Page 9 of An Accidental Romance

“Our son, Peter,” Mrs. Snow said. “Very helpful, he is, here in the house and outside with MacKay.”

“Ah, I see,” Ben said. “Peter.” Not Isaac. “Mrs. Snow, I am going to freshen up and then take tea in the music room, as you suggested. It’s a shame there won’t be music to accompany the tea, which I’m sure will be excellent. Thank you both.”

Mrs. Snow curtsied, and Mr. Snow bowed, which Ben acknowledged accordingly, and then he strode up the stairs and down the corridor to his private rooms. If he were a betting man—and he wasn’t—he would wager that the interview he’d intended to have with the Snows had already occurred and that he’d now hired two—no, make it three—employees to maintain his household and property.

He removed his coat and rolled up his sleeves, then poured water from the pitcher on his washstand into the basin and splashed it on his face. It was cool and bracing, and the droplets raced down his forearms and dripped from his chin. He rubbed his face vigorously and splashed water on it again before reaching for the towel folded nearby and drying off. He reckoned he should be grateful that he’d found servants so easily—that they wanted the employment and already knew the house and property. They seemed like decent people.

Very well. When he went down to tea, he'd let the Snows know they could return to their positions within the household.

There was also one other item he needed to clear up with the Snows. He couldn’t help but to have picked up on the fact that Mr. Snow had nearly referred to him as “my lord.” Right now, Ben wanted to shed the responsibility of being an earl. He didn’t necessarily wish tohidethe fact that he was the Earl of Winton; he merely wished to be Ben Fortescue for a while again, remember how it felt to be known for his individual character rather than his title. His titles, especially the Earl of Winton, which he’d inherited from his father, had given him enough grief already.

He rolled down his sleeves, adjusted his neckcloth, and donned his jacket. It was time for tea.

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