“So good to know that it meets with your approval, McClellan,” Percival said dryly.
McClellan seemed to recognize that he might have overstepped his authority. “I am quite sure that all your endeavors are well meant, My Lord. I would never presume to judge.”
“Coming in a bit too strong, McClellan. You have always discreetly let me know when my behavior is less than pleasing. But you will see to it?”
“Of course, My Lord. If you intend to keep her on, then it is only right and just to understand her antecedents.”
“Quite so. Please tell Smithers that I shall be up shortly. I plan to look over the accounts briefly to gain some insight as to how to shape my day tomorrow.”
“I will be glad to, My Lord.”
After McClellan had departed, Percival sat at his desk, staring blankly at the row of guest chairs in his office. In his mind’s eye, he could see her sitting there, hunched up in a bundle of misery and fear. Yet she had come to her feet, and had the audacity to bargain with him over her wages.
Then he could see her arguing with Jones about the state of the kitchen, and finally, today, dressed as modestly as a little wren in her church clothes.
I wonder what she is doing now? Cooking something, no doubt.
He stood and stretched. In truth, he had never felt better. He felt as if he was waking up after a long sleep.
I had no idea that the quality of food could make such a difference. Perhaps I can invite her up to discuss the orphanage with Quentin and Kenault. None of us have the slightest experience with children of any age. She’s been shepherding several while she herself was in an insecure situation.
He quickly scribbled a note to Tiffany, then one to each of his friends, stood up, and went to the hall door. “Lucas, take a note downstairs to the cook, then take these notes around to the addresses on each. Wait for replies if you would, please.”
“At once, My Lord,” Lucas said, and went off briskly to do Percival’s bidding.
Percival sat back in his chair, well pleased with himself.
* * *
Tiffany used the back of her hand to brush a lock of hair out of her face, then accepted the note from Lucas. She opened it and then looked up at Lucas with dismay. “He wants me to cook dinner, oversee serving it, and then attend him after dinner? We will be in the thick of clean up!”
“I know,” Lucas sympathized. “But it seems that he wants to talk about that orphanage that they’s puttin’ up. It’s a grand idea, Miss Bentley, if they do it right.”
Tiffany started to use her hands to tuck away the stray bit of hair, then remembered that she had flour all over them. “It is a grand idea,” she conceded. “But I don’t know anything about children or building things.”
“Emily says you were better’n Samuel at taking care of them,” Lucas said. “I talked to her whilst I helped her balance their bundles an’ those new soup pails.”
“Did she?” Tiffany blinked rapidly. “I’ll go, Lucas, it is just that it will leave Grace, Michaels, and Evan to do the clearing up alone.”
“Don’t you worry ‘bout the clearing up,” Evan put in, as he brought a stack of clean dishes. “We’ll take care of it right and tight. If you’ll see to the sponge, tain’t nothing else that me’n Michaels can’t take care of.”
“And I’ll help you dress,” Grace added. “You won’t want to go up in your uniform. Not for a meeting like that.”
“Thank you, all,” Tiffany said. “Very well, Lucas, I think we are all arranged. If you could let His Lordship know that I will be there?”
“I will, Miss Bentley. Now, I’m off to run me other errands.” With that, he was off, weaving his way among the tables that held the food that was being prepared.
Tiffany stopped her work to watch him go. “What do I know that they won’t know already?” she addressed the room in general.
Michaels looked up from where he was carefully basting a large roast. “I doubt that any of them has ever lived on the street, Girlie. You just might know more about what they needs to know than you think you do.”
Tiffany thought about that for a moment. “I hope I know something that will truly help, even if I’m not sure what that might be.”
Preparing and serving dinner went on apace. While she worked, Tiffany pondered Michael words. The more she thought, the more apprehensive she became.
What if this is all just a ruse to get at my friends? I will have to be extremely careful what I say.
As dinner preparations drew to a close, both Michaels and Grace urged her to take a few minutes to eat before going up to dress. Recognizing the sense of this, she took a plate to her little desk, but she was nearly too nervous to eat.
