Chapter Fourteen
Thanks to an overturned cart blocking one of the roads close to Southampton, it was another whole day of travel before their carriage finally rumbled down the drive of Rainton Court, just as the orange sun dipped over the edge of the horizon.
‘My lord, my lady. Welcome home.’ Rimmer was waiting at the front door to greet them.
‘Thank you, Rimmer.’ Leo nodded to his butler, then stopped in the doorway and turned towards Florence, lifting her hand slowly to his lips.
It was a marked contrast to the first time they’d entered the house together, when he’d stormed ahead by himself, but he wanted this time to be different, and for everyone to know it too.
It wasn’t quite carrying her over the threshold, but it was certainly an improvement.
‘Rimmer.’ There was a breathless quality to his wife’s voice as she turned to the butler, her cheeks tinged with pink. ‘It’s good to see you.’
‘You too, my lady.’ The butler’s gaze, Leo noticed, was approving. ‘How was your journey?’
‘Long. I don’t want to see the inside of another carriage for a good six months.’
‘At least.’ Leo found himself reluctant to let go of her hand again, though it was unfortunately necessary to remove his greatcoat. ‘Any news to report?’
‘Not in the house, my lord, although I understand the arrival of the herd has caused some consternation in the steward’s office.’
‘So I gather. Sewell wrote to me.’ Leo made a wry face. ‘I’m already bracing myself for our next interview. You may need to refill the brandy decanter.’
‘Already done, my lord.’
‘Ahem.’
All three of them jumped at the sound of a pointed cough, as the slim figure of Mrs Fitch suddenly detached itself from the wall, where she’d been doing an excellent job of camouflaging herself in the shadows, and walked towards them, lips pursed with disapproval.
‘I beg your pardon, my lord, but Mr Sewell only has the well-being of the estate at heart.’ Her voice was as monotone as always.
‘Of course he does.’ Leo removed his hat. ‘Good evening, Mrs Fitch. How are you?’
‘Quite well, my lord, thank you for asking. I took the opportunity of your absence to have the maids clean the carpets and curtains in all the receiving rooms. The time has been spent most productively.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’
‘My lady.’ Mrs Fitch inclined her head towards Florence. ‘Would you care for something to eat?’
‘No, thank you, we had some refreshments at our last stop.’ Florence smiled a greeting. ‘Although I’d love a cup of tea if you wouldn’t mind sending one up to my bedroom?’
‘Of course, my lady.’
‘And I’d like for us to sit down and have tea together as well some time soon. I think we have a great deal to talk about.’
‘Indeed, my lady?’
‘Yes.’ Florence paused, throwing a quick glance at Leo before continuing. ‘His Lordship and I have discussed it and, now that we’re back, I’m going to take over the running of the household. With your assistance, of course.’
There was an audible gasp from the butler, though when Leo looked, Rimmer was staring intently at his shoes.
A prolonged moment of silence followed before Mrs Fitch turned her gaze towards him. ‘Is that what Your Lordship wishes?’
‘It is.’ Leo lifted an eyebrow at the implication.
‘I see.’ The housekeeper’s expression was so sour, it might have turned milk. ‘Then you should know, there is a great deal to learn.’
‘I’m certain there is.’ Florence’s tone was conciliatory. ‘And I’d be very grateful for any advice you could give me. I’d like for us to work together.’
There was another long pause. ‘As you wish, my lady.’
‘Wonderful. Then how about we meet tomorrow afternoon? That should give me a chance to gather my thoughts. I have so many ideas.’ Florence beamed at each of them in turn. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to bathe before bed. I’m sure I smell like a horse!’
‘Goodnight.’ Leo smiled after her as she headed for the staircase, waiting until she was out of hearing distance before clearing his throat. ‘Rimmer, perhaps you could send Her Ladyship’s maid up to her?’
‘Of course, my lord.’ The butler scurried away.
‘Mrs Fitch…’ Leo turned slowly back towards the housekeeper ‘…as the new marchioness, Her Ladyship has the right to make any decisions relating to the household, wouldn’t you say?’
