“You are entirely too wicked.”
“And here I’m thinking I’m not wicked enough. Otherwise, I would snatch you up and carry you away to our wedding bed, propriety be damned.”
“So you desire to give my mother heart palpitations and your mother apoplexy.”
“My mother is not as fragile as you might think.”
“No, but her sense of what’s proper is even stronger than my mother’s. She just doesn’t let it drive her.”
“Astute observation. How is it you know so much about my mother?”
“You’ve been gallivanting in the country. I’ve been having teas with my future mother-in-law.”
“Plotting?”
“Planning. She’s been helping me organize the household budget for Newbury Hall and hire new staff.”
Thomas blinked, staring at her. “I thought the hall was already staffed.”
Rose shook her head, then motioned for a footman to pour more tea. “No. Only the steward and a few retainers and housemaids to make sure the house remained sound with the different tenants. The tenants all had their own personal staff. We needed almost all the upper servants—butler, housekeeper, cook—along with footmen and maids of all levels.” She looked up at him with a smile. “What? You think I have been picking out flowers and china for two weeks?”
Thomas felt a bit blindsided. “Actually—”
“The steward—a delightful Mr. Mallory—advised us, as did your own Mrs. Hodges, but we hired the upper servants. The new butler is a nephew of our Mr. Davis. He has the glorious name of Augustus Reeves. He’s young but with good credentials. He was a footman for several years, then recently has trained under the butler for the Marquess of Aldermaston.”
“Beth’s suitor.”
“Yes. Reeves is a somewhat weak where the wines are concerned, but with Davis and the Ashton House butler, he’ll come along. With providence’s smile, it will be a lifetime appointment. Mrs. Hodges recommended another of her nieces—you know your mother’s maid is her niece—”
“I didn’t, but—”
“It’s not uncommon for servants to bring their own relatives into service with them. Like Reeves, she’s young but has been working as head housemaid with an earl’s household and has good skills. Excellent references.”
“Have I mentioned how remarkable you are?”
“Not today.” Rose sipped her tea. “You are not eating.”
“Considering what I have planned for later, an overstuffed stomach is probably not a good idea.” He folded her hand in his as the blush returned.
A soft hand gripped his shoulder. “You two are courting scandal.”
Thomas grinned at his mother. “We are married.”
“Hmph. Does not mean scandal is impossible.” Emalyn paused and pressed two fingers to her left temple.
“Is your head still aching?” Rose asked softly.
Thomas looked from one woman to another, the expression on Rose’s face fomenting worry in his chest. “How long has this been going on?”
Emalyn waved away his concern. “It’s nothing. Too much to do in too little time. It will pass.”
“You should talk to the doctor,” Rose said.
“You should be thinking about anything other than my head.” Emalyn patted Rose’s shoulder. “Philip is taking me home. I will rest there. In the meantime, you two need to have your butler cut that cake and serve it before Dottie loses the bare remnants of her sanity. Then leave as soon as you can.” She kissed her son on the cheek. “I will see you whenever you emerge tomorrow. Or Monday. You are still leaving Tuesday, yes?”
He nodded, then took his mother’s hand and kissed it. “I love you.”
“Of course you do. You would be a fool not to.” But she touched his cheek, and the expression in her eyes was the love he’d seen there since he was a child. With the exception of those moments when she was furious with him.
