He lifted her down. “It had to have been my mother.”
“Most likely.” Alice shook out her skirts, turned to the servants and smiled.
Giff placed his palm on the small of her back. “Lady Alice Carpenter, my betrothed. Members of her family will be joining us in an hour or two.”
“I am pleased to meet all of you.” She glanced at Cummings. “Cummings, it is a pleasure to meet you. I trust we will work together well. Please carry on.”
“Yes, my lady.” He bowed. “I am honored to both introduce you to your staff and welcome you to your home. We wish you and his lordship happy.”
“Thank you.”
Giff followed behind her as she first met Mrs. Cummings the housekeeper, then the cook, footmen, and maids. Giff was intrigued there were so many servants. Once the housekeeper took Alice to her chamber, he turned to Cummings. “I was given to understand the manor had a reduced staff.”
“Until a few weeks ago, we were short staffed. His grace’s steward visited us and instructed me to hire the rest of the servants we needed. Her grace sent a rider to inform us of your imminent arrival. I hope you and her ladyship will be satisfied with the results.”
“I am certain we will.” Giff inclined his head. “I am already impressed with the manner in which you have kept the front of the house.”
“Thank you, my lord. Shall I have a light nuncheon served in an hour?”
Giff was glad his stomach hadn’t growled at the mention of food. Alice would be hungry as well. Would it take her an hour to freshen up? “Please serve it as soon as her ladyship is ready. I suspect that will be considerably less than an hour.”
“Yes, my lord.” Cummings bowed. “Shall I first take you to your chambers?”
Considering Giff hadn’t been here since he was a child and had stayed in the nursery then, that would be a good idea. “Yes, please. I remember the gardens better than I do the inside of the house.”
* * *
Alice had rarely seen such an interesting house. It had obviously been built during the Elizabethan period, but an early Georgian façade had been stuck on the front. Albeit the mullioned windows had been kept, giving the house a rather whimsical appearance. As the housekeeper led her to the family wing, Alice could see that although the residence had been enlarged, it was not a hodgepodge of halls, corridors, and rooms. From the main staircase, Mrs. Cummings turned down a corridor that ended with a door. She went to the room next to the end room and opened the door. The chamber was large and decorated in blues and greens. Long windows overlooked a garden, and a French door opened onto a small half-circle balcony.
“I hope it meets with your approval, my lady.”
“It is very nice.” She wondered if the master’s and mistress’s apartments were at the end of this wing. She would have to ask Giff. A pleasurable thrill shot through her at the thought of sleeping so near him.
“My lady.” Alice had the feeling Mrs. Cummings had said that more than once.
“Mrs. Cummings?”
“Here is May to help you freshen up.”
Alice nodded at the young woman. “Thank you, May.”
The maid bobbed a curtsey.
“I would also like something to eat.”
“I will have it arranged.” Mrs. Cummings curtseyed and left the room.
Alice gave herself a rueful look in the mirror. Being thrown into a coach did nothing for one’s appearance. “I will wash my face and hands, then you may make my hair more presentable.”
“Yes, my lady.” May stood with her hands folded in front of her waist.
Alice had not expected to formally meet the servants today, but she had been trained well and knew how to behave. What she had not anticipated, nor wanted, was the complete subservience of the staff. Being well-mannered and competent in their duties was required, but somehow she had to let them know they could be—oh, how to put it?—show their personalities as well. Perhaps they would relax a little after they got to know her and Giff. Having some of their own servants here might help as well.
Alice dried her face and sat at the toilet table. “I think a simple knot will do.”
With her hair neatly dressed, she felt much more the thing. She smiled at May hoping to put her at ease. “Where will I find nuncheon?”
“I will call a footman,” she said.
