Surrender (41 page)

And I appear to be the lady who

is stuck with the task. As long as we

must live there, we might as well make

the place habitable. And if we are going

to spend money to make it comfortable,

we may as well spend as much as possible

here in the village. These people rely on

stone vale for their incomes."

Nan brightened somewhat at this bit of

logic.
 
I see your point, ma'am."

People came out of the shops and the

small, decrepit taverns to watch as the

stone vale carriage made its way sedately

down the rutted street. Victoria smiled and

waved.

There were one or two tentative waves

in response, but the general lack of

enthusiasm for the new mistress of Stone

vale was rather daunting. Victoria won

dered if it was her, personally, they found

unappealing, or if their attitude was simply

an extension of the local feeling toward

stone vale in general. She could not blame

the villagers for being less than optimistic

about their futures, given the obvious

neglect they had endured from the past

master of the great house.

These poor people, she thought, nibbling

on her lower lip. They had suffered a great

deal. This was a place where money could

accomplish much.

In the middle of the village, Victoria

spotted a tiny dry-goods shop.
 
I think

here would be an excellent place to begin

our shopping."

Nan managed to keep her mouth shut,

although her opinion of the place was

plain.

Victoria was smiling in amusement at

her maid's superior attitude when she

stepped down from the carriage with the

aid of her footman.

The warmth of a bright spring sun

fell on her full force, highlighting the

deep amber yellow shade of her gown

and glinting off her honey-colored hair.

The amber feather in her tiny, yellow

hat bobbed in the small breeze and the

amber pendant she wore around her throat

caught the sunlight and glowed with a life

of its own. Everyone on the street stared

as if momentarily transfixed.

Then a little girl, who had been watching

from behind the safety of her mother's

skirts, suddenly crowed in delight and ran

out into the street, making a beeline for

Victoria.

 
Amber Lady, Amber Lady," the child

shouted merrily as she raced forward on

bare feet.
 
Pretty Amber Lady. You came

back. My granny always said you would.

She said you'd have hair the color of

gold and honey all mixed up and you'd

be wearin" a golden dress."

 
Here now," Nan snapped not unkindly

as she moved to intercept the youngster.

 
We don't want to get mud all over her

ladyship, now, do we? Shoo, child. Go on

back to your ma."

The girl ignored her, darting swiftly

around the obstacle to grab hold of

Victoria's yellow skirts with grubby fingers.

 
Hello," Victoria said with a welcoming

smile.
 
What would your name be?"

 
Lucy
 
awkins," the child said proudly,

looking up at her with eyes full of wonder.

 
And that's my ma. And over there's my

big sis."

The woman Lucy had pointed out as her

mother was already hurrying forward with

a horrified grimace on her worn-looking

face. She could not have been more than

five years older than Victoria, but she

appeared to be at least twenty years her

senior.

 
I'm so sorry, mum. She's just a child.

She didn't mean nothin". Don't know her

manners around her betters. She ain't seen

that many of
 
em. Betters, I mean."

 
It is quite all right. She's done no

harm."

 
She ain't?" The woman's face held an

expression of honest bewilderment.
 
She

dirtied your dress, mum," she pointed

out in case Victoria had failed to notice

the muddy fingerprints on the fine amber

muslin.

Victoria did not bother to glance down at

the stains.
 
I appreciate her warm welcome.

Lucy is the first person from the village

whom I have had a chance to meet, except

for our housekeeper, misses Sneath. Speaking

of which, is there any chance your older

daughter or one of her friends might be

interested in a job in the kitchens? We are

in desperate need of staff. I cannot imagine

how stone vale has managed to function at

all with so few people working there."

 
A job?" The woman's face went blank

in open astonishment.
 
A real job at the

big house, yer ladyship? Why, we'd be ever

so grateful. My husband ain't worked in

ages and neither
 
as a lot o" other men

around here."

