Read Online Carola Dunn by The Actressand the Rake - Free Book Online Page B

liquid from the earthenware jug. “If there’s anything as good as Addlescombe ale, it’s Addlescombe cider.”
    “Sir Barnabas had his standards, Master Miles, as well you know.”
    “None better,” he said ruefully. “I’m astounded that he considered me fit to take over the estate.”
    “Fitter nor some. ‘Tis a pity you’ve to share with another,” said Mrs Hibbert with severe disapproval.
    “Miss Wingate has more right to be here than I,” Miles pointed out. “She’s the old man’s own granddaughter.”
    “That’s as may be. Fond as I was of Miss Anthea, I never thought the day’d come I’d be taking orders from an actress.”
    “What makes you think she’s an actress?”
    “There’s precious little Lady Philpott don’t tell her abigail.”
    “I suspected the servants knew all.”
    “Only the upper servants,” she said with a sniff. “The under servants are better off unaware of such scandalous doings.”
    “But it’s your Miss Anthea who’s the actress, Hibby. By the way, you’ll be glad to hear she’s happy in her marriage.”
    Looking as much surprised as glad, the housekeeper said sceptically, “And how would you be knowing that, Master Miles?”
    “Miss Wingate told me her parents are devoted to each other. They live most respectably together despite the notoriety of the theatrical world, from which they have shielded Miss Wingate. She is not upon the stage.” He hesitated. Wardrobe mistress sounded too closely connected with the theatre. “She’s been employed as a seamstress.”
    “Then why did she turn up bold as brass in your carriage, sir, without never a chaperon, and you known to have a soft spot for the acting profession?”
    “She came by the public coach, and I met her walking from Riddlebourne. You must know she left her box there. You’d not have had me leave her to struggle on afoot and arrive late?”
    “You had ever a kind heart, Master Miles.”
    “And she had no chaperon because her mama works for her living and they could not afford a maid to accompany her. Come, Hibby, I know you too have a kind heart. Give the poor girl the benefit of the doubt.”
    “Sewing’s a respectable trade,” Mrs Hibbert allowed dubiously. “All the same, it don’t fit a female to take charge of a place like the Manor.”
    “So she’ll need your help until she learns how to go about it.”
    The housekeeper sighed. “You’ve not lost a mite of your cozening ways. Well, we’ll see.”
    “The alternative is for Mrs Chidwell to remain in charge for the next six months, unless you believe Lady Philpott will summon up the courage to defy her.”
    Her response was an eloquent snort.
    Satisfied that he had done his best to smooth Miss Wingate’s path, Miles finished up his cider and was about to leave when there came a timid tapping at the door.
    “Come in,” called Mrs Hibbert.
    Miss Wingate came in. Her anxious gaze fixed on the housekeeper, she did not notice Miles. “Mrs Hibbert?” she said. “Maud said you wished to speak to me?”
    “No, no, no!” Miles seized her by the arm and bustled her out. “All wrong. Mrs Hibbert,” he said over his shoulder, “Miss Wingate will see you in the library in five minutes.”
    As he closed the door behind them, he saw the housekeeper shake her head, but she was smiling.
    “What do you mean, all wrong?” Miss Wingate wrested her arm from his grip and came to a standstill. “The footman said that was Mrs Hibbert’s room, and my maid said she wanted to see me.”
    “My dear girl, you are Miss Wingate of Addlescombe. If your housekeeper requests a word with you, you send for her at your convenience. You don’t rush to her room.”
    “You were there.”
    “I’ve known Mrs Hibbert since I was a child. When you are equally familiar with her, you may drop in now and then for a friendly chat.”
    “Oh.” Her lips trembling, Miss Wingate started back along the passage. “I’ve made a bad start, haven’t I? She’ll