“Oh, boo. You say boring. I say were there any near-misses?”
“Natalie!” Dad scoffed.
“Well, nothing serious. Just a wing or tail strike. Somethingminor.”
“No, nothing,” I said. “We did a brilliant job landing everyone, keeping the pattern tight, and making sure when we reopened it, everything was clean and safe. The ground team are the heroes as you well know. Those kids were doing a bang-up job in the absolutely awful cold.”
“Well, I am glad to hear you all worked so well together. Must have brought a smile to your face?”
I wish I could have said it did.
“I was glad to keep everyone safe.”
“And how did it go with Miss Mills?”
“Oh,” I coughed. “Um... good. She's a quiet house guest. Other than guilting me about things I don't want to do, she's fine.”
“Good. She seems like a nice girl,” Mum said. “And you've been on good behavior?”
“Mother, I know how to host guests. She is settled. Still feels quite odd about having your room, but she knows when not to argue. Her manners are impeccable. She reads situations well.”
“Well, that's her job, isn't it?” Dad asked.
“No, he means she fits in impeccablyfor an American,” Mum corrected. “Like Lucy, yes?”
I shrugged. “I cannot imagine a day with the Duchess was not as British as the rest of us—minus that accent—so you tell me. I don't know much about the woman apart from what I have observed. John said she went to Seymour.”
“Oh, really?” Mum looked surprised. “Parents must be well-to-do.”
“No clue.” I didn't say what I thought.
I thought they must be as well given that every bit of lingerie I'd observed the woman possessed looked expensive. I assumed girls like Eloise didn't make enough money to buy expensive hand-made French lingerie on their salaries. Daddy—or mummy—had money. Her manners added to my suspicion.
“Would she ever consider a job for us?” Mum wondered.
“What? As a permanent babysitter?” I groaned. “Mum, please!”
“It might give John a break. We could come up with a title for her. She's good with you and you don't whinge about her as much as every other social secretary I've ever given you, Duncan.”
“Not a terrible idea, Nat,” Dad said.
I grumbled. “Mum, the girl does not need my nonsense for an indeterminate period.”
“I shall ask her.”
Nothing I said meantanythingto mum. I'd lost the script. Poor little Eloise Mills! And poor me! She'd think I put her up to this!
“It only make sense. With the holidays over, Duncan, we turn our sights to February, and with it, we need to discuss your North American tour.”
“What?” I looked up from my salad, aghast.
“Yes. We are going to send the crewwithyou. They needed a focal point. That was the best choice. I think with help to stay focused, it will work well. I'm glad to poach Miss Mills to helpand pay her handsomely. She can shift to the press office if she likes after you return at the end of March.”
Mum said it as if it were already decided. I couldn’t argue. Sadly, nor would Eloise. She was now stuck with me in this. What if Eloise thought I was trapping her? I didn't want toemployher directly. It was the worst outcome. I neededEloiseto maintain the upper hand. This wouldn’t work.
30
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