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“A good one, I’m sure,” he replied prompting a laugh from Vicky. While she didn’t much like the viscount, you couldn’t question his good opinion of himself. She didn’t bother answering him.
“Have you just arrived? Has the housekeeper or someone seen to your needs?”
“Oh yes, Crossley and his servants made me right at home, have no fear.”
Vicky wasn’t sure if she ought to do something else, but she now had all the more reason to continue with the task Georgia had set her. And seeing as Crossley was not her home, it wasn’t really her place to question whether or not the man had been invited. She dipped into another curtsy with a murmured farewell.
“I shall see more of you later, to be sure.” Lord Bertram’s not so soothing tones followed her as she hurried toward the housekeeper’s office.
Mrs. Parks’ door wasn’t closed, so Vicky stuck her head into the room.
“Mrs. Parks?”
“Come in, my dear, how may I help you?”
Vicky bit her lip in indecision. “Lady Crossley asked me to relay the message that some of the gentlemen have arrived, so we’ll need more for tea than she had thought.”
“I expected as much, and so I instructed the kitchens, but I’ll be sure to go down and review everything before it is served.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Parks,” Vicky answered with a smile, still undecided about the propriety of what she wanted to ask next.
“Was there anything else, Lady Vigilia?” The older servant’s question was kind, but indicated she was clearly busy.
“I just encountered Lord Bertram in the hallway. I hadn’t expected to see him.” She didn’t bother to ask a question. If the servant was comfortable telling her anything, she would do so.
“Thank heavens we had prepared a couple extra rooms just in case some of the configurations we had planned didn’t work out,” Mrs. Parks supplied.
“So, you hadn’t expected to see him, either,” Vicky concluded.
“No, my dear, I hadn’t. I thought perhaps he was a last minute addition that no one thought to advise me of.”
Vicky nodded and then frowned. “I wonder if now our numbers will be out for supper.”
“Certainly not the end of the world, especially as we’re in the country.”
“Of course, thank you, Mrs. Parks. I mustn’t keep you.”
What a strange development, Vicky thought as she made her way back to the salon where the ladies were gathered. She had been a trifle concerned that Georgia had invited the viscount on her account without telling her, but Vicky was quite doubtful that she would not tell the housekeeper. Was it possible the man had heard about the house party and just decided to show up? That would be rather outlandish, she mused.
Vicky longed to escape to the library, but with the house filling with company, there was no guarantee that she would have it to herself, so she dutifully made her way back to join the ladies.
“Was all well?” Georgia inquired in a low voice.
“Mrs. Parks should be along momentarily, with plenty of provisions for whoever might be here. You have an exceptional staff, George. They seem to work well together and with you.”
“Yes, thank you. I’ve been pleased with how we’ve pulled together. They made it very easy for me to learn to be a nobleman’s wife.”
“Did you know Lord Bertram had arrived?”
Georgia frowned. “Arrived where? Here at Crossley?” At Vicky’s nod, her frown deepened. “How strange. I didn’t invite him. And I rather doubt the earl would have done so. Has it thrown the servants into a bother?”
“It doesn’t seem to have done so. I think they’ve learned from you to be prepared for anything. Must’ve been your years of mothering your brothers and sisters,” Vicky added with a laugh. “Anyhow, from what Mrs. Parks told me, they had prepared extra rooms just in case, so they were able to accommodate him without delay. But it’s strange, is it not?”
“Very,” Georgia agreed.
“And the numbers for the table will be off.”
“I could send round to invite someone else, or we can just set the table more casually,” Georgia answered with a puzzled frown.
