“I know. I am sorry, My Lord. But I need to go, I do, and that’s no lie.”
Lord Ronald tapped at the door of Percival’s office and stepped in. “Has this young woman given you some difficulty, Nephew?” he asked.
“No, Uncle. She has simply discovered a need to be elsewhere. I am obliging her with a reference.”
“A reference? For leaving her post with a contract unfulfilled? I see you are about your egalitarian ways of coddling the servants again.”
“I would hardly call providing a reference coddling, Uncle Ronald. Nor do I wish to keep anyone against their will.”
Lord Ronald fixed his gaze upon Sophie. “I think there must be some mistake. Has someone been bothering you, Sophie?”
Sophie colored up and unshed tears glittered in her eyes. “No, Lord Ronald. Everyone has been perfectly civil and correct.”
“I see. So you simply developed a desire to travel?”
“Yes, Lord Ronald. I . . .would like to travel. I think the country would suit me very well.”
“Got yourself into some foolish mischief, no doubt.”
“No! No, Lord Ronald, Lord Northbury. Nothing of the kind.”
“Then I think you should go on back to your duties, young woman, and stop bothering your betters. Do you not realize that Lord Northbury is recovering?”
“Yes, Lord Ronald.” Sophie bobbed a curtsey.
“It is always best to finish your contracts, if you take my meaning.” Lord Ronald smiled, more of a baring of teeth than a pleasant expression.
Sophie dropped her eyes. “Yes, Lord Ronald. I am sorry to have bothered you, Lord Northbury. May I be excused, please?”
“Of course,” Percival said, more than a little bemused.
Sophie bobbed them each a quick curtsy, then squeezed around Lord Ronald, being careful not to touch him. He watched as Sophie’s footsteps went quickly down the hall.
Percival wiped his quill and capped his ink bottle. “Well, that was very strange,” he said.
“Yes, it was,” Lord Ronald said. “I keep telling you, Nephew, no good at all will come of coddling your servants. They will get notions about friendship and such like, then where will you be? No, it is best to maintain a professional detachment at all times.”
“Amazingly, I would rather be served willingly than by someone who is coerced,” Percival said mildly. “Have you come to discuss opening the billiard room? It has not been used since you were last in residence. But I believe my friends play, and could provide some challenge.”
“I can think of nothing better,” Lord Ronald said jovially. “Are your friends there in the library?”
“They are,” Percival assured him. “It will be but the work of a moment to ask them.”
Quentin and Kenault were, of course, eager for new diversion. Accustomed as they were to being about the town, they were beginning to find keeping their friend constant company more than a little irksome.
The billiards room was handsomely appointed with racks for the cues and balls, as well as a fine table. It was also equipped with a fencing area, masks, and an assortment of foils along one side of the room.
On the other side, game boards were marked on the floor for the amusement of both young and old. Percival and his father had whiled away many a rainy afternoon here.
Lord Ronald ran a finger along one edge of the table. When it came away clean, he remarked, “Well, I see that your staff is at least keeping this area clean. Are you sure it is not being used for their amusement in your absence?”
“Quite sure, Uncle. Should they wish to do so, they would ask first. But my people are quite busy as a rule, and do not have time to play games.”
“Amazing. What do you call what you were doing with that young cook?”
“Educating her,” Percival said dryly. “I wanted her to be able to keep accounts and read recipes as needed. That is difficult if she does not read and write.”
“I can understand a need for education. But such things are usually carried out by the butler, and in an area such as the servants’ dining hall.”
