The Marquess's Christmas Runaway by Josie Bonham

Author:Josie Bonham [Bonham, Josie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pitcheroak Press
Published: 2020-12-06T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Georgie watched Max’s retreating back. He was every girl’s dream and the perfect lover, so kind and generous. Would he always be so? She was in love with him already. How would she bear it if he lost interest in her?

Martha patted the last curl into place and led her to the looking glass. “You look lovely, my lady.”

Georgie laughed. “Largely thanks to your ministrations. I hope you will accept the position of my maid permanently.”

Martha clasped her hands together. Her eyes shone. “That’s the best Christmas present anyone could give me. Ma will be so pleased. It’s one less mouth to feed.”

She did a little jig around the room. “Thank you so much. It serves old Ma Powell right. She said I would never amount to anything, the nasty....”

“Martha that’s enough, you shouldn’t talk like that about the upper servants to me.”

Martha stuck out her chin. “I’m sorry but she’s no friend of yours, my lady.”

She didn’t sound sorry and seemed poised to say more but Georgie resisted the temptation to let her. For now, she must find a way to work with Mrs Powell.

“Thank you, Martha. I’m going down to consult with Mrs Powell about the evening celebrations. You may take the rest of the evening off.”

“You haven’t changed your mind about me, have you?” Martha twisted a hand in her apron.

“Of course not. You’re very young but it’s time you learned to be careful what you say, that’s all.” Georgie smiled at her. “Where else would I find a maid as good with hair as you? Off you go now.”

“Thank you, my lady.” Martha bobbed a curtsey and ran out.

Georgie sighed. It was time to get it over with. Then she could relax. She strode down the stairs and found Barton in the hallway.

“Do you know where Mrs Powell is, Barton?”

“I believe she is in the dining room supervising the maids, my lady.”

“Thank you.”

Georgie strolled into the dining room and hoped she looked more confident than she felt. Mrs Powell, lips pursed, was standing over a maid who was polishing a sideboard.

“Is that the best you can do?” She spoke sharply. “I can see smudges all over it. Put some effort into it, girl.”

Georgie frowned. There was nothing wrong with the girl’s work. No wonder Martha hated Mrs Powell. She definitely had to go as soon as it could be arranged without comment.

“Ah, Mrs Powell. Do you have everything you need for this evening?”

Mrs Powell jumped and swung around to face her. “I didn’t see you there, my lady. We’ll soon have everything ready.” She glanced up at Georgie from the corner of her eyes. “Lady Overton agreed the menu with Cook earlier.”

Georgie’s eyes narrowed. “Thank you, Mrs Powell. It seems everything is under control.”

“I’ll get on then.” Mrs Powell bobbed the sketchiest of curtseys and walked out.

Georgie thanked the maid for her hard work and made her way to the drawing room. Eliza was sitting close to the fire with her leg propped up on a footstool.

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