AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Four
“Where is Mrs.Hardy?”Matthew demanded.“Did someone forget to tell her we breakfast at seven?”He had a family now.And a family needed structure, discipline and care.
And he would not lose sight of that even though visions of Mrs.Hardy naked assailed him.The business of his household could not be disrupted.
Would it take a year to train a noblewoman to rise from her bed before noon?
Would he be the cause, the reason for some occasions when they did not rise before noon?His brow quirked in contemplation, then he forced a frown.This was serious.
“Oh, yes, Mr.Hardy.I mentioned it to her last night—I think she heard me—but anyway, she was up at five-thirty, her daughters at six.They had a quiet meal, read a chapter from the Book of Psalms, then left for their morning constitutional,” Raleigh said.His head butler was the man who had answers when Matthew barked questions.
Psalms?Good Lord, they would be better to read a publication likeLloyd’s Listor Adam Smith’sWealth of Nations.Was there anything more irritating than someone going above and beyond what Matthew did himself?This was his pride: to be the first one to work and the last one to bed.“Where did they go?And when will they be back?”
“I can’t say for certain, Mr.Hardy.One of the footmen went along.He will direct them along the best roads and paths.Her Grace...uh, Mrs.Hardy seemed very interested in understanding where the parks were, which roads led to the City, and where the best local shops were.Oh, also, we discussed the permanent bedroom situation and she asked that her things be moved into the room connecting to yours.Mrs.Callis is taking her on a tour of the house and grounds at ten o’clock.And she wanted to know if you would be available at eleven.”
“To what purpose?”he asked.
“She didn’t say, only that she needed to speak with you.”
Matthew held back a smile by scooping some scrambled eggs into his mouth.When Her Grace spoke, he quite enjoyed the results.Was he an ass to challenge her intentions last night?Or to be such a frightful prick when she obviously wanted the awkwardness of the first time with a stranger behind her?
“I did not mention you already had appointments,” Raleigh said.
“We’ll work something out.What is the status of her trunks?All was in place this morning?”
“Three of the maids worked all night but only got through seven of the trunks, cleaning and pressing and whatnot.Even now, her things are being placed in the room she chose.”
“Excellent.At the least, I want to ensure Her Grace is content, if not happy.”
“And about the girls.With all the staff we have, we are deficient in governesses.”
He nodded.“Has anyone volunteered to be Her Grace’s lady’s maid?If not, we’ll need to interview for that position as well.She’ll need two.One maid would mean she’d be without assistance on a day off, and that seems impractical for her.”
“The next time you marry, Mr.Hardy, give us a few weeks’ notice and I’ll make sure we have staff in place.”
“There won’t be a next time, Raleigh.Let’s do what we can with the time we have.”
