Amanda Scott by The Bawdy Bride Page B

alone.”
    “Yes, madam.” But Jane gave her the doubtful look she was quickly growing accustomed to seeing on the servants’ faces whenever she made a suggestion.
    She said, “I believe you have made the acquaintance of my personal maid, Maisie Bray.”
    “Oh, yes, madam. She spoke most kindly to me.”
    “Since you are both new here, perhaps you can be friends.”
    “Oh, but Miss Bray is too far above me, madam. She will not wish to associate with one so inferior to herself.”
    “Nonsense,” Anne said bracingly. “You are not a scullery maid, Jane.” But when Jane only shook her head, Anne realized that in the strict hierarchy of the servants’ hall, Maisie would have to make the overtures. She dropped that subject but did not leave Jane before sending for an under-housemaid to assist her, so that when Elbert returned he would not find Jane alone.
    Less than a quarter hour later, having changed to footwear more suited to the outdoors, and put on a dark blue wool cloak, Anne was hurrying down the grand stair toward the entrance hall when she encountered her husband on his way up.
    “Good day to you, sir,” she said, controlling with difficulty the wave of shyness that threatened to overcome her, and knowing from the sudden heat in her cheeks that she was blushing deeply.
    “Hello,” he said, looking surprised, almost, she thought, as if he had altogether forgotten her presence in the house. He recovered rapidly, however, adding, “I trust you slept well.”
    “Yes, sir, very well. A-and you?” The heat in her cheeks increased when she remembered their rather sudden parting.
    “Quite well, thank you.” If he was embarrassed by the same memory, he did not show it. In fact, she thought she detected a twinkle in his eyes, and the sight of it did much to relieve her tension. That it also stirred tingling warmth deep inside her, she strove to ignore. He said, “Have you found something to occupy you? I suppose I ought by rights to take you out and about, or somehow see to it that our neighbors are made aware of your presence here so they can make you welcome, but indeed I cannot spare the time for that just now. My brother’s affairs, as you must have guessed, are still in a tangle, and I no sooner seem to unravel one knot than another forms in its place.”
    “Perhaps I can be of help, sir.”
    “I doubt that very much. I merely wanted to make plain to you that my duties are to blame if I seem to be a neglectful husband.”
    “Then you must attend to them,” Anne said. “In my experience, news travels quickly whether one wishes it to or not. Indeed, even if your people have not spread the word, Sir Jacob Thornton will no doubt do so when he returns from Derby. The neighbors nearby must be aware of my presence in any case, and even if they do not call at once, I shall find plenty to occupy me here in the house.”
    “Excellent,” he said, smiling. He was two steps below her, so she was face to face with him, and she was struck once again by the way his smile altered his generally stern features, softening them and making them less formidable.
    She was encouraged to say, “Perhaps you might take one moment to advise me, sir. I have encountered a small problem, and although at Rendlesham I would know precisely what to do, apparently such matters are dealt with differently here.”
    “What is the problem?”
    “I walked in upon a footman who had cornered a housemaid and was attempting to force his attentions on her.”
    Lord Michael chuckled. “The minx had probably been flirting with him.”
    “She said she had not, and I believe her.”
    “Well, don’t bother your head about it, my dear. Bagshaw sees to it that such matters never go too far. We do not keep immoral servants at Upminster Priory.”
    Anne knew she ought simply to accept his advice and let the matter drop, but a stirring of annoyance pressed her to say, “The footman was Elbert, sir. It does not suit my dignity to have my personal