 
It is Lord stone vale and myself who will

be grateful, I assure you." Victoria glanced

around the ring of curious faces that was

starting to gather near the carriage.
 
In

fact, we shall be needing a number

of people. If anyone is interested in

working in the gardens or the stables

or the kitchens, please present yourselves

tomorrow morning. You shall be taken on

immediately. Now, if you will excuse me,

I thought I would do a little shopping in

your charming village."

When Victoria started forward with Nan

at her heels, the crowd parted magically.

She could still hear Lucy's squeals about

the Amber Lady as she stepped over the

threshold of the small shop.

Two hours later Victoria sailed into

stone vale's main hall.
 
Do you by any

chance know the whereabouts of his

lordship, Griggs? I must see him at

once."

 
I believe he is in the library with Mister

Satherwaite, madam. His lordship expressly

requested that he not be disturbed while he

was in conference with his new steward."

 
I am certain he will make an exception

in my case and I am particularly delighted

to catch him with Satherwaite. Very

convenient." Victoria smiled and started

briskly for the closed door of the library,

stripping off one of her fine kid gloves as

she went forward.

Griggs sprang for the door.
 
Forgive

me, madam, but his lordship was most

particular about his request."

 
Don't fret, Griggs. I shall deal with

him."

 
Begging your pardon, madam, but I

have been privileged to be in his lordship's

employ for several months now and I pride

myself on having learned his preferences. I

can assure you he has a strong preference

for being obeyed."

Victoria
 
smiled
 
grimly.
   
Believe
 
me,
 
I

understand better than most that stone vale

has a few difficult quirks in his nature. Be

so good as to open the door, Griggs. Rest

assured I shall take full responsibility for

any mayhem which may ensue."

Looking doubtful, but unwilling to

contradict his mistress, Griggs opened

the door with an expression of deep

foreboding.

 
Thank you, Griggs." Victoria peeled off

her second glove as she went into the

room. She saw Lucas glance up, scowling.

But the scowl changed to an expression of

surprise as he saw who it was who had

interrupted him.

 
Good afternoon, madam." Lucas rose

politely to his feet.
 
I thought you had

gone into the village."

 
I did. Now I am returned, as you can

plainly see. How fortunate to find you

together with your steward." She smiled at

Mister Satherwaite, an earnest-looking young

man seated on the other side of stone vale's

desk. The steward dropped the journal he

had been holding and sprang to his feet,

bowing deeply.

 
Your servant, your ladyship."

Lucas eyed Victoria somewhat cautiously.
 

How can I be of service, my

dear?"

 
I just wanted to apprise you of a few

minor details. I have let it be known

in the village that we will be taking on

staff. Those who are interested, which I

gather will be a sizable number, have

been instructed to present themselves in

the morning. Mister Satherwaite can handle

them, I am certain. I will be consulting

with Griggs and misses Sneath as to the

exact number of people we shall require

in the house proper. Since I am certain

you are busy enough with the tenants'

problems, I shall also attend to the staffing

of the gardens."

 
I see," Lucas said.

 
In addition, I should mention that I

have made a number of purchases in the

village. The tradesmen will be delivering

most of them tomorrow morning. Please

arrange to have their bills paid at once. It

is quite obvious they cannot afford to wait

upon our convenience, as is customary."

 
Anything else, madam?" Lucas asked

dryly.

 
Yes, I met the vicar's wife, misses Worth,

while I was in the village and have invited

her and her husband to tea tomorrow

afternoon. We will be discussing the various

charity needs of the village. Kindly arrange

your schedule so that you may join us."

Lucas inclined his head in grave acknowledgment

of the command.
 
I will consult

my schedule to see if I am free. Will that

be all?"

Not quite. We really must do something

about that terrible road into the village.

Most uncomfortable."

Lucas nodded.
 
I shall put it on my list

of items needing repair."

 
Do that, my lord. I think that will

be all for now." Victoria smiled warmly

again at Mister Satherwaite, who was looking

dumbfounded, turned on her heel, and