Tea For Two (2 page)

He raised an eyebrow. “You don’t need my
approval for that. Do whatever you feel is best.”

Millie seemed anxious as she approached him.
“Yes, of course, thank you. I plan to ask Shannah to serve. She’s
been trained same as the other maids, but she’s never served at the
table or at a party before. But I have no one else.”

Something in her tone pricked his curiosity.
“I’m sure Shannah will do fine. Do you doubt her abilities?”

“Oh, no,” Millie said. “Shannah’s my best
worker. It’s just that she usually doesn’t stay late into the
evening, and I worry about her.”

Brendan had the distinct impression he’d
missed an important fact. “Millie, what is it you’re trying not to
tell me?”

Still the woman hedged. “Well, there were
some things the girl told me in confidence. I’m not sure I should
divulge them, but it’s clear you don’t know and you probably
should.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose to ward off
the coming headache. “If you feel there’s something amiss, you
should certainly tell me. She’s not stealing, is she?”

“Nothing like that,” Millie said. “There’s no
one more honest or hardworking in all of Brundidge. But that’s just
the thing. Shannah arrives before the other maids, volunteers for
upstairs duties if there’s a girl sick, and has even helped out the
stable boys on more than one occasion.”

Brendan leaned forward and steepled his
fingers. “Why would one girl work so much?” he wondered.

“If you’ll bear with me, my lord, I’m getting
to that. You see, Shannah’s parents and sister all died in the same
epidemic that took your dear father. So it’s fallen to her to tend
the family cottage, and care for the young ones her parents left
behind.”

Millie held herself so seriously it was all
Brendan could do not to laugh with relief. Younger siblings? This
was Shannah’s dark secret? He didn’t interrupt when his housekeeper
continued.

“It’s because of them that I always make
certain she leaves before dark. I’d hate to have her travel the
distance through the woods alone at night. But, if she serves at
the party, that’s exactly what will happen.”

Brendan smiled. “I’m certain one or two of
the footmen would be happy to escort her home.” But the words
soured on his tongue and sounded wrong to his ears. “Or I could see
her home myself.”

Millie gasped. “Oh, my lord, I’m certain she
would appreciate your kindness, but you will have guests and
responsibilities.”

Brendan’s smile faded as he considered that
truth. “I can send her home in the carriage. Don’t fret, Millie.
We’ll sort everything out. My mother would be most displeased if we
served short-handed at her birthday celebration, but I can’t very
well turn one of my maids into the night with no protection or care
for her well-being. Thank you for bringing this to my
attention.”

Millie curtsied. “Of course, my lord.”

Alone, Brendan tried to turn his attention to
matters of business, but his thoughts kept returning to the
soft-spoken servant and her beguiling manner. What would cause one
girl to work so much? Had her family left her with debt? He eyed
the mounting pile of bills for his mother’s party. Surely Shannah
didn’t have an elaborate lifestyle, but there were other things
that could incur debt.

And why did it suddenly matter so much to
him? His interest in Shannah began and ended where it concerned her
employment, as it should. The fact that she spent more time here
than any other servant shouldn’t worry him. At least the work got
done.

Millie’s conviction of Shannah’s honesty sat
well with Brendan. If only the same could be said of all of the
people in his employ. But if she was so honest, why did he feel she
had secrets?

Brendan mentally shook himself to rid his
mind of Shannah’s image so he could concentrate on the bills from
his mother’s party. However, his traitorous thoughts kept returning
to the maid. She intrigued him—only it was more than that.

After a moment, Brendan realized Shannah’s
odd story presented a mystery—an honest, hard worker with secrets.
He’d never been able to let a puzzle alone without at least
attempting to solve it. Perhaps this was why he had so much trouble
getting her out of his thoughts. He had to understand.

It took no time at all for him to convince
himself that, as her employer, he had a right to know what she did
with her time and why. He didn’t pause to examine the correctness
of that conclusion, but accepted it and formulated a plan. He would
have to investigate. He would have to talk to the girl. He would
have to see her in her natural environment—at her home.

Now, how to accomplish that without appearing
to be up to something nefarious?

