Not Quite Darcy Read Online Free PDF

that Mr. Brown gave her a startled glance. His blue eyes widened behind his spectacles before he dropped his gaze back to the carpet.
    â€œMr. Lancaster proclaims you to be most diligent. And I assure you, since I prefer to tend to Mother myself, your primary duties will be those of a maid.”
    Maid? Governess would have been disappointing. Nurse would have been worse, if only because she was clueless about modern medical stuff, let alone anything Victorian. But a maid? It was like Lancaster and York were making her the butt of a cosmic version of Punk’d . Those bastards. And York especially had seemed so nice.
    â€œBessie?” Mr. Brown gave her a questioning look, and it was only then that Eliza realized her mouth was gaping open like a carp at feeding time. She snapped her jaw closed and nodded at him,
    â€œIdeally, you could have trained under your predecessor for a few weeks, but the situation being what it is, I suppose we’ll have to muddle through. You may confer with me regarding any medical questions, certainly. And with Mrs. McLaughlin or Dora regarding any of your maid duties.”
    She offered him a weak smile. Under the circumstances, it was the best she could do.
    â€œYou’re to have Fanny’s old room. Mrs. MacLaughlin has moved her things out. Perhaps it’s best to spend today acquainting yourself with the running of the household. Tomorrow, I shall introduce you to Mother.”
    Eliza nodded, too numb for words.
    â€œAnd this is something of an awkward situation, but I must ask for an indulgence,” he said. “I’d like to keep my mother sheltered from the circumstances surrounding Fanny’s departure. Mother is to avoid undue stress. Let us simply say that Fanny left our employ and leave it at that. I’m sure you understand.”
    Eliza understood exactly nothing, but she nodded her head just the same. Keeping Fanny’s details to herself would be no problem at all, since she didn’t have the slightest idea herself. In fact, shutting up about Fanny was the one task in this whole messy situation that she felt confident she could do well.
    As if on cue, two sharp raps sounded at the door and Mrs. MacLaughlin reentered.
    â€œWould you be wanting more tea, sir?”
    â€œOh, no thank you. I believe we’re finished here.”
    He turned toward Eliza and gave her the hint of a correctly formal smile. It did not reach his eyes. “Welcome to the household, Bessie. I’ll let Mrs. MacLaughlin settle you in now.”
    â€œOkay,” Eliza mumbled, earning a pair of startled glances from William and Mrs. MacLaughlin.
    Before she managed to stuff her foot farther down her throat, she spun around and scurried toward the door where the housekeeper waited.
    Mrs. MacLaughlin closed the door behind them and gave Eliza an apprising glare. “I wanted to interview you myself, you know. Most unusual, having the master himself see to you. He’s very particular about his mother, you understand. Wants to assure himself she’ll be getting the best care.”
    Eliza nodded noncommittally.
    â€œSo you go on upstairs. Dora will be finishing up the bedchambers. You should assist her.”
    â€œDora?” Eliza asked.
    â€œOur housemaid. She’s waiting for you upstairs.”
    Unsure if she should curtsy, nod or salute the stern woman, Eliza opted for none of the above and began climbing the stairs.
    â€œNot these stairs!” Mrs. MacLaughlin’s tone was affronted. “The rear ones.” She shook her head in disgust. “I never—”
    With a sigh, Eliza slipped down the hallway and navigated her way toward the back of the house. She creaked up the narrow stairway, which emptied into a wide hall covered in gold brocade wallpaper. The dark wooden floorboards gleamed and she stepped carefully. Falling on her ass due to the freshly polished wood would be the cherry on the cake of her day.
    After passing several