Chapter 7
Breakfast passed quickly. Mrs. Hughes pushed her girls along wanting to take one more look over the setup before things got started. He'd watched her from the corner of his eye. The solitary piece of toast abandoned on her plate. Anger bubbled up in him, ridiculous, obstinate woman.
The bells started ringing. He stood, casting one last glance at the piece of toast, then went to start his day. The footmen were carrying laden dishes up the stairs in preparation of breakfast. He shook his head, trying to clear thoughts of her from it. It wouldn't do to go in front of the family and guests thinking of her.
She surveyed the set-up. To anyone attending the event, everything would be as it always had been. It was behind the scenes where all of the changes had occurred. She had noticed in years past how the servants tripped over one another getting to certain things. Items ran out and there was no order and then the footmen or maids had to go to the kitchen which took them away from the guests. And, of course, whoever was the bossiest got what they needed leaving others without.
As a result, she had staged the serving area completely differently. She had assigned each hall boy to a particular station. They were responsible for running back and forth from the kitchens and refilling items. This would keep the footmen and the maids out serving the guests. If all went to plan, no one would ever run out of anything and the guests would feel even more attended to than usual.
Even better, if Mr. Carson stayed close to the family as he typically did, he would never know she had made any changes. Happy with everything she headed inside to check on the kitchens. The sound of Mrs. Patmore scolding a wayward maid told her everything was progressing as it should. She skirted along the edge nodding briefly to Mrs. Patmore. Instantly the woman waved her away.
Walking along the hallways she made sure all of the extra linens and glasses were stacked where they should be. She stopped briefly to confirm things with one of the younger hall boys. He was nervous as this was his first event. But he knew his job and was ready. A few warm words and he was smiling.
She continued on past his office to her sitting room. A small smile played across her face as she closed the door behind her, did he actually know how to apologize? It would all be so much easier if he would just listen. They had had several good months of collaboration. Why couldn't he see how much better they were as a united team?
Today would be the test. If he could admit his mistake, she would consider staying. Otherwise she would see the family to the next season and spend their time away finding employment elsewhere. Perhaps another family where she could run two homes, not just the one. It wasn't fair that Mr. Carson went back and forth with the family while she was left behind. Yes, perhaps that would be the better opportunity.
Enough dilly dallying, it was time to go to work. She could hear the hall boys chattering, knew they were gathering their things. One last look to make certain her hair was straight and off she went. She paused for a second saying a silent prayer things went according to her plan. She wasn't sure she could bear it if Mr. Carson was proved right.
The event was going perfectly. Even Mrs. Patmore had come up for a moment to comment on how easy it had been. A noise behind her distracted her. Looking back she found one of the smallest hall boys struggling with a crate.
"Michael, let me help you with that."
He shook his head, "No, Mrs. Hughes, I can get it. You'll see I am just as strong as the other boys."
Gently taking half the weight she smiled at him, "Of course you are, but this crate is almost as tall as you are. It doesn't matter how strong you are if you can't see where you are going."
He looked up at her, "You won't tell the other boys will you…" His eyes widened, she saw fear creep across his face.
"Of course not, Michael, it will be our little secret."
"Apparently, you like keeping secrets Mrs. Hughes."
She froze, cursing to herself. Catching the arm of the nearest person, "John, please take this crate. I need Michael to attend to something else."
The footman took the crate and seeing the look on the butler's face promptly disappeared. Mrs. Hughes turned to tell Michael to run along but he was already gone. She turned to Mr. Carson and lifted her chin defiantly, "I wasn't aware I was keeping any secrets."
He waved frantically at the set-up, "This, you did all of this after I told you not to make any changes."
"Yes, I did. You wouldn't listen." She pointed to the party, "Everything out there is your domain." Waving her arms around, "Everything back here, where no one but staff can see is my domain. I only changed things in my area which, I might add, is well within my rights to do."
His voice raised a notch. A few glasses rattled as those closest to them tried to get away. "I told you not to make any changes."
"You've already said that Mr. Carson. And raising your voice to me will never get the results you want." He opened his mouth to speak and she grabbed his arm and pulled him physically from the area. Once certain no one could see or hear them she stopped. "It is neither the time nor the place to have this discussion, Mr. Carson. I would think someone who holds himself to such standards would know better."
"Again, you lecture me on standards?"
"Just calling a spade a spade Mr. Carson."
"I have never had someone speak to me in such a manner."
She laughed, "With the way you've acted over the past few weeks I find it difficult to believe. Perhaps it's time someone did." She walked past him headed back to the party.
"I was not finished speaking."
She gave him a cold look over her shoulder, "Perhaps not, but I was finished listening. When you have calmed down and after the party has finished, you can find me and we can discuss this calmly and rationally. But not one second before."
