“Ah, Lady Heber, how lovely to see you.”

“Good afternoon, Duke,” Agnes replied, walking confidently into his study. Esther remained at the door as Agnes had instructed, keeping her head bowed and not even glancing at the Duke.

Amos replied, kissing Lady Heber’s hand. “You must not wait so long in between your visits.”

"Indeed," Agnes laughed, sitting down in a comfortable chair. "You and Bernard have certainly had a long-standing friendship."

Agnes smiled at him fondly, recalling how, as a boy, he had run around their estate in the country. The Duke’s estate bordered their own, so Bernard and Amos had spent much of their childhood together. They had even gone to Eton at around the same time, and their friendship had become kinship. They were like brothers.

“I am grateful to you for finding me a replacement so quickly,” Amos continued, not even glancing at Esther. “The house has been in turmoil since yesterday morning.”

“I’m sure,” Agnes agreed, hoping that Esther would be able to take a firm hand over proceedings. “Why did you have to let her go? That’s been two in the last six weeks, has it not?”

Amos looked a little uncomfortable. “I admit that both were a little of my own doing. I have, as you know, something of a reputation.” He lowered his voice so that Esther could no longer hear a single word of what he said.

“Your Grace!” Agnes gasped, trying not to throw a worried glance in Esther’s direction. “You didn’t!”

“Of course not, of course not!” Amos replied, hastily. “However, it appears that they were given the distinct impression that I might be interested in them, in that sense.”

“Well, I can assure you that this one will certainly not be seeking such a thing,” Agnes said, firmly, thinking of Esther’s high moral character. “She is a good woman, well-trained, and able to run your household to perfection.”

“I am glad to hear it,” Amos said, relieved. “Let us meet her!”

“Ahem…” Agnes coughed, beckoning Esther over. “This is the Duke of Hawdon. Your Grace, this is Mrs. Mary Edwards."

Agnes and Esther chose the name, Mary Edwards, using Esther's middle name and her mother's maiden name. The staff and the Duke would refer to her as Mrs. Edwards, even though she was unmarried. It was the same for every housekeeper.

“Mrs. Edwards, is it?” Amos asked, looking her up and down. “Welcome. I am sure that if Lady Heber has recommended you, then you must be both competent and efficient.”

Amos did not smile, wishing that he had not felt a sudden attraction towards her. He always had a penchant for blonde hair, even though the woman had hers tied back into a neat bun. Her green eyes were intense, looking directly into his before suddenly dropping to the floor, as a slight blush tinged her cheek.

“You will be able to run my household well and keep my staff in check?” he asked.

“Yes, Your Grace,” Esther replied, remembering that she was now a servant and should never look the master directly in the eye. It had been her first mistake and one she would struggle not to repeat.

Amos fought against himself. He needed a new housekeeper, but he had been hoping for a plain, and perhaps slightly corpulent, housekeeper. He was not prepared for this blonde-haired young woman, whose curves were not altogether hidden within the folds of her dress. He bit back a sigh of frustration. He needed someone to run the household with competency. Agnes would only recommend someone who she believed could do a good job.

“Very well,” Amos said, his hazel eyes serious. “I shall give you the keys at once, and you will have the remainder of the day to make yourself accustomed to the house and your duties. Make sure to introduce yourself to the rest of the staff, and remember that they will all be under your authority. I shall take any concerns you have to be of the utmost severity.” He coughed, trying to think of a way to be both frank and direct. "What you may not know, Mrs. Edwards is that I have somewhat of a reputation in society."

Esther did not move but raised her eyebrows a little in surprise. What sort of man was he?

“I would like you to make it abundantly clear to the maids—from the kitchen maids to the chamber maids—that I am not looking for a physical liaison with any of them. That includes you.”

“Your Grace!” Agnes said, startled. “This woman would never even consider—”

“Forgive me, Lady Heber,” Amos said, interrupting her. “I need to be unambiguous which is why I am speaking so openly.” He turned back to his new housekeeper. “Have I made myself clear?”

"I understand, Your Grace," Esther replied, her voice soft. She felt her cheeks heating and wished she could hide her embarrassment from him. The man was handsome enough, but she would never force herself on a man. "I will make sure the maids are aware of this also," she continued, her voice becoming a little firmer. "I am sure none of them wish to be turned out without a reference."

Forgetting her role, she looked him in the eye once more, her mouth set in a firm line. What kind of Duke allowed himself to get tangled up with not one, but two housekeepers? She assumed that was why he was now short of a housekeeper, having not heard the Duke's previous conversation with Agnes. Her measure of him fell quite short. She would do her job, take on her role, and hide from her father until the threat of marriage to Lord Thompson had passed. But she would not go near this man for anything other than her duties. He could be quite sure that she would not be anything like his previous housekeepers.

“Thank you,” Amos murmured, quite taken with the intensity of her gaze. Normally he would have been ruffled by a servant looking at him so directly, but on this occasion, he felt nothing but a sudden interest. She was clearly measuring him up, and by the look of distaste on her face, she had found him wanting. Mentally shrugging, he came around from behind his desk and handed her a set of keys.

"Here you are," he said, almost grandly. "You will find the back staircase along the corridor and to your left. I shall look forward to my household being back in order once more. I have written out simple instructions for you that you will find in your room. If you have any questions, please ask the butler or me."

"Thank you, Your Grace," Esther replied, turning to leave the room.

She wished she could hug her godmother goodbye, but knew she could not. She contented herself with a small smile, directed at Agnes, who returned it with one of her own. She knew Agnes wished her well, and it would not be long before she saw her again; she was sure of it. Making her way to the back stairs, Esther took a deep breath. From now on, she must be Mrs. Edwards, housekeeper to the Duke of Hawdon.