“You may keep it, of course, if that’s what you wish, although I don’t think it will be necessary. I hope you’ll find your new accommodations more to your liking.”
“I would prefer to keep it, as this was the last place Mama was happy before she passed.”
Lord Fletcher bowed his head. “Forgive me for being insensitive. Of course you may keep the house. You could also rent it to bring in a bit more income if you’d like. I could have Mr. Haggerty handle the details of the rental contract for you.”
Audrey nodded. “Thank you. I hadn’t thought of that. It’s definitely something to consider. Do you have any houses you plan to view?”
That brought a huge smile to his face, and her heart melted a little more. How could anyone resist that smile? “As a matter of fact, Mr. Haggerty has given me a list of three houses to tour.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a slip of paper. “Here are the homes. What do you think?”
Audrey read the list. “These homes are on fine streets. Any of those addresses would be suitable.”
“Excellent. What do you say we make a day of it tomorrow and tour them all?”
Before anyone could agree, Mrs. Culbert brought in the tea tray and placed it on the low table in front of the sofa. “Good day, my lord. I’ve baked a special treat for today’s tea. I hope you enjoy it.”
“How very kind of you,” Lord Fletcher said. “I’m sure it’s quite tasty.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Culbert,” Audrey said.
“Will there be anything else, Miss Parker?” the cook asked.
“No. That will be all.”
The cook exited the room and closed the door behind her.
“Do you not have a kitchen maid to assist Mrs. Culbert with tasks such as this?” he asked while Grace poured out the tea and handed him a cup with a few lemon biscuits on the plate.
“We’ve had no money to hire any more staff. Unfortunately, once our late father gambled away our money, many of the staff left for paying positions. We couldn’t blame them. Only Mrs. Culbert and Beckwith are with us now,” Mia said.
Audrey winced at Mia’s honesty. Her sister had a tendency to blurt out things that should be kept within the family. Lord Fletcher didn’t seem bothered by it, though.
“I understand. Once we settle on a property, I think it would be most helpful to hire more staff,” he said as he took a bite of the biscuit. “Oh my, these are delicious.”
“They’re my favorite,” Mia said.
Audrey needed to get the conversation back on track. “What of the cost, my lord? Hiring more staff will be a substantial monthly expense.” She found it hard not to evaluate every expense in light of their reduced circumstances.
He turned his attention to her. “Miss Parker, I assure you there will be plenty of money to hire staff and anything else you’d like to do. However, there is one more thing I wish to discuss with you if I may.”
Audrey didn’t like to be singled out like that. These decisions would affect all of them equally. Was there bad news coming after all? “Oh? Pray tell, what is it?”
“I’ve recently met Lord Devon, who graciously agreed to accompany me to Parliament, where I was officially accepted as the new Lord Fletcher. I told him you were considering a Season, and he informed me that Lady Devon had successfully settled their older daughter in a good match with a viscount and was currently chaperoning his youngest daughter this year. Lady Devon has invited you and me to dinner on Friday next to discuss the finer details of participating in the Season.”
“A Season?” Grace asked, looking at Audrey. “You never mentioned wanting a Season before.”
Audrey inhaled sharply. She’d had no idea Lord Fletcher was pursuing this on her behalf, especially as she hadn’t made a decision yet. After what the scandal sheet had printed, she thought that opportunity was lost to her. She didn’t personally know Lord and Lady Devon, but she’d never heard of any scandal attached to their name. Lord Fletcher going out of his way to help her with this decision was something she hadn’t expected.
“Would that please you, Miss Parker?” he asked.
Her mouth fell open. She was so dumbfounded by his generosity that all she could do was nod.
Chapter16
Jacob had hoped his newswould bring a smile to Miss Parker’s face, but she seemed even more anxious than when he first arrived. Had he overstepped again? He thought she’d be happy, especially about the dinner invitation from Lord and Lady Devon. He wanted her to have all the information possible so she could make an informed decision about whether she wanted a Season, but by the look on her face, it seemed he’d once again made the wrong decision.
For the rest of the visit, they all talked about what would be most suitable in a new house. Miss Grace and Miss Mia were very excited about the prospect, but Miss Parker seemed less so. She did answer a few of his questions, so at least she wasn’t completely silent on the subject, and that gave him hope that he’d made at least one correct decision.
When they’d exhausted that subject, he stood. “Well, I must thank you ladies for a very enjoyable teatime. Please give my compliments to Mrs. Culbert. ShallI come around tomorrow at eleven to pick you up for our house tours?”
