Two Tales One Heart by Cybil Maynard

Author:Cybil Maynard [Maynard, Cybil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: D.G. Bill Publishing
Published: 2018-01-31T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

I had been pleased with the choices made by Mrs. Tomlinson. My experiences with the hiring of staff were disastrous, as evidenced by the incident at Nice. The two new maids were brought from London, as was the cook and her assistant. The footman was from Leeds, in the north, and his heavy Yorkshire accent was an amusement for most of us. He was certainly pleasant, and not green at his position by any means. I had once again insisted that no new staff be hired from anywhere in the area.

Olivia was finally relieved of her household duties, and was free to take on her new role as my personal assistant. Although she was perfectly content with remaining in the maids’ quarters, directly attached to my rooms, I insisted that she take my old rooms on the east wing of the house. Even though this placed her a good distance away, we essentially had the upstairs to ourselves. It had been made clear, that no cleaning or service was to be performed, until both of us were down. Of course, the bell system was upgraded as well, seeing as the staff was now available to accommodate it.

One thing I did not enjoy, were the formalities that were brought with the increased staff. Meals were more formal now, with both footmen in attendance. Anthony was well into his training, and Evan was pleased that the new footman, Burton, would require none. I thought that perhaps Olivia would need to train the two new maidservants, but thankfully, that task was taken on by Mrs. Tomlinson. There was also the decorum that was expected of me, and to a lesser extent Olivia, about the house. Appropriate dress was expected at all times, and although it was a bit tedious, it was all part of the station I held. Olivia seemed to enjoy the new way, and was enjoying the ensemble I had recently purchased for her from London. All were lovely, and she and her elegant, form brought them to life.

Each evening, Olivia would nestle into bed with me, and there she would stay for the balance of the night. Although the lovemaking was sedate, in comparison to Anna’s onslaught of adventurous capers, I was immensely happy. I loved how her luscious tresses would envelop us both by morning, and was happy to brush them out for her each day. She no longer had to concern herself with putting it up, her days in a livery, over.

One thing that did concern me, was her occasional melancholia. Was she becoming bored with me? Was I too sedate, as the gentle lover? I asked her one morning as we sat together at her dressing table.

“I’m not sad, Beth, not really. I’m just feeling…well, a bit confined on this island.” It had never occurred to me that she was suffering from isolation. I knew the feeling all too well.

“Perhaps we should make for town? You could visit your father, and we could take in some theatre in the evenings.

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