Chapter 18
Marianne gently shook Andrea. “Wake up, little one. We’re almost there. We need to straighten your dress and get you ready.”
“No need to fuss, Marianne. The entire staff will fall in love with her as soon as they see her. It’s been years since there’s been a child at the manor so they’ll be delighted about the whole affair.” Drew leaned forward and looked out the carriage window.
Marianne straightened Andrea’s printed cotton dress, the deep blue of the fabric the color of her eyes, so like her father’s. She then untied and retied the bow on her daughter’s bonnet. “It never hurts to make a good impression. Every child should learn that early on. I know I did.”
The carriage made a turn and the rutted road became a crunchy, gravel driveway. Sitting their daughter back on her lap, Marianne tried to peek out the carriage windows to see the house. Instead, she only saw verdant green hills warm from the spring sun. Taking a deep breath her head filled with the freshness of country air. In the distance, she saw some horses grazing and, in another field, some cows.
She had never been in the country before. It looked like so many of the lush, pastoral paintings her parents had hung in their home. She wondered why they had never made a trip in her younger years.
Drew broke her reverie.
“The house is in front of us, Marianne. You’ll see it soon enough when we pull up.”
Moments later the carriage made another turn and came to a stop. The equipage shifted as John Coachman jumped from his seat, then opened the door and dropped the steps.
Drew stepped out and turned back to Andrea.
“Uppy, uppy, Papa.” The little girl reached up to him.
“Come, my little poppet.” Swinging her onto his hip, Drew reached back to offer his free hand to his wife.
Marianne took the proffered hand and stepped down to terra firma only to look up and see a household of servants lined up on the front granite stairs. As one, they all bowed or curtsied as appropriate.
Her gasp must have been more audible then she expected as Drew squeezed her hand and whispered, “I sent word ahead we’d be arriving today. Don’t worry. They’ll love you, too.”
She whispered back, “There are so many of them. I never imagined. We never had so many servants at home.”
Drew set Andrea on her feet, smoothed down her dress, and took her small hand in his. “It takes a horde of people to efficiently run an estate this large. Especially if they are to keep up with the maintenance. You’ll see as we go over everything while we’re here.” Tugging gently on Marianne’s hand, Drew led them both toward an older gentleman, white-haired, slightly stooped, with sharp, hazel eyes dancing with life. As he stepped forward and bowed once again, Marianne knew he could only be the butler, or, rather, in a household this size, the majordomo. Seconds later, Drew confirmed her assumption.
“Lady Reignsfield, this is the majordomo of Saxton Park, Wellingford. I doubt there is anything that has happened on these lands in the last forty years that he doesn’t know about.”
Beside them, Andrea made a little curtsy and smiled up at the older gentleman.
“And who’s this pretty miss?” Wellingford asked.
“Andrea. We got a kitty at home.” Andrea gave him a coy smile.
“Well, Lady Andrea, we’ll have to take you out to the stables later so you can see Fluffy and her new litter. There are four of them. Maybe Mama and Papa will let you have one for a pet. You’ll have to ask them.”
Andrea looked up wide-eyed to each of her parents in turn. “May I, Mama? Could I, Papa?”
Drew looked down with a warm smile. “We’ll discuss it later. Right now, it’s time to meet everyone else and go inside.”
Marianne smiled and nodded to acknowledge the butler’s kindness.
He stepped back only to be replaced by a woman of indeterminate years who made a respectful curtsy. “Your ladyship.”
“Our indefatigable housekeeper, Mrs. Stokes. She has been with us for the last twenty-five years.” Drew smiled warmly at her.
As they made their way up the stairs each servant presented himself or herself. Marianne nodded in acknowledgement while Andrea gave each a curtsy, leaving each of the staff smiling and enchanted.
As they came to the door, Wellingford, who had preceded them up the steps, opened it wide. Marianne stepped into the foyer and sighed. “I must say, my lord, I am glad that is over. It will take me an age to remember all their names.”
Drew bent to help Andrea with her bonnet. Their daughter struggled with the tangled ribbons. “Well, there are quite a few others who you’ll meet sometime later.”
“There’s more?” Marianne gasped as she tugged at the ribbons of her own chapeau.
“Of course. There are the stable hands, miscellaneous maids, gardeners. You know, the usual people who tend to the needs of the inhabitants, house, and grounds. You’ll get to know all of them over time.”
“Thank goodness I brought my own maid and Andrea’s nursemaid. It will be nice to see their familiar faces on a regular basis.”
Drew chucked her under the chin. “It won’t be that difficult. You’ll see.”
As Wellingford stood at the ready, Marianne stripped off her jacket, hat, and gloves and handed them over. After helping Andrea with her coat and relieving Drew of the child’s bonnet, she finally turned to survey the interior of the manor.
“My goodness, Drew, this is huge.” Looking down the marble-floored hall, she could see doors open along each side and a large marble staircase off to their left. Pictures, chandeliers, rugs, and other accoutrements were appropriately located in the space. She turned to see Wellingford make a bow and leave with their recently divested outer clothing.
“There is much to see.” Drew reached out for her hand, then his daughter’s. “But I think we should all take a rest for now. I can give you the grand tour later. Come with me.”
She and Andrea followed him up the stairs toward their rooms.
Outside the master bedchamber, Jane met them coming from the nursery. The nursemaid gave her usual efficient curtsy. "May I take Lady Andrea to the nursery? I would expect she’d be ready for a nap.”
“Please do, Jane. We’ll come up for her in a bit.”
“But, Mama.” Andrea turned to her pouting, her lower lip stuck out in hurt and defiance. “We haven’t seen kitties.” Andrea drew back as Jane reached for her hand.
Marianne stooped low to be eyelevel with her daughter. “Don’t worry, my little miss, we shall see them later. Papa and I are tired and need to take a rest. And, we thought you might like to inspect your new rooms and make sure they are up to your high standards of approval. We will see Fluffy and the kittens later. I promise to discuss your having one with Papa. Go now with Jane so we can all have a rest. You were the only one who slept yesterday and today on the long ride from London.” She kissed her daughter on each cheek and stood.
“Yes, Mama. But I won’t forget.” Andrea turned toward Jane.
“I would think not.” Marianne smiled down at her, the pout now replaced by the seriousness of the child’s expectations.
Jane took Andrea’s hand and led her toward the upper stairs as Andrea enthusiastically looked up at her. “Miss Jane, kittens are here, too. I’ll see them later. I want one. Mama and Papa think about.”
“That’s wonderful, my sweet. I’m sure they’ll discuss it and let you know.” The nanny looked back over her shoulder and smiled, then trundled the child up the stairs.
Marianne turned to Drew. “I doubt we’ll be able to deny her. She so loves her kitten at home. Would it be a problem in such a large house?”
Drew reached around her to open the door. “I’m sure there’s a way. She’d probably not let this cat out of her sight, either, so I doubt it would get lost despite the size of the manor. For now, here’s your room so you can get some rest before dinner as well.”