CHAPTER 3

Shannah did her best to contain her elation
as she chopped potatoes. Serving at the ball? She’d be able to see
all the ladies’ beautiful gowns up close! Millie had returned from
speaking with the viscount and informed her of the change in plans.
Shannah had nodded obediently and returned to her work.

“Oh, dear, I also spoke to Lord Brendan about
your unique circumstance,” Millie said from behind her.

Shannah froze. “Which circumstance?” she
asked, hating the quiver of fear in her voice.

“We are both concerned about you walking all
the way home in the dark after the ball.”

Shannah relaxed. “I’m certain I will be fine,
ma’am.”

“Nevertheless, the viscount has promised to
provide you with an escort so you can return home each night
safely. He’s so considerate.” Millie bustled away.

That fear caught Shannah again. An escort?
Who, exactly? She couldn’t ask too many questions for fear Millie
may become suspicious. Shannah tried to relax. Certainly such a
thing had been done before. Not all maids lived in the servants’
quarters. She needn’t feel singled out. Lord Brendan couldn’t
intend to escort her home himself. He’d have to abandon his guests
to do so. It would be the height of rudeness, not to mention
impropriety.

She took a deep breath and concentrated on
her work. What if he wanted to speak with her? What if he actually
did
come to her home? She had to prevent that at all costs.
Shannah fought the urge to throw up her hands in despair. Why did
serving at the party have to be so complicated? But she couldn’t
back out without a solid reason, one that she could actually share
with Millie and Lord Brendan.

Shannah completed the remainder of her duties
for the day and headed home just as sunset scorched the sky. This
happened to be her favorite time of day, not because of the
glorious colors surrounding her but because it was the only time
she was ever alone. She spent the walk to her doorstep lost in her
own thoughts; her feet knew the way without instruction.

Like every day, the moment she entered the
clearing where her grandfather had built his house, her brother’s
mangy dog’s bark announced her arrival to the entire homestead. In
less time than it took her to count to three, the front door
crashed open and out tumbled her three favorite people.

Matthew reached her first, as the oldest his
legs were much longer. “Good day?” he asked as he took her shawl
and lunch pail from her.

“As ever,” she responded. Shannah never
shared more worries than she had to with her brother. He tended to
fret more than a boy ought, but that was one of the consequences
life dealt them.

Kora pulled at her skirt. “Mama, up.” She
looked up with soulful eyes. At five years she should have had a
fuller vocabulary, but Kora hadn’t shown much interest in talking.
Shannah didn’t know if it was stubbornness or something else.

Shannah lifted her with a sigh. “Not Mama,
pet. Sissy. Mama’s gone.” The oft repeated words reopened the wound
in her heart. Her sister didn’t even remember their mother. Would
it hurt so much if she believed Shannah to be her ma?

Baby Royce toddled down the stairs, barely
clearing the last step as Shannah approached him. “How’s my little
man?” she cooed.

He lifted his head and pinned her with
glorious chocolate eyes as he babbled happily at her, not once
taking his fingers from his mouth. Shannah laughed and tousled his
dark curls. Such an adorable child. He’d won her heart moments from
birth and had never relinquished it. She took his free hand and led
him into the house.

“I made rabbit stew for dinner,” Matt told
her. “Kora tried to help and almost burned the biscuits.”

“Mama, owie.” Kora offered her a chubby hand,
complete with bandaged fingers.

Shannah kissed it. “She didn’t burn herself,
did she?”

“Of course not,” he said. “She insisted on
the bandages anyway, but I kept her from harm.”

Shannah smiled at him. “You always do. You’re
the best brother a girl could ask for. Now, could you get the door
before I drop her? I’m starving and dinner smells wonderful.”

CHAPTER 4

Brendan stood just beyond the clearing,
feeling ridiculous. Unable to think of a logical reason to see her
at home, he’d been reduced to skulking around trees and bushes
through the forest. Not that she seemed to notice anything. From
the moment she stepped into the woods bordering his property, she’d
barely paid any attention to her surroundings.

