The Deceptive Lady Darby (Lost Ladies of London 2)

The housekeeper stared at Rose, her brows drawn together in curious enquiry. “Was your previous master one of those fussy types? A stickler for educating the lower classes, was he? I worked for a man once who made the staff take lessons in the correct pronunciation of vowels.”

It occurred to Rose that the housekeeper referred to her eloquent diction and turn of phrase.

“Erm … yes. The major is an advocate of reform.” Rose detested lies, but sometimes they were necessary.

“Well, you’ll find the master here has no time to care for himself, let alone the staff.” The woman ushered Rose along the path. “If Mrs Booth leaves us, heaven knows how he’ll cope.”

With her nose thrust in the air, Mrs Booth continued her march towards the front gate while they followed behind. Whenever Rose’s toes hit the top of her boots, she bit back a groan.

“Do you have a limp, girl?” the housekeeper asked. “Because there was no mention of it when the master hired you, and he’s too honourable a man to tolerate deceit.”

“It’s my boots. They’ve rubbed blisters the size of walnuts.”

The housekeeper patted Rose on the arm as they tottered after Mrs Booth. “A miser is he?”

“Excuse me?”

“Your old master. Too tight in the purse to buy his staff a decent pair of shoes.”

“Something like that.” The Earl of Stanton was a miser and a man without a conscience or heart.

Since declaring her affection for Lord Cunningham, her father had lost all use of his faculties. What sane man bundles his daughter into a hired coach and spirits her away to a dilapidated manor?

Poor Lord Cunningham. The man must be beside himself with worry. What must he think of her? No sooner had he professed his love than she vanished without a trace.

“Mrs Booth. Wait. You’ll put an old woman in her grave if you don’t slow down. Will you not listen to what I have to say?”

Mrs Booth swung around. “Mrs Hibbet, had you endured a week of torture I’m sure you’d be leaving, too. Do you know what I found in my bed this evening?” Mrs Booth didn’t give them a chance to ask but pointed to an upstairs window and jabbed her finger. “Toads! Yes, you heard me. Toads. Not just one of the slimy things, but more than I could count. Hopping about and glaring at me with their cold, lifeless eyes.”

“They’re just silly pranks. The children adore you.” Although the housekeeper wore an affectionate smile, her words lacked conviction.

Mrs Booth straightened. “I’m leaving, and that’s that.”

“What if I ask the master to increase your wages?” Mrs Hibbet sounded desperate. “With Jane away and three staff sick, we’re short as it is.” She turned to Rose and patted her arm. “Maybe it’s a good thing you arrived when you did.”

Rose smiled weakly. She had no intention of staying. A ride to Morton Manor was the only thing she needed.

“His lordship could offer me a chest full of jewels, and it wouldn’t be enough.”

“The children can’t be that bad,” Rose said.

“Then you tend to them,” Mrs Booth countered. “Let’s see if you feel the same when you wake to find your hair sheared and those golden ringlets scattered across the floor.”

With that, Mrs Booth swung around with an air of determination and continued on her way.

Mrs Hibbet put her hands on her hips. “Oh, that woman is as stubborn as a mule but only half as handsome.”

Rose chuckled, but then a wave of sadness washed over her when she noted Mrs Hibbet’s grim expression. “What will you do now?”

“Pray to the Lord for a miracle.” A weary sigh left the housekeeper’s lips. She shook her head as Mrs Booth disappeared into the distance. “Those poor blighters need constant supervision, and as we’re short of maids, I must be the one to mind them.”

“Can you not get help in the village?”

Mrs Hibbet put a hand on Rose’s back and rubbed affectionately. “Bless you, dear. But the master will only hire staff from the agency in London. He’ll not employ anyone from the area.”

“Why? Is the mistress not keen to support those in the parish?”

Mrs Hibbet’s expression darkened. “There is no mistress at Everleigh, only his lordship and the two children. No. The master is most insistent