An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(20)

“When did she pass?”

Rodmell took a step back. “At seventeen. Five years ago, it would be now.”

“So very young,” Theodora whispered. “Was she a favorite?”

“Oh yes. The master and Lady Mary were very close. If there is nothing else, I must return to my duties?” Rodmell asked, appearing ready to flee.

She smiled in understanding. “If you could have someone start on this room today, I would be grateful. I’ll move my work down to the dining room until the chamber is ready for use again.”

Rodmell frowned deeply. “You’ll have to speak to Lord Maitland about that. He prefers to keep his correspondence to the upper levels of the house.”

That struck her as an odd thing to do, but a great many things about Lord Maitland jarred with what she had expected of him. Yet she did need a table to work upon. The only other one large enough to hold all of Lord Maitland’s papers was in the dining room downstairs.

“Well, I could always work on the staircase while I wait,” Theodora mused, but then laughed. “Honestly, Lord Maitland is still out and has left behind no word when he will return from Mayfair, so might we settle on a compromise. He employed me to work, and I cannot in these conditions. I would rather not explain to him that anyone might have been lax in their duties since Layton’s departure. Do you not agree it is unnecessary to bother so great a man with every small detail of how his home is maintained?”

Rodmell eyed her warily, clearly unsure of her reasons for asking. “I do agree,” he said slowly.

“Good.” Theodora dusted off her hands again. “We are in agreement. He need never know about this discussion, or any others we might have in the future on similar topics.”

She began to collect her papers so she might move to another room to work.

However, Rodmell lingered, and when she looked his way again, he was scrutinizing her with a small frown.

Theodora wanted him gone. “Is there something else?”

“I wanted to say how very sorry we all are for your loss,” Rodmell said, his tone full of compassion once more. “Mr. Dalton was a fine man. A fair man. Everyone at Maitland House knew him by reputation to be a sensible and just employer. The staff will not pay any heed to unfair gossip we might hear.”

“Thank you,” her eyes misted with tears, and she brushed them aside quickly and firmed her jaw. The last thing she’d expected to affect her was the sympathy of a servant over the rumors of her father’s demise. But it meant a lot to her to have her father’s character acknowledged by Lord Maitland’s servants. It struck her as both honest and painful. Her father had risen from very humble beginnings and worked hard to achieve much in his short life.

However, Theodora was only just hanging on to her composure right now. Conversations of this nature would only upset her. “If you don’t mind, I prefer not to speak of the matter again.”

“As you wish, Miss Dalton. Lord Maitland is the same way about his sister.” The man stood to attention, his sympathy hidden again behind a professional bearing. “Perhaps you would like to tell me what you do expect. Lord Maitland has never employed a female secretary before.”

Theodora drew in a deep breath, grateful for a practical question she could answer without too much thought. “I rise early, prefer hot chocolate and toast served to me in the morning room before I begin work. I like tea and a few biscuits or a single pastry at eleven. Luncheon is at three o’clock—something simple is preferred. Dinner is either on a tray here at my desk at seven or with my mother, if she is to eat in the dining room. I tend to work very late into the evening and will not ask for anything from the kitchens after eight o’clock. I prefer not to be disturbed when I work late at night.”

“My God, that is a frightening schedule you plan to keep,” Maitland remarked as he strode in and tossed his hat across the room. It landed exactly on top of a large bust carved out of marble, and then slid a little to the side until it stopped at a jaunty angle. Maitland came close, resting one hand on the back of her chair as he studied her. The pose showed off his tremendously elegant clothes to perfection. He frowned. “Do you ever allow yourself time to look out the window?”

“Of course.” She took her seat and drew a blank sheet of paper from a drawer, pushing the feeling of excitement Lord Maitland’s return stirred in her body. There was an open warmth about him, not just his body heat she discovered, that made her exceedingly aware of him. She wanted him to like her, and it had very little to do with her abilities as a secretary. “Four times a day at the very least. It is very good exercise for the eyes, and I recommend it to you. I was just about to remove myself to the dining room and enjoy the view from there, so I would not upset the household routine.”

She glanced up when he remained silent. “My lord?”

“Dalton, what are you doing here?”

“Working, of course.”

Lord Maitland stared at her for a long moment then shook his head. Had he changed his mind about her working for him?

“If there is nothing else?” Rodmell asked diplomatically.

“Nothing for me, thank you, Mr. Rodmell,” she said quickly to the man, anxious to be alone with Maitland and prove herself capable of her new duties.

“You may go, Rodmell,” Maitland agreed, still looming over her.