A Gentleman of Worth, page 12
“I will pack my own trunks, sir!” Mrs. Chapman’s hands clenched at her sides while she spluttered out her demand.
“Not when you make threats against me or my wife. Do not expect a recommendation from us, for you will receive none from Audley Place.”
Mr. Franks held out his arm towards the servants’ corridor. “Mrs. Chapman,” he said. His eyes still darted back and forth between Anthony and the housekeeper. He, no doubt, had some concerns over what was happening.
“Thank you,” said Amy, who kissed his cheek as soon as the butler and Mrs. Chapman were gone.
He took her hand and pressed the chatelaine into her palm. “Something in her manner bothers me. Pen your letters to your grandmother and cousin in the housekeeper’s apartments if you must, but do not leave the packing to the maids and footmen without supervision.”
She sighed and nodded before departing his study. He made to close the door and return to his ledgers, but he paused at Mr. Franks who hastened in his direction. “Sir Anthony, a boy was in the kitchens with a note for you when I went down.”
He stared at the missive when it was in his fingers. The seal had no crest or marking. “Is he awaiting a response?”
“No, sir. He scurried out once it was delivered.”
As soon as Anthony was alone, he brought the missive to his nose. He knew that scent. It had been difficult to forget, even though he had done his best to try. When he broke the seal, the letter itself was short.
“You have a very pretty little wife. Does she know about me?”
He gritted his teeth and flung the offending message into the fire, watching the flames devour the paper. Now, he could have no doubts Lady Lincoln meant to be outside Richmond House the evening of their return from Kent. Who could know her purpose the night of the ball since she departed without causing mischief? One thing was certain, someone in his house surely passed her information. How else could she have known where they would be?
Amy would oversee Mrs. Chapman’s removal and likely expel anyone loyal to the woman in the process. He could only hope and pray the offending servant was purged at the same time.
Amelia was exhausted! All those years of the housekeeper’s accumulated belongings took far too much time to sort. A missive had been sent to Lizzy and another to her grandmother enquiring of possible housekeepers in their households. No response had arrived as yet.
“Lady Amelia!” Martin bustled in, a silver tray in her hands. “I found this between Mrs. Chapman’s gowns. The Greene crest is engraved in the centre.”
“Lucy, fetch Mr. Franks.” At Amelia’s firm tone, the young maid squeaked and rushed from the room.
When faced with the task of packing the housekeeper’s trunks, she had requested Martin’s help. Who would be better than the maid who had been in her service since she first had need of an abigail of her own. She trusted Martin implicitly, and Martin had brought a young chambermaid as well as a footman to assist her. Since Mrs. Chapman disliked both and treated them with venom, they were all too happy to have a small part in ridding the household of the woman.
The table before her was laden with tea, sugar, and a tin of chocolate. How much had the woman been stealing over the years?
“You wished to see me, my lady?” asked Mr. Franks when he entered.
“Yes, do you recognise this?” She held up the platter Martin had found.
He gasped. “Yes, ma’am. That went missing while you and the master were in Kent. It had been used for dinner the week before, so I thought it had been misplaced.”
“Does that happen often?”
He gave a one-shouldered shrug. “On occasion, but within a few days, whatever is missing usually finds its way back. Three pieces never reappeared: the tray to one of the silver tea services, an ornate gold candelabrum that belonged to the master’s grandmother, and a heavy silver platter the master used for balls.”
“I remember that one,” said the young maid. “That was two years ago. Mrs. Chapman was in a right fury to find it, do you remember?”
“The master only used it that once—for Lady Goderich’s engagement ball. With the house in such a furore over her marriage, the master had little time to worry over it.”