He stopped under the cover of some blackberry
bushes and a low hanging willow that gave him a clear view of the
house without revealing him. A dog barked and he jumped. Then the
house expelled young children who swarmed Shannah.

Brendan felt a familiar sensation of
wrongness, something that had served him well in battle. But he was
far from the enemy now, or was he? Shannah greeted the tallest
child, a boy with her dark curls. His stomach clenched when the
little girl called her mama. Impossible. Shannah was no more a
mother than he was. But, considering the child’s obvious youth and
judging by what Millie had told him, it was unlikely the girl could
remember her own mother. She’d naturally latch on to her older
sister as a mother figure.

The tiny child gave him pause. He couldn’t
discern boy or girl with that head full of dark curls. But too
young, far too young to belong to Shannah’s parents.

To whom did
he
belong?

Brendan strode into the clearing before he
recalled he had no business being there. It didn’t take long for
him to remember, though, and he turned immediately to return to the
relative shelter of the trees.

Luck did not favor him. Before he’d taken one
step of retreat the door of the house banged open and he heard
Shannah’s strained voice.

“Matthew! Come back!”

Brendan glanced over his shoulder to see the
boy, his face a storm cloud of emotion, cross the porch and hit the
steps at a run. Head down, not seeing anything around him, he was
about to charge right into Brendan’s back. He turned to catch the
child, to soften the impact, but his movement called attention to
his presence. Matthew’s head shot up and he froze like a deer
caught in a hunter’s sights.

Shannah appeared in the doorway in the same
moment. “Matt--.” Her voice died when Brendan met her eyes.

“Shannah?” Matthew’s voice broke the sudden
stillness, no evidence of his earlier anger.

“Come here, Matt.” Shannah motioned with her
hand but he’d already spun to race back to her. Whatever spat had
caused his exit seemed forgotten.

Brendan took a deep breath and prepared to
make some excuse for his presence at her home but she beat him to
it. Without glancing at the boy she pushed Matthew behind her and
called out, “My lord, what a surprise. I didn’t know you intended
to pay us a visit.”

“I didn’t.” That, at least, was truth. “That
is to say I had no intention of intruding, but I was taking a
stroll and heard a sound and thought to investigate.”

“A stroll?” Her brow furrowed in confusion.
“Less than an hour before Mrs. Scrab serves dinner?”

Blast, she would know the household schedule.
“I felt like some exercise.”

Shannah folded her arms and fixed him with a
hard look. Not challenging, exactly, but disbelieving. “I’ve never
heard of you walking through the woods before, my lord. If ever you
wish exercise, you usually ride that lovely horse of yours.”

Every servant in his employ must know his
business, he supposed. “I’m allowed to desire a change of pace, so
to speak,” he countered. “I didn’t realize you lived so close to my
chosen path.”

That was a direct lie, but he drew himself up
in a stance challenging her to call him on it.

A tiny face appeared at her side. “Mama?”

Alarm flashed in Shannah’s eyes and she
whispered to Matt, who took the child and disappeared into the
house. Brendan watched her, fascinated. Why would she react that
way?

Did she think he’d assume she was the child’s
mother?

“I’m certain you’re busy, Shannah, but since
I did happen to stumble upon you, I’d like to ask you to come up to
the manor early tomorrow,” he said. “About an hour before you begin
your duties, if possible. I shall meet you in my study.”

“Why?”

Did he detect a tremor in her voice? “There
are some things you and I need to discuss.” He raised an eyebrow.
“I trust that is sufficient reason for your employer to request
your appearance.”

She bowed her head, humbled, he assumed. “Of
course, my lord. I shall be there.”

Brendan inclined his head. “Excellent. Until
tomorrow, then.”

“Goodnight, my lord.” Shannah shut the door
before he could respond, and even from across the clearing he could
hear the bolt slide home. The idea that she had something to hide
struck him again, but he couldn’t imagine what that could be.

CHAPTER 5

Shannah leaned against the door and took a
deep breath in an effort to calm her racing heart. She didn’t
believe for a moment that Lord Wyndham had just happened upon their
home. She’d bet a year’s wages that he had come on purpose, but
why? Did he suspect something?