Forever My Love(23)
"Yes, but that's men for you, Mira," the cook said. "After a week of good food, spirits, and fine hunting, each one starts to feel like twice the man he was when he got here. But I'll agree with Lizzie, this is a randier lot than usual."
"Lizzie," Mira inquired a little too casually, "do you remember which man in particular it was who pinched you this morning?"
"Lor", why d'you ask that, Mira?" The housemaid stuffed half a buttered scone into her mouth and chewed appreciatively.
"Well, just… so that I will know which ones to avoid," Mira said. "Was one of the men who… made advances to you… young and… well, large and rather good-looking? Maybe with dark hair?"
"Lor', no… would I complain about that! No… just the old goats as soft and white as snow, and old enow to be me father."
"Mira," Mrs. Comfit inquired gently, "who in particular are you thinking of?"
"Oh…" Mira flushed crimson and took a sip of freshly steeped tea, which nearly burned the roof of her mouth. "Well, one can't help but notice the Duke of Hamilton… Lord Falkner… he's got a roving eye if I've ever seen one. I thought it might be him. You watch out for him, Lizzie, and you too, Tessie! He is not a very safe kind of man to be around, if you know what I—"
"Goo, if you want 'enr fer yourself, just say so," Lizzie said generously, reaching for another scone.
"No, that's not what I mean at all!"
"You've mentioned him many times before, Mira," Mrs. Comfit remarked with a thoughtful smile.
"No, I haven't!" Mira denied the accusation, setting down her teacup and regarding them all indignantly. "I haven't…" Her voice became smaller as she looked at the three placid countenances on the other side of the table. "… have I?"
"You 'ave," Lizzie said flatly, and immediately Tessie chimed in, "Mira's gone sweet on 'im, Mira's got a eye for the Duke—"
"You just close your mouth!" Mira snapped, her eyes gleaming with sudden anger. "I couldn't care less about the conceited wretch! Why don't you both stick your noses in someone else's affairs and leave me alone?" She stopped and clapped a hand to her mouth as she stared at the two startled housemaids. "Oh, I'msorry… what a temper I'm developing. Please forget what I just said." She pressed her fingertips on her temples and closed her eyes. "It's this bloody headache—"
"Girls," Mrs. Comfit said calmly, "it's time for you to enamel the floors for the dancing this evening. Run along while I have a chat with Mira."
Grabbing the last of the scones and stuffing them into their pockets, Lizzie and Tessie threw Mira forgiving glances and flew out of the room with giggles and whispers.
"Now," Mrs. Comfit said, "Mira, I think you need a talk. I know you usually go to Mrs. Daniel when you need to talk, but she's too busy and I'm near as good at " at
"There's no need for a talk," Mira said, dropping her head wearily into the crook of her arms. Her voice was muffled as she continued. "You'd think the very worst of me if I told you."
Mrs. Comfit chuckled warmly. "I know it has somethin' to do with Lord Falkner, and it isn't a surprise that you have an eye for a handsome man, not with you being twenty… you're not the girl you were two years ago, Mira—and a woman needs a man, much trouble as they are. Have you gone to his bed? Is that it?"
Made uncomfortable by the cook's frankness, Mira nearly exploded with defensiveness. "How can you even suggest that? How can you ask that, knowing that I'm Lord Sackville's—"
"Aaaaa…" Mrs. Comfit drew out the vowel slowly, her expression both wry and chiding. "You should know by now, Mira, the servants are worse than a family—we know more, we're smarter. Do you think that Percy doesn't know what's gone on for the past year or so? Do you think Mrs. Daniel doesn't? Do you think / don't know? Be honest for once, luv, and stop playing your game for a minute.""What game?" she asked, desperately trying to keep the truth from her face.
"Mira, do you think we've been fooled by Sackville's jaunts up to your room? He's a dear man, but he's a man that's got his problems, and there's no hiding those kinds of problems. And I guess the agreement between the two of you was supposed to be kept secret… but it's plain that you and he are only playacting your affair."
"What makes you think that?"
"The sheets, for one thing. You must be an innocent, luv, if you don't know that the sheets give it away every time. Mrs. Daniel collects the sheets from your room and Sackville's room, both sets as clean and sweet as you please… and unless you two do it standing up or on the floor—"