Amelia exhaled heavily and noted the items on a piece of paper. “She may have been deflecting the attention away from her. Since she manages the tea, coffee, and chocolate, it is easier to steal than silver and pieces that would be noted as Mr. Franks obviously has. Pieces missing and reappearing would make the initial disappearance more commonplace, I think. No one would question whether they would reappear, but just wait for it to occur. Three pieces in fifteen years would be unlikely to cause speculation within the household. She was quite clever. We should send for the magistrate, though. I assume Mrs. Chapman is still awaiting her belongings in the mews?”
“Last I saw her,” said Mr. Franks.
“Send James. I am unsure of those who are loyal and will warn her.”
“We can assist with that, my lady,” said Lucy.
“I appreciate all you have done already.”
Not long after Mr. Franks disappeared with the footman, he returned with two ladies. “My lady, these two claim they are from Lady Richmond’s household.”
She smiled and relaxed a bit. Her grandmother always kept a maid who trained under the housekeeper as well as a maid or two who were younger siblings of her current servants. They worked when Richmond House had need of additional help for balls and when certain guests were entertained, though that happened but rarely. “I remember both of you. Grace, you were learning the housekeeper’s duties as I recall.”
“Yes, my lady. Your grandmother has had me learning and assisting the housekeeper at Richmond House for the past four years. If I meet with your approval, I would be more than pleased to work for you.”
“I am thankful you are here.” Amelia glanced over the lists in front of her. “We are removing Mrs. Chapman’s personal items. Once the housekeeper’s apartments are cleared and cleaned, you may move your belongings into them. I am certain we have a few maids who will be happy to aid you in learning the house. Any servants who display an unwillingness to work for you or poor attitude will no longer be employed by this household. Do you understand?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“What is your surname?”
“Baxter, ma’am.”
“Well, Mrs. Baxter, welcome to Audley Place. I give you leave to speak to Cook and make yourself familiar with the house. In the morning, we can discuss particulars, and hopefully, we shall have found the household accounts by that time.”
“Good Lord,” said the new housekeeper in a mutter.
“Indeed, you cannot know how happy I am my grandmother sent you.” She then turned her attention to the other lady, who was at least four or five years younger than Mrs. Baxter. “My grandmother hired you three years ago as I recall.”
“Yes, my lady. I spent the first year as a scullery maid—until she hired the girl who does it now. I have been an upstairs maid ever since. My name is Sara.”
“Very good. I shall leave it up to Mrs. Baxter where you work in this household. Until that is decided, if you would start going through drawers and cupboards and ensuring we have all of the former housekeeper’s belongings packed, I would appreciate it. We are also seeking out any items of value she has stolen.”
Sara’s eyes widened. “Yes, my lady.”
The maid hurried over to a desk and began opening and closing drawers while Amelia sank into the chair and put her head in her hands. This was not how she had thought to spend her day. How long had this woman been pilfering from Anthony, and how much had she cost him over the years? He had been struggling to pay his father’s debts for so long. He had attempted to make them sound trifling, but his strict economy spoke of a significant amount. Had the woman no compassion?
“Amelia?”
Her head shot up at Lizzy’s voice. “I had not expected you to come.”
“You arrived home from your wedding trip, and but a fortnight after, you are forced to release your housekeeper. I thought you might require some assistance. I noticed Gran sent Grace Baxter. She should be excellent. Her housekeeper is so efficient, I am certain she trained Mrs. Baxter with the same methods.”
“That is what I am hoping.”
“Well, after speaking to my housekeeper, I brought you three maids and two footmen.”
“So many?” said Amelia as she stood. “What of your own household?”
“Much like Gran’s house, our servants do not leave. They may decide they wish to work at Pemberley, so they move to Derbyshire, but they do not seek other employment. They have trained and could have taken a higher position in another household but remain instead. Fitzwilliam has always insisted they be paid for their skills and their loyalty, which is what our grandmother does. They do not object to moving to another household as long as they are treated with the same appreciation. Ensure you go over their salaries with Mrs. Baxter on the morrow. She should be familiar with Gran’s household accounts. As for Darcy House, we shall not have a problem. As soon as we received your note, my housekeeper enquired of our servants to see if they had relations who may be interested in working for us. She will, no doubt, have the servants I brought replaced within a few days.”
