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Oh.
He did know that, then.
“Besides, thisisheavy. I wouldn’t feel right leaving it to you to cart around. I’ll take it up to your room for you.”
“But I—”
“Stop arguing,” he said sharply. “We’re not on the clock this weekend, so don’t make me pull rank.”
I pressed my lips together. “Yes, sir.”
“And don’t call me—”
“Master Ruxleigh!” The warm but stern voice cut through whatever he was saying, and I turned to see an older woman clad in an apron in the doorway. “Remember your manners when speaking to a young lady.”
Theodore froze. “Auntie Pat, I wasn’t—”
“I heard you.” She stomped out of the cottage, twisting a tea towel into the perfect shape for whipping someone with. “If you want to pull rank, let’s pull rank, child!”
“Auntie Pat, you’re looking younger than ever. That lipstick suits you perfectly,” he said quickly, backing up.
“Don’t you sweettalk me, you little pest.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “You’ve lost weight. Are you eating properly? Don’t tell me you still haven’t learnt to cook. Are you wasting your money on ready meals and take aways?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, he is,” I said.
The older woman turned to me. “You must be the poor assistant who’s been dragged halfway across the country to tend to this punk.”
“I might lose my job if I agree with such a colourful evaluation of my boss, ma’am.”
Theodore eyed me. “That’s rich coming from the woman who’s only here to get her resignation accepted.”
“Does that mean you’d fire me if I agree that you’re a punk?”
“I don’t want to accept the resignation in the first place. What makes you think I’d fire you?”
“Then yes, I’m the poor assistant who’s been dragged halfway across the country to tend to this punk, ma’am,” I said, holding my hand out to her. “I’m Chloe St. James. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Ma’am? Nonsense.” She giggled, clasping my hand in hers instead of shaking it. “I’m Patricia Baker, but you can call me Auntie Pat. I’m one of the housekeepers up at the big house, and I’ll be popping in two or three times a week to help you out. I was also this brat’s nanny when he was a little lad.”
Ah.
That explained everything.
“Now, I won’t keep you long, as I’m sure you’re both tired from your drive up here.” She tucked her tea towel into the apron pocket so that it was hanging down. “I’ve stocked the kitchen with the basics to get you through tonight, and there’s a beef stew in the slow cooker that’ll be ready about five, so you don’t have to worry about cooking.”
“That’s very kind of you,” I said. “I was wondering what we’d do tonight.”
“Well, I worked out for myself that you’re probably on kitchen duty,” she said wisely. “The last time I saw this one cook, he almost gave me food poisoning.”
Theodore coughed. “Auntie Pat, we’ve had a long drive. Can we save the humiliating stories for another day?”
“Aw, I was looking forward to spreading some office gossip in the group chat,” I lamented.
“There’s a group chat?”
“Yes, it’s between me and my babies.”