‘In principle, my lord.’ Mrs Fitch lifted her chin imperiously. ‘However, your father’s instructions—’
‘My father is no longer here.’ He spoke over her. ‘As for his instructions, they were written before I was married. Therefore, they do not apply to my wife.’
‘But by her own admission, she has no experience of managing a household this size.’
‘She can learn.’
‘What about the mistakes she might make in the meantime? The reputation of Rainton is far too important for it to be imperilled by some…farmer’s daughter.’
‘That farmer’s daughter is my wife.’ Leo’s tone was cutting. ‘Mrs Fitch, I’ll let today pass because I admit my own poor behaviour in the past might have encouraged yours, but from now on you will treat Her Ladyship with the respect she deserves, is that understood?’
A series of expressions seemed to dart across the housekeeper’s face before she made a stiff curtsey. ‘Of course, my lord.’
‘Good.’ He inclined his head. ‘Now, before anything else happens, there’s one other matter I should like to be dealt with as quickly as possible.’ He pointed upwards. ‘That needs to come down.’
Mrs Fitch gasped. ‘You father’s birdcage?’
‘Yes. I don’t want to set eyes on the damn thing ever again.’
‘It’s good to have you back, my lady,’ Jane commented, holding up a linen towel a short while later. ‘You look much better than when you left, if I may say so.’
‘Thank you.’ Florence climbed out of the bath, drying herself off before pulling on a white lace nightgown. ‘I feel much better.’
‘Mr Rimmer says that His Lordship seems to be in a much better mood too.’ Jane gave her a sly smile.
‘I think so. I believe we both found the trip helpful.’ She sat down at her dressing-table, meeting her maid’s eye in the mirror. ‘Don’t look at me like that!’
‘Like what?’ Jane batted her lashes, feigning innocence. ‘I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. I’m just glad it was helpful.’
‘It’s not like that. His Lordship and I have come to an understanding, that’s all. Our marriage may have begun under difficult circumstances, but we’ve resolved to make the best of it. We’re getting to know each other.’
‘Mmm.’ Jane sounded sceptical. ‘Well, if you want to carry on helping His Lordship, I think that nightgown ought to do it. You look very helpful.’
‘Stop it!’ Florence couldn’t help but laugh, although, looking at her reflection in the mirror, she could see what her maid meant.
The nightgown had been a gift from Cassie and was so thin as to be almost transparent, not to mention cut quite shockingly low.
Whatever else she’d achieved in London, it seemed that her marriage had her new sister-in-law’s approval.
‘Anyway, I hope you got the answers you were looking for in London.’ Jane winked, reaching for a hairbrush.
‘Some of them.’ Florence twisted around on the stool, remembering one answer she still hadn’t found. ‘Can I ask you a question? It might sound a little odd, but when I first came here, were you aware of me receiving any correspondence?’
‘I don’t think so.’ Jane tapped the brush against her hand. ‘But I could check with Mr Rimmer, if you like?’
‘No!’ She shook her head quickly. ‘That’s all right. I just wondered.’
She swivelled back round to her mirror, hardly knowing whether to feel relieved or frustrated.
Surely Jane would have remembered her receiving so many love letters?
The fact that she didn’t made them even more mysterious.
Now it wasn’t just a question of who’d sent them.
It was also a question of how they’d been delivered.
‘Now that you mention it, though, a letter did arrive while you were away,’ Jane said, starting to draw the brush through her hair. ‘All the way from Cumberland, the man said.’
‘It must be from my parents.’ Florence sat up eagerly.
‘I’ll go and fetch it once I’ve finished your hair.’ Jane smiled. ‘And I can’t tell you how glad we all are that His Lordship’s finally put that old harridan Mrs Fitch in her place. Mr Rimmer told us what he said. Everyone in the servants’ hall was thrilled.’
‘Really?’ Florence blinked in surprise. ‘What did he say?’
‘Just that you were in charge now and she was to start showing you some proper respect. I would have cheered if I’d been there.’ Jane grinned and then bit her lip. ‘Only please don’t tell His Lordship that any of us know. Mr Rimmer was supposed to have left, but he couldn’t resist eavesdropping.’
