to last all day.Only at night could he strip off the fine clothes his stepfather, Giles Lynwood, Earl of Northumberland, and better known to most as North, had insisted on buying for him, close his eyes, and remember his simpler life working in his brother’s pub.
His mother had been so proud.“I have no doubt that you can manage a dukedom as well as you manage the pub.You deserve this, Xander.I’m excited for you.We’ll let you get settled, then come visit.And you must write often.”
He was less excited and more overwhelmed, but as she’d pointed out, he’d have help.
The duke’s—his—solicitor, Jacob Lancaster, had journeyed with him to Rutland, inland and just south of Northumberland, and met with the duke’s—his—steward, before leaving his direction and assuring Xander that he would respond to any questions or concerns immediately upon receiving them.
Before he’d left Northumberland, Bruce, his stepfather, and his mother had prepared him as best they could.
His mama had told him to befriend the housekeeper.“Have daily or at least weekly check-ins with her, and have a second set of eyes on the books, but unless the house appears derelict, the day-to-day and oversight of the rest of the servants will be handled by her.There will be time later—or hopefully a wife—to manage that.”
North had said, “Trust your steward in small increments.Give him the opportunity to prove himself to you or fail.But have Jacob look over the books.”
“You think he could be stealing?”Xander was appalled.
“I do not think he is, but neither do I assume he is honest.”
“Ugh.What of Jacob?”
“I know Jacob’s firm by reputation.And I doubt he would have bothered to come looking for you if he were anything less than loyal.However, the biggest pitfall of inheriting a title is people’s expectations.They’ll expect you to have money, they’ll expect favors and leadership.Indeed, they’ll curry attention.Even if you didn’t have money, you’d need to worry about who is after your title, particularly the ladies.Jacob says you’re flush, so you’ll need to consider who is ingratiating themselves looking for that, in addition to the title.”
“That sounds bloody awful.I hated London when I was there to work.Now I have a whole extra layer of disgust for it.”
