“Thank you, my lord, but that will not be necessary. I have a gown that is suitable.”
“Excellent. I hope you’re looking forward to meeting the Devons. I haven’t met Lady Devon yet, but Lord Devon has been quite helpful to me. I also understand that their daughter, Lady Katherine, will be there. She’s attending her first Season.”
“I look forward to meeting them.”
Grace and Mia soon joined them for breakfast.
“Oh, I do love this house,” Mia said.
Audrey had to chuckle. “Yes. It’s a lovely house, dearest.”
“Shall we go explore the park down the block later?” Grace asked.
“I’m sorry, but I’ll be busy helping Lord Fletcher interview candidates for the housekeeper position. You two may go, of course, but take Beckwith with you when he finishes his interviews.”
She nodded. “I’ll find him after breakfast and ask what time he’d be available to accompany us.”
At ten o’clock, the first candidate arrived and was shown into the drawing room. She was an older woman, perhaps in her late forties, and very severe in her dress. Her mouth was pinched, and she was quite opinionated on how to run a proper household.
After twenty minutes, Lord Fletcher said, “Thank you, Mrs. Smithfield. I’ll be in touch if I need anything further.”
From the way she huffed and left the room, the woman likely knew she wasn’t being considered for the position.
“She has to be the most unpleasant woman I’ve ever met,” Jacob said.
“I’m glad to hear you say that. I didn’t care for her at all.”
“Let’s hope the next candidate is better.”
A few minutes before eleven, the knocker banged down, and Audrey went to open the door. Beckwith had finished his interviews and gone out with her sisters. “Good day. I’m Miss Parker. Please come in.”
The candidate flashed her a brilliant smile. If she thought it odd that Audrey was opening the door, it didn’t show on her face. “Good day, Miss Parker. I’m Mrs. Trotter. I’m so very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Please do come in,” Audrey said, leading her into the drawing room. “Lord Fletcher, may I introduce Mrs. Trotter? Mrs. Trotter, Lord Fletcher.”
Mrs. Trotter curtseyed. “Good day, my lord. What a lovely bright room,” she said.
Jacob stood. “Good day, Mrs. Trotter. Indeed, it is. Won’t you take a seat?”
Audrey immediately liked Mrs. Trotter. Her welcoming smile had never wavered, and she had a look of perpetual wonder in her eyes that reminded Audrey a little of her mother. She hoped Jacob shared her opinion because she believed the woman would be a valuableaddition to the household.
During the interview, Mrs. Trotter revealed that she’d been the housekeeper for another aristocratic family until they fell on hard times and had to release her.Her knowledge of a housekeeper’s duties was extensive. The woman certainly knew what she was talking about, but wasn’t condescending like the previous candidate.
“That’s truly a shame about your former employers. Does that mean you’re available to start immediately?” Jacob asked.
“Perhaps Mrs. Trotter would like to tour the house and see her accommodations first,” Audrey interjected.
Jacob chuckled. “Of course. Forgive me, Mrs. Trotter, for jumping to conclusions. You’re welcome to tour the house for as long as you need to before making your decision.”
“No need to apologize, Lord Fletcher. I’m happy to see the house. I can tell already that it will be quite lovely.”
Audrey stood. “Please follow me, and I’ll show you everything so you can make an informed decision.”
“Thank you, Miss Parker. That’s most considerate of you,” she said, following Audrey out of the parlor.
“You must think it strange that I answered the door earlier. Our butler, Beckwith, is out with my two younger sisters, exploring the neighborhood,” Audrey said.
“It looks like a lovely neighborhood indeed,” Mrs. Trotter said. “How old are your sisters?”