“I am relieved to hear it, and I thank you.”
Lizzy touched the canisters of tea, coffee, and sugar. “What is this?”
After she recounted her morning, Lizzy’s eyebrows rose. “You would think she would be more compliant. Losing her position was a sure way to be discovered.”
“I am ill-equipped for this. A household is not difficult to run, but I do not know who I can trust, other than a handful of people thanks to you and Gran.”
“Do not worry so. You will manage, and likely with more grace than I would.” Lizzy took the seat next to Amelia as she spoke.
“She stole silver!” Anthony’s countenance was frightening as he entered, his complexion red and his jaw set.
“It appears so,” said Amelia lifting the tray. “Mr. Franks remembers three other pieces that went missing over the years that she may have taken as well. She was intelligent enough not to make it noticeable. If she was taking but one piece and spacing the thefts between pieces that went missing and reappeared, she could have been stealing when your father was master. With only you in the house, little tea was drunk, so she supplemented her income by selling new tea since you provided her hardly any that was used.”
“I never looked at the household accounts.” He shook his head. “I would not know what tea or chocolate cost and how much would be too much for just me. My expenses decreased when Phoebe wed, so I assumed Mrs. Chapman did as I asked.”
“And, instead, she took advantage,” said Lizzy. “You are likely no different than any other bachelor in London. I doubt most think to pore over their housekeeper’s accounts. If they have a mother or sister, then that relation manages their home.”
Amelia took his hand. “She is right. I am certain Mrs. Chapman was adept at deceiving Lady Goderich, who was young and likely learnt from the housekeeper herself. With the exception of the Season, you also spent most of your time at Dereham. Even if you checked Mrs. Chapman’s accounts, you would have needed to scrutinise them for when you were at the estate. She could have waited until you were gone to purchase the tea and such that she sold. I would wager she thought herself entitled to it since you provided meagre amounts for her to profit from.”
“She was paid well,” he said after scrubbing his face with his hands. “I am certain not as well as Darcy House or Richmond House, but they are larger and have more servants to manage.”
“Sir, the constable has arrived.”
“Very good, Franks. Show him into my study. I also wish you to join us.” He took the piece of silver. “Forgive me. Thank you, Mrs. Darcy, for your aid today.”
“Of course. Fitzwilliam and I were pleased we could help.”
With his shoulders rigid, Anthony strode from the room.
“Now,” said Lizzy. “What else can I do?”
Chapter 13
“Why are we doing this?” Amelia asked of Anthony. She nodded to a lady who passed on the arm of her husband. The lady was vaguely familiar, but from where Amelia could only guess. Hyde Park during the fashionable hour was not to her preference. Those of the gentry and peerage promenading for no other reason than to see and be seen was ridiculous. If not for the play, the theatre could be just as irritating. Of course, most did not attend the theatre for the play.
Her grandmother tilted her head so she could speak near Amelia’s ear. “Even though we placed the wedding announcement in the paper, you should be seen with your new husband. The gossip has waned about the night at the marquess’s ball, but you have only been seen at our ball since your nuptials, which adds to the speculation of whether your marriage is a happy one.” Which explained why almost the entire family was present. Lizzy was walking with Fitzwilliam ahead of them, her grandparents were beside her and Anthony, and Nicholas followed with Lord and Lady Goderich. Meanwhile, Jane and Georgiana had requested to remain behind to practice a duet on the pianoforte.
“Smile, dearest,” said Anthony in an amused tone.
“’Tis not fashionable to smile.” Nevertheless, she gave him her best affected grin.
He took her hand from his arm and kissed her knuckles before placing it back near his elbow. “There now. You are lovely.”
Lady Goderich laughed. “Well done, Brother. You have learnt more in these past weeks than my husband learnt in months.”
