Read Online A Priceless Gift: A Regency Romance by May Burnett - Free Book Online
Authors: May Burnett
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could not regret her actions. That housekeeper would only have caused her problems, and she was glad at the prospect of replacing her.
“That reminds me—who shall be put in her place? It would be best to bring in someone from outside, whose first loyalty is to her employers.”
“Yes. The head parlour maid in London—Struthers—might be a possibility. She is well-trained and hard-working and knows her letters. Of course, she is relatively young yet . . .”
“So am I. If you consider her suitable and she is willing to bury herself in the country, send her down as soon as you return to town.”
“It shall be as you order, my lady.”
Chapter 10
Amanda was not to have the chance to dismiss the thieving housekeeper. The woman must have realised from Tennant’s inspection that her days were up, for in the subsequent night she vanished from Racking. Her disappearance added to Tennant’s workload and delayed his departure yet further. He needed to conduct a thorough inspection of the whole estate to ascertain if she had taken any valuables with her and how great the damage might be.
The news that a new Countess Rackington was in residence had immediately spread across the entire county, and Amanda was soon busy receiving and returning calls from the local gentry. She was glad she was not yet showing; it was awkward enough not to have her husband at her side so soon after her marriage—not that she told anyone the exact date, trying rather to give the impression that a lengthy wedding journey lay behind her.
Most people were tactful enough not to ask directly for her husband’s whereabouts, but those who did were merely told that he had to undertake a sudden business journey abroad.
The arrival of Cousin Mattie—Mrs. Amathea Smithson—was most welcome. At last, a familiar face from her own past!
In the year since Amanda had last seen Sigurd, Mattie’s son, the child had shot up considerably. He was a serious and fussy boy, dark-haired like his father. Amanda took pleasure in introducing him to the spacious nursery on the second floor, which he would inhabit in solitary splendour until the new baby arrived.
“He’ll be lonely up here, so far from his Mama,” Mattie said worriedly.
Mrs. Ellington, the nurse Amanda had appointed the previous week after interviewing several local applicants, shook her head. “He’ll settle in soon enough, ma’am, and he’ll see you every day, after all.”
The boy did not appear upset. He was eagerly exploring the toy soldiers and rocking horse and picture books that previous children had left behind. Though free of dust, these objects must have been waiting a long time. As far as Amanda knew, Lucian had been the last child to inhabit this nursery. She tried to imagine her husband at Sigurd’s age. He would have played historic battles with the tin armies. But whose had been the large, elegantly dressed porcelain doll in the corner? With small glittering stones sewn into its costume, the doll looked extravagantly expensive, quite unlike the toys she and Eve had played with in their much simpler nursery. She must warn Mrs. Ellington not to let Sigurd break it. Boys were invariably destructive, judging by her young brothers.
Seeing that Mattie was still fretting, Amanda gently drew her cousin away. “Don’t give Sigurd the idea he has to be sad and lonely just because you feel the separation. Both of you will soon get accustomed to the new routine.”
“You were a child yourself so short a while ago.” Mattie stared at Amanda. “It is amazing how your marriage and higher rank have changed you. Not only are you dressed more elegantly than anyone in our family, ever, you already speak with a countess’s authority.”
Amanda smiled briefly. “It is necessary in my new position. Thank you for coming, as I require a companion in my husband’s absence. I trust it was not a great sacrifice?”
“It is certainly a relief that I need no longer worry how to pay
“That reminds me—who shall be put in her place? It would be best to bring in someone from outside, whose first loyalty is to her employers.”
“Yes. The head parlour maid in London—Struthers—might be a possibility. She is well-trained and hard-working and knows her letters. Of course, she is relatively young yet . . .”
“So am I. If you consider her suitable and she is willing to bury herself in the country, send her down as soon as you return to town.”
“It shall be as you order, my lady.”
Chapter 10
Amanda was not to have the chance to dismiss the thieving housekeeper. The woman must have realised from Tennant’s inspection that her days were up, for in the subsequent night she vanished from Racking. Her disappearance added to Tennant’s workload and delayed his departure yet further. He needed to conduct a thorough inspection of the whole estate to ascertain if she had taken any valuables with her and how great the damage might be.
The news that a new Countess Rackington was in residence had immediately spread across the entire county, and Amanda was soon busy receiving and returning calls from the local gentry. She was glad she was not yet showing; it was awkward enough not to have her husband at her side so soon after her marriage—not that she told anyone the exact date, trying rather to give the impression that a lengthy wedding journey lay behind her.
Most people were tactful enough not to ask directly for her husband’s whereabouts, but those who did were merely told that he had to undertake a sudden business journey abroad.
The arrival of Cousin Mattie—Mrs. Amathea Smithson—was most welcome. At last, a familiar face from her own past!
In the year since Amanda had last seen Sigurd, Mattie’s son, the child had shot up considerably. He was a serious and fussy boy, dark-haired like his father. Amanda took pleasure in introducing him to the spacious nursery on the second floor, which he would inhabit in solitary splendour until the new baby arrived.
“He’ll be lonely up here, so far from his Mama,” Mattie said worriedly.
Mrs. Ellington, the nurse Amanda had appointed the previous week after interviewing several local applicants, shook her head. “He’ll settle in soon enough, ma’am, and he’ll see you every day, after all.”
The boy did not appear upset. He was eagerly exploring the toy soldiers and rocking horse and picture books that previous children had left behind. Though free of dust, these objects must have been waiting a long time. As far as Amanda knew, Lucian had been the last child to inhabit this nursery. She tried to imagine her husband at Sigurd’s age. He would have played historic battles with the tin armies. But whose had been the large, elegantly dressed porcelain doll in the corner? With small glittering stones sewn into its costume, the doll looked extravagantly expensive, quite unlike the toys she and Eve had played with in their much simpler nursery. She must warn Mrs. Ellington not to let Sigurd break it. Boys were invariably destructive, judging by her young brothers.
Seeing that Mattie was still fretting, Amanda gently drew her cousin away. “Don’t give Sigurd the idea he has to be sad and lonely just because you feel the separation. Both of you will soon get accustomed to the new routine.”
“You were a child yourself so short a while ago.” Mattie stared at Amanda. “It is amazing how your marriage and higher rank have changed you. Not only are you dressed more elegantly than anyone in our family, ever, you already speak with a countess’s authority.”
Amanda smiled briefly. “It is necessary in my new position. Thank you for coming, as I require a companion in my husband’s absence. I trust it was not a great sacrifice?”
“It is certainly a relief that I need no longer worry how to pay
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