‘Isn’t Mrs Fitch popular downstairs?’
‘Urgh, no.’ Jane rolled her eyes. ‘She’s a tyrant.
She dismissed Jemima, one of the scullery maids, last month just for talking about her beau, saying it reflected poor moral character, and she talks to everyone except Mr Sewell like she thinks she’s the marchioness.
She even demands to know what we’re doing on our days off so she can tell us whether or not it reflects well on the family. ’
‘Gracious.’ Florence made a face. ‘How does she think I reflect on the family?’
‘Oh…um…’ Jane’s attention seemed very focused on one particular hair knot suddenly. ‘I can’t say as I know for certain.’
‘Yes, you do. It’s all right, she hasn’t exactly hidden her opinion. You can say it.’
‘I’d rather not.’
‘That I’m an upstart farmer’s daughter?’
‘Something like that.’ Jane sounded embarrassed. ‘But on the plus side, it got me this job. I would never have been promoted to Lady’s Maid otherwise.’
‘In other words, she didn’t think me enough of a lady to warrant an experienced lady’s maid?’
‘Oh, dear.’ Jane looked crestfallen. ‘It sounds bad when you put it like that.’
‘Well, the joke’s on her, because I think it’s all worked out perfectly.
’ Florence smiled. ‘You’re an excellent lady’s maid, no matter what Mrs Fitch thinks, and now that I’m managing the household there are going to be some changes around here.
’ She straightened her shoulders, reevaluating her nightdress.
Yes, it was a little shocking at first, but it was also quite pretty, with dainty sleeves and buttons all the way down to her waist. She couldn’t help wondering what Leo would think of it.
‘That sounds like fighting talk.’ Jane grinned. ‘I knew there was a reason I liked you.’
‘I like you too.’ She laughed. ‘And my first change is that everyone may treat their private time as their own. No one will be dismissed simply for talking about their beau. What else?’
‘Well…’ Jane twisted her mouth to one side. ‘There’s the summer fair.’
‘Oh, yes. That’s in two days, isn’t it? What should I expect?’
‘Plenty. It’s a big event. There are stalls, of course, as well as contests for the children, sack races and such like. Then there are competitions too, like embroidery, baking, wood carving, flower arranging, all that kind of thing. Then everyone sits down to a picnic on the lawn.’
‘It sounds lovely.’
‘It is, only…’ Jane paused, as if she was trying to be tactful. ‘No offence to the marquess, but it can be a little uncomfortable. Everyone feels like they have to be on their best behaviour in case you-know-who tells tales on them.’
‘No!’
‘Yes! A couple of tenants almost lost their farms last year because their sons drank a little too much ale and got into a brawl over Agnes Tanner. Fitch reported it and the poor fathers had to come cap in hand to the steward’s office.
The old marquess made them grovel for half an hour and then gave them a lecture on raising children.
As if he had any idea.’ She snorted. ‘Begging your pardon.’
‘It’s all right. I met the marquess’s sister, Lady Brooke, in London and she told me something similar. She said she got away from him as soon as she could.’
‘I don’t blame her.’
‘Well, there won’t be any tale-telling this year.’ Florence nodded at her reflection in the mirror. ‘Or if there is, I’ll make sure the new marquess ignores it. Now what else can we do for the fair?’
‘Some music would be nice. Everyone would love some dancing.’
‘You haven’t had music before?’ She hoisted her eyebrows towards her hairline. ‘At a fair?’
‘Mrs Fitch says it leads to debauchery.’
‘Then we’ll definitely have some this year. Music, that is, not debauchery. Although we might have trouble finding musicians at such short notice.’
‘Leave that to me. My brother and his friends play their fiddles in the local tavern.’ Jane leaned forward eagerly. ‘They’re not an orchestra, but they’re pretty good.’
‘Perfect. Could you ask them?’
‘I’ll send one of the kitchen boys tonight with a message.’
‘Wonderful.’ Florence heaved a deep, gratified sigh. ‘We’re going to make this the best fair Rainton has ever had.’