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His mother looked surprised. He didn’t usually cut her off. No one did, really, Kenver realized. Perhaps that was part of the problem. She gave an angry shrug. “If you wish Sarah to present an odd appearance in company…”
For an instant, Kenver worried. If Gwen really didn’t know how to do things properly… He pulled back from this diversion. Sarah could tell her. Sarah knew how to dress. “She won’t,” he answered. “Sarah always looks charming.”
“Thanks to Cranston!”
It took every ounce of Kenver’s control to remain silent. He had made his point. There was nothing more to say without losing ground.
His mother’s face went sour. “I suppose…if you insist.”
“I’ll speak to Gwen right away and let her know. I believe Cranston needs to receive the news from you. If she has any questions about the change, I will send her to you.”
The lids dropped over his mother’s eyes. When she opened them again, she was all cordiality. “Of course,” she said. “I want Sarah to be comfortable. We will make any adjustments that she may require.”
Her tone did suggest that she was turning the house upside down for their convenience. But she smiled at him, brightly, warmly. Kenver left the parlor, making his way downstairs to fetch Gwen and take her to Sarah.
They found his wife in the breakfast room, and Kenver made the introductions.
Gwen, a young maid from a local family with dark hair and eyes, responded to her presentation with a ready smile. “Shall I start on your bedchamber then, ma’am?”
Sarah smiled back and gave Kenver a grateful look. “That would be fine, Gwen.”
“Your first responsibility now is to your new mistress,” Kenver said to the girl. “Should you have any questions about that, you may ask her, or me.”
Gwen’s knowing look suggested that his suspicions of Cranston were well founded. “Yes, sir. I’m very grateful for the opportunity, sir.” The maid dropped a curtsy and went out.
“I think you will like Gwen,” Kenver said when she was gone.
“She seemed very pleasant. Cranston really will not be back?”
“She will not.”
The blazing smile she gave him heated Kenver right down to his toes. In that moment, he felt like a conquering hero who passed through great trials to win his fair maiden. He moved closer. Sarah held out a hand. And a servant came in with a fresh pot of tea.
Kenver knew he shouldn’t be irritated with people who were seeing to their comfort. But sometimes it was difficult.
He filled a plate, joined Sarah at the table, and began to eat.
“There is a cave in the cliff behind Tresigan,” Sarah said. “I discovered it yesterday when I visited with Cecelia.”
Kenver paused with a fork full of egg. “A cave?”
“Yes, hidden behind the ivy. Perhaps it was what Merlin meant by the hollow hills? Though I suppose it can’t really be an entrance into the realms of faery.” She smiled to show this was a joke.
She looked happy. He’d managed that much. Kenver said, “We should go and explore it.”
“Do you think we could?”
He met her sparkling blue eyes, and they shared a moment of longing for a touch of magic in their lives. “I don’t see why not. I doubt the Terefords would have any objection.”
“I didn’t tell Cecelia about it,” Sarah replied. “It’s our secret.”
This made Kenver think of another secret cave and a night spent in each other’s arms. “I don’t think she’d mind if we took a look.” He didn’t actually care what the duchess might think. “We can reach Tresigan much faster on horseback than by the roads.”
“Shall we go over tomorrow?”
“Why not today?”
“Right now?”
