Hagen leaned forward. “Yes, but don’t you see? Those around about with ailments should now come to me! But they won’t—not while they blindly cling to the past! To antiquated ways. They insist on seeing the Penrose woman and relying on her herbs and potions!”
Hagen’s performance would have been comical had the insult to Alice Penrose not been so blatant. Gregory allowed his features and his tone to harden. “I fear, Hagen, that I remain mystified as to what you believe I should do. From where I sit, I see no reason to interfere in what is plainly long-standing local practice. It is not for me to tell others what to think or do regarding their health.”
“Dash it all!” Hagen’s hold on his temper was slipping; he thrust a hand through his hair. “Look here—the Penrose female works for you, doesn’t she? Even if not technically, she depends on your support. If you were to withdraw it—”
“And why would I do that?” Gregory caught Caitlin’s eye and nodded at her to approach; it was clearly time to introduce Hagen to her no doubt more robust opinion. “To be clear, Miss Penrose does not work for me.” Gregory looked at Caitlin as she rounded the desk; with her violet eyes flashing fire at the hapless Hagen, she came to stand beside Gregory’s chair. “Perhaps, Miss Fergusson, you should explain to Mr. Hagen how matters are managed at Bellamy Hall.”
“Indeed, sir.” In a crisp, no-nonsense fashion, she rolled on, “Miss Penrose is not in any way a pensioner of the Bellamy Hall estate. She lives here, and her workshop is sited within the Hall, but that is by commercial arrangement. Miss Penrose is an independent businesswoman to whom the Hall acts in the capacity of a landlord. Miss Penrose is widely acknowledged as having a great deal of experience and expertise in treating all manner of maladies, and she and her remedies are highly regarded throughout the county. From the estate’s point of view, having Miss Penrose as one of its business members brings both significant revenue and considerable status through being the home of such a respected and worthy member of the community.”
When Hagen frowned at Caitlin, Gregory languidly waved and explained, “Miss Fergusson is the Hall’s chatelaine and also acts as estate steward. I rely on her knowledge and advice regarding the numerous businesses the estate hosts. That includes Miss Penrose’s apothecary business.”
Hagen’s expression had steadily darkened. Shifting his gaze from Caitlin, he looked at Gregory. “So on the say-so of your chatelaine, you won’t do anything about that dratted woman?”
Caitlin glanced at Gregory and saw the last vestige of civility flee his face. His gaze bored into Hagen, and when he spoke, there was a bite in his tone that was positively menacing.
“I suggest, Hagen, that if you wish to expand your practice, the fastest way to do so would be to impress the locals, first, by treating them and their opinions and ways with respect, and second, by actively demonstrating the value of your scientific ways through your treatment of those who do solicit your services. Respect and standing only come through hard work, and both are honors that are bestowed, not rights granted on demand.”
Caitlin stared at Gregory with new eyes. This wasn’t the man she’d grown accustomed to seeing—that everyone at the Hall had seen. She’d had no idea such steel lay beneath his polished exterior and found the revelation fascinating.
After holding Hagen silent with his gaze for several fraught and weighty seconds, Gregory glanced at her, then looked past her at the bellpull.
With alacrity, she turned, walked to the wall, and tugged the embroidered pull.
She turned back as Gregory, his expression cold and his tone icy, said, “And now, Hagen, I fear Miss Fergusson and I are extremely busy.”
The clear implication being that they had better things to do than listen to Hagen’s whining.
Slowly, Hagen blinked. He looked like he’d been slapped in the face with a very dead cod.
Caitlin battled to keep her lips straight and her expression blank.
Cromwell must have been waiting for the summons; he opened the door and came in. “You rang, sir?”
“Indeed.” Gregory looked at Cromwell. “Mr. Hagen was just leaving. Please show him out.”
Hagen opened his mouth, then shut it.
When Gregory looked at him and pointedly raised a brow, Hagen slowly got to his feet. He paused, but then scowled, turned, and marched out. Cromwell followed, shutting the door behind him.
Caitlin looked at Gregory. He stared at the door for a moment, then reached for a partially written letter and set it on the blotter before him. “That will teach me for not acting on Cromwell’s recommendation.”
“Oh?” She was intrigued. “Did Cromwell say something about Hagen?”
“Not said so much as subtly implied. In best butler fashion, Cromwell kept hesitating over describing Hagen as a gentleman.”
“Ah.” Grinning, she nodded. “I see.”
Gregory sighed. “I should have trusted Cromwell’s instincts and acted accordingly. Then I might have spared both our tempers the aggravation of having to deal with such a small-minded fellow.” He picked up his pen and brandished it. “I swear I will take this to heart. When it comes to the manner of a man, butlers are always right.”
Caitlin laughed and started for the door. “If you have no further need of my advice…”
Without looking up from his letter, he waved her off. “No, no—you’re free to go.”
As, smiling, she reached for the doorknob, he added, “Incidentally, I’m writing to my sister-in-law, asking her for all she can tell me about her uncle’s herd of prize goats. There might be something in her report that Joshua will find useful.”
“Very likely.” She paused for a second, watching as he bent over the letter, writing rapidly, then she opened the door and left him to his industry.
After shutting the door behind her, she paused. She felt quite chuffed on several counts, including that he’d called for her assistance with Hagen and his unreasonable demands and that, together, they’d seen off the odious doctor. On top of that, she’d been impressed by the strength she’d glimpsed beneath Gregory’s sophisticated glamour and felt distinctly heartened by the way he’d risen to Alice’s defense.
