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“That it is, milady.”
The coach came to a stop in a circular gravel courtyard, and Emmeline waited impatiently for the footman to place the step down. Once the door opened, she accepted his hand and exited the coach.
Bright, colorful flowers lined the sides of the brick manor, and she couldn’t help but smile. The main door opened, and a portly man with slicked-down brown hair greeted her with a polite smile on his lips.
“Good evening, milady,” he said, opening the door wide. “We have been expecting you.”
“You have?” she asked as she stepped into the entry hall.
“Mr. Clarke sent a rider to inform us that you would be traveling shortly to tour the property,” he explained. “I do apologize that we weren’t waiting out front for your arrival.”
“You will find that I rarely stand on ceremony.” Her eyes scanned the entry hall and noted the ornate woodwork and ivory-papered walls. A set of narrow stairs ran along one wall to the second level.
“Welcome to Lockhart Manor,” the butler said. “My name is Arthur Grubbs, milady, and I have been the butler here for the past twenty years.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Grubbs.”
The butler eyed her for a moment. “I must say that you bear an uncanny likeness to your mother.”
“You knew my mother?”
He nodded. “She would occasionally travel with the late Lord Taylor to tour the manor,” he revealed.
“I hadn’t realized,” she admitted. “I’m afraid I have only recently learned about Lockhart Manor.”
“Would you care for a tour?” he asked.
“I would, very much.”
Before he could start the tour, an older woman with silver hair approached them with an apologetic look on her face. “I do apologize for not being here when you arrived, milady,” she said in between breaths. “I was speaking to the cook about our supper.”
Grubbs gestured towards the woman. “Allow me to introduce you to the housekeeper, Mrs. Winters.”
Mrs. Winters dropped into a curtsy. “It is a pleasure to meet you, milady.”
Emmeline tipped her head. “Likewise, Mrs. Winters.”
“Were you able to travel with a lady’s maid?”
“I was.”
“Excellent,” Mrs. Winters said. “I will personally ensure that she is properly settled.”
“I would appreciate that.”
Mrs. Winters turned her attention towards Grubbs. “I would be more than happy to take Lady Oliver on a tour of the manor.”
Grubbs offered her a stiff bow. “Thank you, Mrs. Winters.”
As the butler walked down the hall, Mrs. Winters gave her an expectant look. “If you are not opposed, we will start the tour in the drawing room just off the entry hall.”
“That sounds delightful.”
Mrs. Winters gestured towards a door to her right and said, “After you, milady.”
Emmeline stepped into the room that the housekeeper indicated and was impressed by the green-papered walls and large fireplace that dominated one wall. A shiny, black pianoforte sat in the corner and blue velvet settees were arranged in the middle of the room.
“This room is exquisite,” she said.
