A Mistress for Stansted Hall Read Online Free PDF Page A

wet apron. ‘I don't suppose there is any out here that I could replace it with? I had not wished to upset him, I wish to stay here and make a home for myself and my children. I have not made a good impression this morning.’
    Jethro touched his forelock. ‘You bide there, madam, I'll fetch you a flagon. The master don't deserve it, but I'd not want you to suffer because of his bad temper.’
    ‘I've got a dozen eggs waiting, missus, you don't need to scramble about looking. From now on me brother and I will keep you supplied with what you need.’
    ‘I thank you. Fred, do you and your brother live at Stansted Manor?’
    ‘That we do. Along with the outside men, we're right and tight above the stables. None of us ain't been paid since last year, but we have good pickings and live like kings. About time the master thought about his tenants, they ain't having too good a time of it.’
    Emma was under the distinct impression that these old men, and the butler, thought she had come to rehabilitate Mr Bucknall. That was quite ridiculous, why should he take any more notice of her then he did of his other employees?
    Mr Foster, looking more sprightly than he had yesterday, refused to let Jethro and Fred cross the threshold. ‘Not in here, not in your boots. Give me the flagon, Jethro Smith. Wait there, Fred, I shall take your items in a moment.’
    ‘It's all right for them to come in, Mr Foster, I'm not scrubbed the floor yet.’
    All three elderly gentleman stared at her as if she was a ninny hammer. The butler recovered first. ‘I should think not, Mrs Reed. It's not your job to do that. You are the housekeeper, a position of authority and respect. It would be quite wrong for you to scrub floors.’
    Smiling at her three protectors she shook her head. ‘It has to be done, Mr Foster, and as I am the only person here, it falls to me to do it.’ The idea of him attempting to do this task did not bear thinking of. It was unlikely he would survive the experience.
    ‘In which case, Mrs Reed, we must rectify that matter. Servants must be obtained from the village immediately. Under your direction this establishment will soon recover its former respectability.’
    ‘I have funds that Mr Bucknall gave me for that very purpose.’ She disliked having to deceive on this point, but she had no intention of letting these three discover the money had been to encourage her to leave at once. ‘I was intending to send the groom into the village this morning with a list for the local emporium.’
    Jethro clicked his tongue. ‘No point in asking him, he answers only to the master. I can harness the pony cart, Fred can drive you in to make the purchases yourself.’
    ‘I cannot leave my children unattended, especially Jack, he's not yet six years of age, has not the sense to keep out of danger without supervision.’ She shrugged. ‘His sister is an excellent nursemaid, but he does not always mind her.’
    Mr Foster exchanged glances with the other two. ‘We shall supervise the young lady and gentleman, Mrs Reed. There's a piano in the drawing room that Miss Mary can play, and Master Jack can help with the animals. They'll be perfectly safe in your absence.’
    She had no option but to agree. The breakfast tray returned from the study with everything eaten, and the children were perfectly happy for her to absent herself for a few hours.
    ‘If Mr Foster is certain I am allowed to play the piano, then my morning will be well spent, Mama.’ Mary looked sternly at her little brother who was wriggling on his seat in excitement. ‘You had better be on your best behaviour, Jack. If you get into trouble Mama might well lose her position and we will all have to leave here.’
    ‘I'm a good boy, aren't I, Mama? Jethro says I can milk a cow and collect the eggs. He's going to kill a chicken for dinner. I'm going to help him do that as well.’
    Emma shuddered but refrained from comment. Mary was not so tactful. ‘How horrible; I think you