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Even as they walked, Matilda tried to recall all the conversations she'd had in her hometown regarding the Duke yet when it came down to it, she realised there had been little information to go off. It seemed the man was unlike most noblemen who liked to have their names shouted from the rooftops for all their good deeds or ended up on the wrong side of the gossip mill for doing something dastardly.
"Miss Percival, I wish for you to know that you are very welcome here and all the resources here at Thistledown Manor are at your disposal. Please treat this as if it is as much your own home as it is ours," the Duke explained even as she was guided into the most beautiful entryway that she had ever seen in her life. The vaulted ceiling was painted blue and white like a cloudy summer's sky and the walls were painted the same hue.
A large, circular skylight was positioned right at the centre of the room, filling it with light and casting a bright circle just before the double staircase that led up to the floor above. Chandeliers hung on either side of the skylight, casting dazzling rainbows all over the walls and the sight of it took Matilda's breath away.
"Beautiful, is it not?" Quintin whispered, smiling. "You will not work in a more beautiful place."
If this is just the entryway,Matilda thought in astonishment,I wonder what the rest of the house is like.
"On this floor you will find the parlour, drawing room, library, breakfast room, a large dining room, ballroom and several more chambers for sitting and such," the Duke explained, gesturing around either side of the staircase. "Below are the kitchens and all other staff quarters, save for the staff sleeping quarters. Those are near the top of the house."
"Your Grace, I would be happy to give a tour," Quintin put in and Matilda was surprised at how easily the steward had spoken up. In several of her previous households, she had seen barely a servant willing to speak up unless spoken to.
"Thank you, Quintin," the Duke responded with a smile, and it was clear from the mutual respect the two of them showed each other that they had a great admiration for each other.A lot can be said about how a man treats his servants,Matilda thought, pleased with what she was seeing. She also noticed that Lady Amy remained silent, her head bowed, though Matilda could not tell whether it was shyness or boredom which caused her to do so.
The Duke turned to Matilda then and said, "Again, Miss Percival, I must thank you for finally agreeing to grace us with your presence."
He bowed respectfully and had he been any other nobleman, she might have believed him to be mocking her, as if she believed herself entirely too mighty and should not be willing to turn down work, but his words sounded entirely genuine and so she curtsied in return.
"I am pleased to be here," Matilda responded and even as she said the words, she realised they were true. Even though she was still nervous about leaving her family so far behind and certain that she would miss them terribly, the longer she stood in Thistledown Manor with the Duke, feeling his polite and kind energy, the more she came to realise that she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
"We shall not keep you," His Grace said with a gentle smile. "I can imagine how tiring your journey has been. Quintin, perhaps the tour can wait until Miss Percival has rested?"
"Of course, Your Grace." Quintin nodded and bowed respectfully. "Please, follow me, Miss Percival and I shall show you to your chambers."
"Thank you," Matilda said before she turned to the Duke and added, "Thank you, Your Grace, for welcoming me into your home."
"Please, it is your home also," the Duke assured her with a smile and a nod. Even as he spoke, she felt an odd wave of warmth down her spine. Never had she felt quite so at ease with an employer before.
She curtsied quickly and waited for him to nod again before she began to follow Quintin up the stairs.
Matilda was most surprised, not by the fact that Quintin guided her straight up the main staircase rather than the servants’ stairwell but also because they remained on the second floor rather than travelling up to the top floor of the house where she guessed the servants’ sleeping quarters were from what the Duke had said.
At first, she had been distracted once more by the beauty of the manor with its fine art and its tapestries. The place was oddly light and airy, unlike many of the manors she had worked in previously. And it was only when the steward stopped outside a large, ornately carved door, that Matilda realised they had failed to go up a second flight of stairs.
"This is your room, Miss," he announced, stepping forward to open the door and gesture her inside.
Struggling not to raise an eyebrow, she asked, "You are sure?"
Quintin smirked at her and looked as if he were trying to hold back laughter. "You did not think you would be in the attic with the rest of us, did you?"
Matilda felt a little embarrassed, certain that the heat in her cheeks meant she was blushing profusely.
"The Duke wishes for you to be close to Lady Amy at all times, and Lady Amy's bedroom is right next door," the steward explained, gesturing to the next door down and Matilda's stomach clenched. Though it was not the first time she had been given a room close to the children's, the quarters had never been nearly so lavish.
Even without stepping into the room, Matilda could tell that it was far more comfortable than she was used to. So far, everything was feeling a little too good to be true and she was certain that only time would tell.
"Thank you, Quintin," Matilda smiled at him and started to step forward. She paused when she heard the door down the hall clicking open. Just in the doorway, she was able to turn to see who was exiting Lady Amy's bedroom.
"Ah, Miss Stuart, perfect timing as always," Quintin announced, gesturing the woman toward them. She was brown haired and brown eyed with freckled skin and a kind smile. Matilda had always been quite good with reading people and upon seeing Miss Stuart, she instantly got the sense that she was a good woman.
"Mr Mulgrave," Miss Stuart greeted him with a curtsy, lifting the skirt of her black dress as she did so. She then stood and smiled expectantly at Matilda as if waiting to be introduced.
"Miss Matilda Percival, this is Miss Helen Stuart, personal maid to our little lady," Quintin explained gesturing to one woman and then the other, "Miss Helen, this is Matilda Percival, the new…."
"I am well aware, thank you, Mr Mulgrave," Miss Stuart responded and before Matilda could get a word in, the freckled woman hurried forward and gripped hold of her hand in greeting. "We have heard much about you, Miss Percival. We greatly appreciate your presence here."
Shaking her hand, Matilda could not help but smile in return. There was a great sense of both apprehension and relief coming off the maid.
