“There is not a premium placed on honesty in London. I am often scolded for being a big mouth, my mother says—indelicate and not ladylike. But… well, I tend to say it as I see it.”
Lady Alderman, the elder, had come into the room and Cordelia spied her and said, “Oops. Am I in trouble?” she asked her mother.
Lady Alderman appeared not to want to get into a heated discussion in front of the Duke and said, “I have no idea what you are talking about, child. But it looks as though we have become snowed in.” She turned to Thomas and sighed, “It appears we shall be spending our day before the fire. I cannot imagine anyone will be going outside today.” She sat at her place at the table and said to Willoughby, “Tea, and something very warming for breakfast. What do you suggest?”
“We have porridge, Your Ladyship. As well as the usual fare. Whatever pleases you.”
“Porridge is disgusting. I see kippers. I shall have that, an egg, and toast with marmalade.”
“Of course, Your Ladyship. Right away.”
Lady Alderman and her daughter entered into a conversation about woolly undergarments to keep out the cold, and Thomas drifted into his own thoughts.
He had become alarmed at what he was discovering about the Aldermans and decided he needed to have a conversation with his Grandmamma.
* * *
Right after breakfast, Thomas trudged through the snow to the stables. He expected to find Barnstable, as he lived in a flat above the horses. But he was shocked to see the young Robert standing by and ready for whatever was required of him.
“Mr. Robert, I did not expect you on a snowy morning like today. How ever did you get here?”
“My papa bought me a horse. Not a fine one, but a serviceable one.” He pointed to what had been an empty stall and Thomas could see a most dilapidated-looking nag. “Is it fine for me to keep her here while I am working, Your Grace?”
“Aye. Happy we can provide a shelter for her on a day like this.”
“I am ready to work. How can I help you today?” Robert asked.
Thomas was most impressed with the spunk the boy showed, and he felt they had made the right decision in hiring him.
“There will be no riding today.” Thomas turned to Barnstable and asked, “Might you be able to give the lad some indoor instruction? Basics before he starts actually riding?”
“That is what I was thinking. Thought we might start with grooming the horses. In weather like this, we need to keep them warm and a good brushing helps.”
“Excellent. Do whatever can be done today. Best to do inside work. And let me know if you need anything.”
“Aye, Your Grace,” Barnstable said, touching his cap.
Thomas started to leave but stopped and said to Robert, “I saw your sister, Jenny, last evening. Did she manage to get home last night?”
“No sir and it was causing an uproar in the bakery before I left, I can tell you,” Robert said with a laugh.
* * *
Thomas found his Grandmamma in the kitchen pantry checking the seals on her newly made raspberry jam.
“Here you are. When can we try some of that?” he asked.
“Any time. I shall instruct Cook to put it out with the marmalade to serve next breakfast,” she answered, as she stood back to admire her shelf laden with her new treat. “What a storm last night, I was afraid you might not make it home but would be found, by the side of the road, frozen solid like a tin soldier in the midst of battle.”
“It was close but, as you can see, I survived.” He took his Grandmamma’s arm and asked, “What is your impression of our guests, Grandmamma?”
She looked at him askance. “I will just say I am reserving my judgement for the moment.”
“Then you have reservations about Lady Alderman?”
She pursed her lips and reached up to turn a jar, so the label was in alignment with the other jars. “She meets all of our qualifications for a duchess…”
“But?”
