Page 75 of The Work of Art

“Indeed. Now, you were only a housemaid at my uncle’s, and there will be a lot to learn—”

“I’ll learn, Miss Satterthwaite. I’ll learn.”

Philly smiled slightly at Sara’s exuberance. “I’m certain you will. And the first thing you must learn is that I’m no longer Miss Satterthwaite.”

“Yes, ma’am. I heard you were married from the coachman. I was ever so glad. Mrs. Vale said you’d run away with Captain Heywood and ruined yourself, but I knew—”

“My reputation was never in danger. I was married the very morning I left my uncle’s house, and William provided my escort.”

“William is here?” Sara’s eyes darted toward the door, as if the handsome footman might burst in at any moment. “Mr. Evans said he’d left with you, but Mrs. Vale said as how he—”

“Yes. He’s here. He’s a footman, and doing rather well, I think.” Philly rose from the settee and moved to ring the bell pull. “Heycombe isn’t an exciting village, Sara, and you’ll find this part of the country excessively dull, I fear, even if employed in the lofty position of lady’s maid. You think on it tonight, and if you decide you’d rather return to London, I’ll speak to Captain Heywood and see if there might not be a place that can be found for you there.”

Sara’s sharp little chin jutted out. “I won’t change my mind, ma’am.”

Mrs. Lamb entered the room in response to Philly’s summons, wearing the same disapproving look she’d worn when she left it. Philly quickly apprised her of the situation, and after another onslaught of tears and a profusion of thanks, Sara was dispatched down to the kitchen to get something to eat.

“It’s your decision who to have as your lady’s maid, Mrs. Heywood,” Mrs. Lamb said, walking alongside Philly out of the morning room, “but I feel obliged to tell you that Violet will be very disappointed. The girl has her faults, I won’t deny it, but she’s pinned her hopes on gaining the position.”

“I’ve done nothing to encourage her on that score.”

“Nor have I. She’s been a poor personal maid to you, if you don’t mind my saying so, and far too lazy to improve with training.” Mrs. Lamb gave a weary sigh. “But she has a new young man—a gentleman, she says!—and has been talking of marriage. I expect she hopes a higher wage might enable them to set up house.”

“I see.” Philly stopped, not far from the closed doors of the library. “I wasn’t aware Violet had a beau. Perhaps…yes, I think a small bonus might be in order. She has, after all, done most of the tasks a lady’s maid might these few weeks.”

Mrs. Lamb gave an approving nod. “Very good, Mrs. Heywood.”

At the sound of the library door opening, Arthur looked up from the ledger he’d been studying. Philly entered the room, shutting the door carefully behind her.

“Am I disturbing you?” she asked.

He retrieved his cane and moved to stand. “Need you ask?”

Before he could walk toward her, she rushed to him and embraced him round the neck in a wholly unladylike fashion, receiving from him in exchange a very ungentlemanly full kiss on the mouth.

“Have you come to fetch me for our walk?” he asked in a low voice, kissing her once more.

“No. That is, we can walk now if you like, but it’s not why I’ve come.” She lowered her arms from his neck. “May I talk to you for a moment?”

Arthur smiled at her suddenly formal manner. “I’m at your disposal.” He gestured to the chair near his, remaining on his feet until she sat down.

The dogs had come in with Philly. They milled about awhile before lying down on the carpet.

“I wouldn’t bother you if it weren’t important,” she said.

“What’s given you the idea that it’s a bother?”

“Oh, well, I…” She was sitting near enough to him that one of his booted feet brushed against her delicate kid slipper, momentarily flustering her. “I mean to say that the library is where you go when you prefer to be alone.”

“Is it?”

“And I don’t like to intrude on your solitude.”

“I see.”

“But this is rather important, and you’ve said I’m to tell you if anything occurs that might be upsetting in any way.”

Arthur’s indulgent smile vanished. “What is it, Philly? What’s happened?”