Rules for Reforming a Rake(4)
She managed a small smile. “Good afternoon, Watling. How are you today?”
“Better than you, by the look of you,” he said, gazing down at her in that perfectly expressionless manner only the finest butlers master.
“Indeed, I’ve had a terrible day.” She let out a deflated sigh ending with a small, wincing groan.
His expression instantly mellowed. “Oh, dear. Oh, dear. Is there anything I can do to help, young miss?”
“Thank you, Watling, but I need to see Lady Dayne at once. Or rather, her visitor.” She tucked a stray strand of her hair behind one ear, knowing she looked a fright even though her hair was now tied back in an unfashionably simple ribbon that felt as though it were already coming undone. Her new gown of pale blue velvet was still damp from her misguided attempt to bathe the children. Dark blue splotches dotted the delicate bodice and skirt.
His gray eyebrows shot up. “Ah, I wondered about his state. So you’re the cause.”
She shook her head sadly as he ushered her in. “I’ve left Pruitt in charge of the children, but can’t expect him to keep them at bay for very long. Did Lady Dayne’s visitor relate what happened? I brought him this shirt... it belongs to Uncle George, but he won’t miss it. I thought it might do until his own is laundered. Is the gentleman very angry?”
An unexpected smile formed at the corners of Watling’s mouth. “He didn’t say. If he is, I’m certain he’ll get over it.”
“Yes, I suppose he will.” She followed the kindly butler into the winter salon, a small and rather cozy room filled with ornate French-style furniture, flowers, and sunshine. There was usually a fire blazing in the hearth, but Daisy noted the lack of one today, for it was warm for late February, even for Eloise, who was elderly and easily took a chill.
“I’ll advise her ladyship that you are here.”
Daisy smiled in gratitude and didn’t have long to wait before Eloise burst through the door, sailing toward her in a billowing mass of ecru satin. The lace ruffles at her throat and cuffs flapped in the breeze like raised sails on an English frigate as she wrapped Daisy in her arms. “You poor child! You’ve had quite a day!”
“And it isn’t over yet,” she said, trying not to sound utterly dejected.
“I know, poor thing. Now, sit down and tell me everything.” Eloise, whose white hair and dark green eyes had retained every bit of their youthful vibrance, nudged her toward an oversized settee embroidered with pink roses.
“I will, but later. You’re busy and I must get back to the children. I only stopped in to drop this off.” She held up her uncle’s shirt. “I thought your visitor might use it until his own is put back in shape. It’s Savile Row and of the finest cloth, as his was before Harry destroyed it.”
Eloise’s eyes twinkled with obvious merriment. “Never mind about him. I gave him an old shirt of my late husband’s that I dug out of storage. It’ll do for now. More important,” she said, urging Daisy onto the settee by patting the seat beside her, “tell me exactly what happened. Whatever possessed Harry to... er, unload... relieve himself?”
Daisy couldn’t help but laugh as she settled beside Eloise. “I don’t know. The incident was as hilarious as it was horrible. Oh, the look of shock upon your visitor’s face when Harry let loose was priceless!”
Eloise let out a soft, but hearty, laugh. “I’m sorry I missed it.”
“It was rather an interesting moment.” Daisy giggled, then sobered. “Harry’s going through a terrible time, and the nanny crisis at home hasn’t helped. I warned Mother that one nanny couldn’t possibly tend to so many children and that we had to hire reinforcements at once, but she’s been so busy with our house guests that she keeps forgetting to send word to the agency. She won’t let me do it,” she continued with a sigh, “because you know what my family thinks of me ever since the incident last year. And now we have no nannies!”
“That’s why you’re looking after all the children?”
Daisy nodded. “And doing a rather poor job of it, but they’re still alive and breathing, at least when I last checked. I suppose that’s all that matters. Mother has taken our female relations shopping and won’t be back for hours. Of course, I’m not complaining or trying to shirk responsibility, and I fully admit that I’m to blame for your visitor’s... er, predicament. Is he very angry?”
The twinkle brightened in Eloise’s eyes. “If he is, I’m certain he’ll get over it.”