“I see you are shocked at Daisy’s forthrightness,” Mrs. Jellops said. “We have our reasons.”
Charles nodded and thought he better not pursue that particular line of inquiry. “I realize the current situation is not usual,” he said, “but I hope I have made sufficient arrangements for your comfort.”
Miss Danworth swept past him toward the open front doors and said, “Look to your own comfort, my lord. I imagine the cottage will require your full attention in that regard. We shall send over your dinners.”
As Charles watched the ladies enter the house quite without him, he felt a veritable steam coming from his ears. She wouldsend overhis dinners? He was not even to dine in the house? It was outrageous!
He paused. Miss Danworth might think she was to sashay in and send his dinners over, but there was not even a cook hired yet. He’d better tell her, and then she would descend her mighty throne and realize she required his help. Arrangements must be made with some tavern or other and he would see to it. He straightened his cuffs and marched in after her.
Chapter Three
Daisy had been both pleased and repelled to see Lord Dalton again. She had always allowed herself to like him a bit too much, but now that he was going to live in close quarters, she felt the need to push him off. She had intended to descend the carriage regally and portray an utter calmness of spirit, and hoped she had at least come close to it.
She’d since been introduced to Bellamy, who was Lord Dalton’s butler and was to act as her own for the summer. As well, there was the lord’s valet and three footmen of dubious looks. Where were the other servants? She had only brought her lady’s maid, Betsy.
“Pardon me, Mr. Bellamy,” she said, “I understand there may not be a housekeeper hired yet, but where are the housemaids? The cook? The kitchen maids?”
Bellamy seemed relieved that his master was just now approaching and could answer these uncomfortable questions.
“I have contacted an agency,” Lord Dalton said. “They are to send over some promising candidates on the morrow. You may interview them, or I can do it if you prefer.”
“Of course, I will do it,” Daisy said. “I wish to have a hand in choosing the people surrounding me. Well, I suppose we must just shift as well as we might until then. I presume, my lord, you can arrange something in the kitchen. Eggs, perhaps?”
Daisy did not fail to note the look of outrage on the lord’s face. She did not really think he could cook eggs or anything else, but it amused her to pretend that she did think it and that he would act as cook.
“I wouldn’t know how to light the stove,” he said between gritted teeth. “I’ll arrange for something to be sent in.”
Daisy nodded as if it were of no import toherhow a dinner arrived. “As you wish. I suppose, under these unusual circumstances, you ought to dine here this night as an exception. It will only vex a proprietor if we arrange different orders to go to various locations.”
“How kind,” Dalton said.
Daisy nodded graciously. “Now, as I am to borrow your butler for the summer, I would have an interview. Mrs. Jellops, might you oversee Betsy? The footmen can carry up the luggage and she can begin to unpack. We will stay in our usual rooms, Lord Childress’ room may be closed and locked. Lord Dalton? I presume you have other matters to attend to?”
Daisy watched with satisfaction as her directions were carried out, though Lord Dalton looked rather surly over being dismissed and Bellamy looked rather alarmed at being told to stay.
She had resolved to gain a firm hand over the staff. Daisy had always been rather run over by her father’s servants, aside from her lady’s maid. Darling Betsy had ever been her champion below stairs, while Mrs. Jellops acted the same above stairs. She would hire a housekeeper she felt Betsy could get on with and as for Bellamy…well, it was imperative that he learn to take orders from Daisy and not Lord Dalton.
“You may shut the door,” she said to the butler. She seated herself and took her time arranging her skirts, then said, “It is a rather odd situation, to have another’s butler act as one’s own, but here we are. I presume you know your duties well enough but there are a few particulars I wish to convey.”
Bellamy nodded and appeared in deep thought over what particulars might be shortly coming his way.
“My father has had occasion to consort with some rather low individuals over past summers. If any of those people arrive to the house, they are to be turned away instantly and told they need not ever return to it. You will know you encounter one of these rogues by their dress, their manner, and their lack of a decently composed card to send in. Anybody hinting that they are or have been a soldier must be kept out. Anybody claiming to be an old friend of Lord Childress must be kept out. Bring your footmen together to bar the door if necessary, but do not allow any of them to cross the threshold.”
“Are there so many of them, Miss Danworth?” Bellamy asked, appearing agitated by the idea that they were soon to be under siege, and he was to be the battle commander manning the front line.
“Quite a few,” Daisy said, “though how many will dare to gain entrance now that my father has departed the world, I know not. However, excessive drink, bold ideas, and the lure of a dowry may prompt a few.”
Bellamy wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and Daisy thought he looked rather pale.
“Further,” she said, “you are to carry out my orders as I direct them, with no consultation with Lord Dalton. He was your master and will be again, but he is not at this moment. That is all for now.”
Bellamy nodded, then shuffled his feet and cleared his throat.
“Is there something you wished to add?” Daisy said, certain that there was. She hoped he was not on the verge of attempting to cow her or otherwise override her authority.
“It is only, that is…” Bellamy began, “it is quite right that you are the mistress. There is no confusion as tothat. Only, I shouldn’t like my boys to go all topsy-turvy on me. These footmen have been with me a long time and we have a certain way of going on.”
Daisy could see that something was about to be proposed that she was not likely to favor. Nobody hemmed and hawed as this fellow was now doing when they wished to communicate something agreeable.
