Treason at Lisson Grove - Anne Perry [35]
“I’ll do it,” Gracie said instantly.
“You will not!” Charlotte told her. “You don’t work here, you are my guest.” Then she saw the startled look on Gracie’s face. “Please,” she added.
Gracie sat down suddenly, looking awkward.
Charlotte set about making the tea. She had no cake to offer, but she cut lacy-thin slices of bread and butter, and there was fine-sliced cucumber and hard-boiled egg. Of course there was also jam, although it was a little early in the afternoon for anything so sweet.
“Gracie tells me that you have known each other for a very long time,” Charlotte said as she worked.
“Yes, ma’am, since I were eight,” Minnie Maude replied. “She ’elped me when me uncle Alf were killed, an’ Charlie got stole.” She drew in her breath as if to say something more and then changed her mind.
Charlotte had her back to the table, hiding her face and her smile. She imagined that Gracie had schooled Minnie Maude well in not saying too much, not offering what was not asked for.
“Did she also explain that my husband is in Special Branch?” she asked. “Which is a sort of police, but dealing with people who are trying to cause war and trouble of one sort or another to the whole country.”
“Yes, ma’am. She said as ’e were the best detective in all England,” Minnie Maude replied. There was a warmth of admiration in her voice already.
Charlotte brought the plate of bread and butter over and set it on the table.
“He is very good,” she agreed. “But that might be a slight exaggeration. At the moment he has had to go abroad on a case, unexpectedly. My previous maid left without any notice, because she misunderstood something that happened, and felt she could not stay. I have to leave tomorrow morning very early, because of another problem that has arisen.” It sounded peculiar, even to her own ears.
“Yes, ma’am.” Minnie Maude nodded seriously. “A very important gentleman, as Gracie speaks very ’ighly of too. She said as someone is blaming ’im fer summink as ’e didn’t do, an’ you’re going to ’elp ’im, ’cos it’s the right thing ter do.”
Charlotte relaxed a little. “Exactly. I’m afraid we are a household of unexpected events, at times. But you will be in no danger at all. However, your job will involve considerable responsibility, because although I am here most of the time, I am not always.”
“Yes, ma’am. I bin in service before, but the lady I were with passed on, an’ I in’t found a new place yet. But Gracie said as she’ll come by every day, just ter make certain as everything’s all right, like.” Minnie Maude’s face was a little tense, her eyes never leaving Charlotte’s face.
Charlotte looked at Gracie and saw the confidence in her eyes, because she was sitting at the table sideways to her, the small hands knotted, knuckles white, in her lap. She made her decision.
“Then Minnie Maude, I would be very happy to engage you in the position of housemaid, starting immediately. I apologize for the urgency of the situation, and you will be compensated for the inconvenience by a double salary for the first month, to reflect also the fact that you will be alone at the beginning, which is always the most difficult time in a new place.”
Minnie Maude gulped. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“After tea I shall introduce you to Jemima and Daniel. They are normally well behaved, and the fact that you are a friend of Gracie’s will endear you to them from the beginning. Jemima knows where most things are. If you ask her, she will be happy to help you. In fact she will probably take a pride in it, but do not allow her to be cheeky. And that goes for Daniel as well. He will probably try your patience, simply to test you. Please do not let him get away with too much.”
The kettle was boiling and she made the tea, bringing it over to the table to brew. While they were waiting she explained some of the other household arrangements, and where different things were kept.
“I shall leave you a list of the tradesmen we use, and what they should charge