Nicholas made a noise through his nose. “Yes, little sister, all those teeth are quite attractive. It is no wonder you have not had suitors knocking down our door, begging for your hand.”
“Nicholas,” said her grandmother in a chiding tone.
She glanced over her shoulder at her brother. “My false smile is preferable to your dour countenance of late. What has you so grim? Do you require my assistance in meeting eligible ladies? I do know a few who would be amenable.” Was a certain lady responsible for that frightening visage?
“Never you mind.”
“Perhaps Nicholas is considering the joy a wife would bring,” said Lizzy over her shoulder.
Fitzwilliam’s shoulders shook. “He is a single man of good fortune. Most matchmaking mamas would claim he is in want of a wife. I am certain a vast number, strolling along with their daughters, would be pleased as punch to introduce you.”
“Bite your tongue, Darcy.”
Amelia bit her lip at Nicholas’s irritated growl while Anthony’s sister watched the goings on with her eyebrows raised.
“Lady Greene!” called a lady’s voice as they approached the Serpentine. “We have not seen you out since your marriage. I hope you are well.”
Her back went rigid. Lord, but she could not tolerate Miss Carteret. She and her mother, Lady Dalrymple, considered rank above all and felt their own importance keenly, though not as keenly as their cousin Sir Walter Elliot.
“We are quite well, thank you. We spent a few weeks in Kent at one of Sir Anthony’s properties. The diversion was welcome, and the seaside was lovely.”
Lady Dalrymple, after greeting Amelia’s grandparents, peered down her nose at her. “One does not go to the seaside in March. The weather is not ideal, and anyone of consequence is in London for the Season.”
“We were on our wedding trip, Lady Dalrymple,” said Anthony. “We were content to keep to ourselves, riding our horses across the countryside and taking walks on the beach. The quiet was refreshing.”
The imperious lady sniffed. “I have never heard of such a thing.”
“I fear I wished to keep my lovely bride to myself for a time.” Anthony kissed Amelia’s hand again before the pair. Lady Dalrymple’s eyes flared for but a moment while she looked between the two. Perhaps her grandmother was right. They needed to be seen or all who did not attend the ball would believe them to be indifferent acquaintances sharing a home, not the friends they had been before their marriage.
“Is that Lady Jersey?” asked Miss Carteret of her mother.
“I believe so. I beg your pardon, but we must greet her.”
“Of course.” Grandmamma smiled as the grand lady bustled off with more energy than Amelia had ever noticed in the past. Her grandmother had never cared for Lady Dalrymple either.
As soon as the lady and her daughter were engaged in conversation with Lady Jersey, Fitzwilliam scoffed. “She is friends with my aunt Lady Catherine, and she irritates me in the same manner.”
“I met Lady Catherine de Bourgh once during a call to Lady Fitzwilliam,” said Lady Goderich. “Forgive me, but I was thrilled when my twenty minutes were up, and I could depart. She must have asked me twenty questions on the wealth of Dereham and made several insinuations that I should be thankful Lord Goderich condescended to marry me.”
Lord Goderich kissed the back of his wife’s hand. “Little did the lady understand that I am the one who is thankful.”
Lizzy and her grandparents smiled at the contented couple before they continued down the path. At one time, she and Anthony separated from the group to speak to some friends as did Fitzwilliam and Lizzy at another moment, but for the entire walk, Amelia kept to Anthony’s arm. When he stiffened, she frowned.
“What is it?” She glanced around them until her gaze stopped at the same lady who greeted him before Richmond House the night of their return to town. The same lady who stood outside Richmond House the night of the ball. “That is the third time we have noticed her since our return. Why do you believe that is?”
“I am not sure. I am certain she is still shunned by those of her acquaintance. Since she was friends with my father, I fear she may approach us for money at some point or another. Do not speak to her if she approaches you. Her reputation was in tatters when she disappeared from all polite society.”
