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Everyone looked hesitantly at each other. It was Rollo who coughed uncomfortably and took a step forward.
“She has left, sir. She was with me this morning and became quite distressed. She said she was leaving. I believe she has packed her things and returned to her father’s farm over in Netherbridge.”
Aidan nodded and looked at Jerry. “Right then, I think it is time there were a few changes about this house. Do you remember the conversation we had the other day about my choice for a bride?”
Jerry nodded. “Of course, I do.”
“Well, I have chosen her.”
He looked at Rollo, who was unable to suppress his groan of disappointment.
“It is not Edwards,” Aidan assured them all when he witnessed their despondent looks. “It could never be that gargoyle of a woman.”
Rollo uncharacteristically dropped his butler persona and puffed his cheeks out on a sigh of relief.
“I don’t wish to speak out of turn, sir, but I would just like it known that if it had been Edwards, you should be right to expect my resignation,” Rollo declared.
“Mine too,” Mrs Kempton added emphatically.
“And mine.” Aggy nodded.
“It is not Edwards, I assure you. There is a problem with that woman -” Aidan began only for Jerry to lift a hand up to stop him.
“Are we permitted to know who your choice of bride is?”
“You won’t like it,” Aidan warned him. “It is going to throw fat into the fire, I can assure you.”
“I think we all know that is likely to happen anyway if you haven’t selected someone the dowager’s pushed forward,” Jerry replied dryly.
He knew exactly who Aidan had chosen to be his wife. He just wanted this brother to make it clear to the staff.
It was all a very odd situation they were in; conversing about the master of the house’s love-life in the middle of his bedchamber. But Jerry had quickly learned that Aidan had never actually worked, or lived, the same way as everyone else. If there were a boundary to be pushed; Aidan would push it. If there were some social etiquette somewhere that required him to do something, one could guarantee Aidan would ignore it. It was unsurprising that he had taken the same bohemian attitude towards choosing his rather unconventional bride. Jerry smiled and almost relished being present when the dowager found out.
Aidan looked at each person in turn. He knew from their faces that they still didn’t quite believe it wasn’t Edwards, and shook his head in disbelief that they could consider he would be that foolish.
“I fully intend to make Petal my wife.”
“Petal?” Mrs Kempton gasped. “Really?”
“Really?” Aggy echoed.
“Yes, indeed,” Aidan replied.
He smiled at Rollo when the man began to nod and smile. It was evident there would be no objection from that quarter.
“She isn’t trained for the position as lady of the manor, you know that, sir,” Rollo said cautiously.
“I know, but this house can practically run itself with the staff we have. We don’t need anyone else. Those who aren’t happy with Petal taking on the role as lady of the manor are free to move to work somewhere else.”
“Edwards isn’t going to be happy,” Mrs Kempton stated with relish.
“I don’t care what Edwards likes or doesn’t like. This has nothing to do with that woman. Talking about Edwards, though, I have reason to believe that she has been spiking my meals, as you know. However, I am still struggling to get her to leave this house. After this morning’s little scheme, I think it is about time that woman left here whether she is ill or not. However, I think she should learn a lesson or two about trying to manipulate me before she goes don’t you?”
“What do you plan to do, sir?” Mrs Kempton asked cautiously.
When she pushed up her sleeves as though prepared to do battle with the woman, Aidan lifted a cautionary hand.
“We are going to leave Edwards in her room for now. If she is ill then she can stay there until she recuperates. If she is hiding because her scheme didn’t work as well as she had hoped then boredom and curiosity will eventually drive her out again, ill or not. Her yen for stirring up trouble won’t allow her to remain in there any longer than she absolutely has to be.”
