Lady Pembridge cried at their departure. But she had a glisten in her eye that led Mai to believe that her son had discussed something of their future plans with his mother.
The journey back to Harker Hall was long and quiet. Madoka was still quiet, staring out of the window with great interest. Mai had let on that she had heard of Lin's change in circumstances the previous evening when they had returned to Aubrey Hall. Madoka had confessed she was concerned that Lin would be offended that she was only interested in him now that he had money. Mai thought this a reasonable concern, but one that would pass. The money would solve the problem of her family's expectations and allow two people that were in love to be together.
When they arrived at Harker Hall the following day, they were greeted only by Lin and Takigawa. Lin, as Lord Pembridge had said, was limping heavily. Takigawa, however, handled the cases with ease.
"Lin, I need a word with you about your employment," Lord Pembridge stated. "Perhaps we could go into the library."
Lin's face paled, but he nodded and followed his master for the last time.
Once out of earshot, Takigawa turned to Mai.
"What is happening? Is he firing Lin? After everything?"
"I would be lying if I said he was not going to fire Mr Lin. However, his circumstances will be much improved after this. I promise you that Lin will be cared for."
Takigawa appeared doubtful, but nodded.
"We have some supper for you all," he said. "Miss Matsuzaki is still on bedrest, but she came down to the kitchen and ordered me about all afternoon to make something for your arrival."
"You can cook?"
"Oh no, not in the slightest," Takigawa said with a laugh. "But it is edible."
"After the journey we have just been on, I will be grateful as long as it is warm."
"Excellent, because soup was the only thing she allowed me to make."
Between all of them, they served up the soup and brought it to the dining room. Mai insisted that Takigawa and Matsuzaki join them. The rest of the household staff had not returned yet, and it seemed foolish to heat many rooms with so few of them in residence.
They began eating without Lord Pembridge and Lin.
"This is edible," Mai agreed with Takigawa's earlier statement. "I would eat it again without complaint, though I shall definitely look forward to Miss Matsuzaki's return to the kitchen."
"Thank you, my Lady, it was very painful to watch him attempt my work."
"I can imagine so," Mai agreed. "You must have worked hard on your craft to achieve the level of skill you possess. Who did you learn from?"
"My mother, and my grandmother. They had me in their kitchen as soon as I could walk to assist."
"They must also have been talented cooks."
"I still aspire to match their work."
Mai smiled, but before she could say anything more, the door burst open and Lin stood on the other side, clutching the door handle like it was a lifeline.
"I beg forgiveness at the intrusion, but I must speak with Miss Mori most urgently."
Mai beamed.
"Yes, I imagine you do. Miss Mori, perhaps you could take Mr Lin somewhere more private. I shall fetch the wine to celebrate upon your return."
Madoka left.
"What is going on?" Matsuzaki asked. "What are we celebrating? Why would the butler need to talk to—"
"Lord Pembridge recently came into some information that Mr Lin was entitled to a sum of money that would mean he would no longer be required to work as a butler. Lord Pembridge returned to London to have his lawyer ensure the transfer went accordingly. As a loyal servant, he felt Mr Lin had earnt his assistance in the legal matters."
"But enough to marry a gentleman's daughter?" Takigawa asked, astounded.
"Yes, enough to marry a gentleman's daughter."
Takigawa and Matsuzaki shared a look.
The door opened again, and Lord Pembridge entered. If he was surprised at two of his servants joining them at the dinner table, he did not show it.
"Could you find some wine before you sit?" Mai asked. "We will soon have an engagement to celebrate."
"I did not plan to ask you for your hand this evening," Lord Pembridge teased.
Takigawa and Matsuzaki shared an astonished look.
"Oh hush, I am talking of Mr Lin and Miss Mori as you well know."
"Ah, she went with him?"
"She did not protest it. I would have given her excuses if she did not want to go."
Lord Pembridge retrieved a bottle of wine and placed it on the table. He sat opposite Mai and took up his spoon.
"Miss Matsuzaki, your apprentice cook needs a lot of work."
Mai laughed.
"She did her best with what she had," Mai said. "Mr Takigawa is not gifted in the culinary arts."
"It is a good job that he is skilled in other matters then," Lord Pembridge said.
Takigawa and Matsuzaki appeared too scared to speak up with their master in the room. When there were no practical things to discuss, they did not seem as comfortable as they had done with Mai to speak at ease.
