After a few mouthfuls washed down with a cup of tea, she declared that she was finished. Then she and Grace went up to her room.
Sophie came in just as Grace was putting the last touches on Tiffany’s hair.
“Where are you off to?” Sophie asked. “It is nearly time for lights out.”
“Lord Northbury has asked for Tiffany’s opinion on some things,” Grace defended her. “Naturally, she wishes to look her best, especially since he has guests.”
“Opinion, is it?” Sophie draped herself across her bed, and peered at them both through half-lidded eyes. “Is that what they are calling it, these days?”
Tiffany felt a flash of anger. “Do not impugn Lord Northbury. He is kind to all of us, but I have every reason to be grateful to him. It is my pleasure to help him in any way I possibly can.”
“Of course it is,” Sophie said silkily.
“Sophie!” Grace exclaimed. “You know that Lord Northbury is the soul of honor. He has never behaved in any manner that was untoward with the female staff members.”
“If you say so,” Sophie said. “I say he is male, and is therefore not to be trusted in any way at all.”
Tiffany stared at the maid a long moment. “I lived on the street for two years and managed to retain my virtue. Do you not think that I have some idea of whether a gentleman is to be trusted?”
“Did you really, now? We have only your word for that,” Sophie sniped at her. “For all we know . . .”
“That is enough, Sophie!” Grace interjected. “Why are you being so unkind?”
“She came here, and turned our world upside down. Do you like being turned into a kitchen maid?”
“I don’t mind it,” Grace declared. “In fact, it is pleasant work and I am being paid the same wage as before. His Lordship was kind enough to let you go back to upstairs work when you requested it.”
“It is well enough for you, Grace. Your beau did not get turned off with the barest of references.”
“No, he did not,” Grace flushed with uncharacteristic anger. “My Lucas attends his duties as he should, so no one has any reason to turn him off.” Then her tone softened, “Is that what is troubling you, Sophie? That Jones was turned off?”
Sophie nodded. “That’s part of it. And part of it is that you and I used to be friends. What happened to that, Grace?”
“Oh, Sophie. We could be having good times in the kitchen if only you had wanted to stay. I am still your friend.”
“I must go,” Tiffany said.
“Of course you must,” Grace said. “If you don’t mind, I’ll just stay and talk with Sophie a few minutes before I go down to help with the last of the clearing up.”
“That is quite all right, Grace,” Tiffany said. “Take as much time as you need, but do go help Michaels since his idea of‘swabbing the decks’falls a bit short of completely pleasing.”
“Thank you,” Grace replied, “I will be down there shortly.” She then turned back to Sophie.
Tiffany hurried out the door, but just as she closed it she heard Sophie say, “Does it not gall you to take orders from a guttersnipe?”
Another life, no two lives, that I have disrupted. Is there nothing that I can do right?
But there was no time for recriminations. She needed to go speak with the master of the house, as he had requested. Would she still have a place at the end of this conversation?
Chapter 17
Tiffany nervously knocked at the study door and after being granted permission, she entered Percival’s office. He sat in his usual chair behind the big desk. Three other gentlemen sat in the guest chairs.
Lord Northbury rose, walked around his desk, and extended his hand to her. When she placed her small hand in his, he drew her toward the others. “Parson, Eddy, Tommy, I would like to make known to you Miss Tiffany Bentley, our cook. Miss Bentley, allow me to introduce Parson Rollins, Mr. Edward Quentin, and Mr. Thomas Kenault, all of whom make up the committee on which I am serving.”
“I am very pleased to meet you,” Tiffany said.
“With the introductions out of the way,” Lord Northbury said, “Let us retire to the library. I have already requested the McClellan should have some tea brought up for us.”
