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“What if they simply allow the new workers to do all their duties while they laze off?”
I smiled. “I will gently ask them to retire. By then, many months will have passed, and it shall not seem as if I have dismissed the whole house and established only my own people. It will merely look as though an old maid is going to spend time with her family.”
“Very good, Your Grace. I will place an advertisement and keep my ears open,” she replied.
“Good. Thank you. That shall be my plan for my house. Then in two days’ time, we shall go to the tenants and see for ourselves, as well, as it is customary for a new lady to come with gifts. I shall learn what their complaints are with us then.”
“Understood. Would you like to see the servants now or after breakfast?”
“The person I wish to see first this morning is actually Emeline. However, I realize I do not know where the girl’s room is. Would you happen to know?”
“Yes,” she said, moving to the door. “Because Mrs. Watson is both her nanny and head housekeeper, I have had to go seek her in the young miss’s room for any questions, as she is rarely with the other servants.”
The tone of her voice told me she also noticed this was improper and was not pleased with the disorder. I followed her out into the hall. I could truly appreciate the grandeur of this house. From the paintings to the sculptures, it was all stunning, yet I noticed there were few of Evander’s family. There was, however, a painting of a woman with the lightest of brown skin and curly hair pinned back, beside her a young Evander, and in her arms a bundle of white silk, the tiniest little arm outstretching to her face.
“Lady Luella?” I said as I was unable to remember her face.
“Yes, it was commissioned by the duke. It is the only painting of her here.”
“Really?” I repeated. “I would have thought there would be many more than that.”
“After Lady Luella passed, the former duke had all the paintings of her removed, and they were then lost, apparently, as no one knows where they are.”
“Lost? How does one lose so much art?”
She shook her head. “I am unsure. From what I gather, the duke—your husband—sought to commission new works but was displeased with all the artists except for this one. Sadly, the artist passed and could get only this one done.”
“How do you know all of this?”
“Mrs. May-Porter,” she replied as though I knew who that was. “The storeroom maid was tasked to give me the lay of the land when I arrived, as Mrs. Watson was tending to the young miss. She loves to talk and does not need a partner to continue the conversation.”
“And what else did you learn?” I asked.
“Too much to simply rattle off, Your Grace, and I am not at all sure of the truth behind it.”
“Such is the nature of talk.” I chuckled. “Falsehood or not, it is good enough that I know what is being said. Eleanor, I am entrusting you to be my eyes and ears. I wish to be apprised of it all, both good and bad.”
She glanced at me curiously. “I must say, Your Grace, I do not know if you have changed or if you are merely being yourself without reservation.”
I thought about it but could not decide. “I am unsure. I must give myself time to become clear.”
“Of course, Your Grace, and here we are,” she said, stopping at the door. I had not even realized where we were in the house or how quickly we had gotten there.
Pay attention, Aphrodite, I reprimanded myself. It would not do for me to get lost.
She knocked on the door before opening it, and when she did, there was Mrs. Watson, fixing Emeline’s hair.
They both stiffened when they saw me.
“Your Grace.” Mrs. Watson curtsied and helped Emeline down quickly, who also tried to curtsy, still finding it difficult. “Good morning. I was not expecting you so early.”
“It is fine. I merely wished to see Emeline and ask if she would join me for breakfast,” I said, glancing down at the girl.
Emeline looked back up to Mrs. Watson, holding her skirt.
Mrs. Watson spoke, “The little miss has eaten already, Your Grace.”
“So early?” I frowned.
