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Chapter 12
Isabel took her time drying her hair and then changing into a clean and fresh day gown. After Anthea helped her arrange her hair, she looked at herself in the looking glass one more time before walking out of her chamber.
She glided softly to the base of the steps, and… froze.
Not only was Vane there, but the entire servant staff was surrounding him. Isabel’s entire body flushed hot, and her hands grew clammy. Were they waiting on her this entire time?
“Ah, here you are.” Vane reached out his hand and helped Isabel descend the few last steps.
“What is going on?” she asked.
Instead of answering, Vane placed her hand on his sleeve and addressed the servants. “I did not have time earlier to properly introduce my wife to you.”
Isabel squirmed. It was too late. What was he doing?
“And today, I learned that some of you think it an act of disrespect, which gives you a reason to show contempt toward the new mistress.”
Mrs. Ainsworth looked at the servants with furrowed brows. It gave Isabel reassurance. The head of the household did not seem to tolerate such behavior.
“Well, I am here to tell you this. Whoever speaks ill of your new mistress will need to find another household.”
There was a light gasp, and Isabel tensed. She was not certain this was making things any better. In fact, she feared this would make it even worse.Oh, why did I have to open my mouth and complain?
“Furthermore, we are having a house party in a few weeks.”
Isabel’s head whipped toward her husband, but he didn’t react.
“And you would do best to heed your mistress’s every command toward that goal. Now that I have my wife to share the burden of looking after the estate, I shall gladly step back and let her take the reins inside the manor.”
The vote of confidence gave Isabel wings. Did he truly trust her with this? She prayed he wasn’t doing it out of pity. But even if he was, she would prove to be capable, so everybody could put any doubts to rest. She was a perfect mistress and an exemplary hostess, and she would earn respect on this estate no matter what she had to do to reach that goal.
* * *
The next day, Isabel sat with the housekeeper discussing the household’s needs and the scope of work needed for them to host a successful house party. She decided the party would be held in two months, which would let Isabel finish decorating the manor and give her enough time to prepare the gardens and the lawn for outdoor activities.
Isabel listened to Mrs. Ainsworth patiently as the housekeeper told her about the household habits, the foods they usually made, and all the other nuances that would be helpful for Isabel to know.
“Thank you, Mrs. Ainsworth. You’ve been extremely helpful. I only wish I’d had this conversation with you before I crafted the dinner menu,” she said with a grimace.
“Everyone makes mistakes, my lady. However, that does not define who we are. It’s what we do later that counts. And by your actions, I can see that you will be a spectacular mistress.”
Isabel swallowed the bulge in her throat. The words Mrs. Ainsworth had just said were very similar to what her mother used to say to her. It was as if she’d finally received her answer to the question she’d asked in the woods.
Persistence paid off, and Isabel was nothing if not persistent.
After the conversation with Mrs. Ainsworth, Isabel went into the village to visit her new friend. And since the matters with the household were moving in a positive direction, she felt confident she could do the same with the tenants.
As she descended the carriage steps, Isabel saw Jimmie running up to her. He sketched a bow on the run and skidded to a halt before her.
“Mama asked me to show you to our home,” he said exuberantly. “Come!”
Isabel followed the child into a small hut. He led her into the kitchen, where Lilian stood, mixing dough.
“My lady!” she cried and bobbed a curtsy.
“Lilian,” Isabel answered with a smile. “Please, call me Isabel.”
Lilian wrinkled her nose. “I shall try my best. Please, sit down. I put a kettle on the stove as I saw you, but I need to finish the dough before I can sit and chat for a bit.”