"I hope they do not spend too long declaring their love for each other, else their food will go cold," Mai said. "But I do not want to interrupt them."
"They will be too happy to be concerned about cold food."
Lin and Madoka returned half an hour later, both very red in the face.
"Your soup is cold," Mai stated. "But we have wine? If you have something of note we ought to celebrate?"
"We are engaged," Lin declared. "I will write to Miss Mori's father tomorrow."
"Excellent, take a seat. I will pour for us all," Lord Pembridge said.
Lin looked aghast at his former master serving him wine, but sat nonetheless. If Lin looked shocked, Takigawa and Matsuzaki both looked ready to faint.
They enjoyed the rest of their meal in relative quiet, and due to the lateness of the hour, vowed to celebrate more fully the following day.
The servants began arriving back at Harker Hall after breakfast. Mai welcomed them all back and answered all the questions they had about the safety of the property. Once placated, they stashed away their belongings and began work.
Around midday, Mrs Sakauchi called upon Mai and begged for news of London. They talked for quite some time, getting through several pots of tea as Mai talked of the fashions and news, and of Lin's new wealth.
"How good it was of Lord Pembridge to assist him! He's a fine man. The woman who marries him will be very fortunate indeed."
"Yes, I will be," Mai replied without thinking.
Mrs Sakauchi's eyes widened in surprise.
"Lady Astley, do you mean to tell me that you are engaged?"
"What? Oh no. Not yet. But perhaps soon. With all that has happened lately—"
"You must have him ask you as soon as possible. Perhaps then you could take your honeymoon in Brighton with us. My husband has agreed to a trip."
"Oh how wonderful," Mai said. "That will do you both a world of good! If you pass through London on your way down, do visit Lady Pembridge, I am sure she will be delighted to have guests."
"I daresay she will," Mrs Sakauchi agreed.
"How long will you be gone?"
"A month. The whole of February. And yes, I think a stop in London both ways will split the journey up nicely."
"If you write ahead, Lady Pembridge will put you up for the night. And likely invite you to whatever balls she is attending with Lady Anne. Which reminds me, I must write to her about the doctor's daughter. I think she will enjoy that rather much."
"Yes, I think she will enjoy the project, especially if her own son is no longer alone."
"I will write to you as soon as that matter is settled."
"Who will give you away?" Mrs Sakauchi asked.
"I thought of asking Mr Brown to do it, but as he is likely to perform the ceremony, I doubt that will work. Perhaps Mr Lin will consent to it."
"I am sure he would be honoured by the suggestion."
Mrs Sakauchi left not long after that. Mai wandered about the house, observing the servants at work and checking that everything was as it should be. She finished her self-made tour with the kitchens, where she found Matsuzaki barking orders from a chair at the new cook, a young woman who appeared rather frightened by the whole situation.
"Miss Matsuzaki, how do I find you?"
"Quite well, Miss Shaw here is not incompetent."
"And I trust you are resting?"
"I am sat down, am I not? But these kitchen maids will get lazy if I do not—"
"Miss Shaw, is Miss Matsuzaki assisting?"
"She is very knowledgeable," Shaw said diplomatically. "But I have the layout of the kitchen now. I would not want Miss Matsuzaki to overexert herself."
"I am not going to overexert myself!"
"Miss Matsuzaki, perhaps you could accompany me upstairs. Miss Mori has gone for a walk with Mr Lin and I find myself quite in want of company."
"My Lady, I am not—"
"There are a few women arriving this afternoon to interview for the position of housekeeper, I would value your input as someone in a senior position. Mr Lin will be assisting with the interviews for the new butler."
"Yes, my Lady."
Two days later, Mai had settled on a housekeeper with Matsuzaki's agreement. The woman they had chosen was slightly older, and her husband had also applied for the role of butler. They had come with glowing references and would be available to start the following week. Lin had agreed this woman's husband was suitable for the role, though he had concerns about the man's age. Mai privately agreed, and planned on insisting they begin training a replacement from within the household. Lord Pembridge's treatment of his servants inspired loyalty, as much as an employee could be loyal, and she wanted to continue that.
Two weeks later saw Lin and Madoka marry. Madoka's family visited briefly for the occasion. Mai lent her friend one of her nicer dresses for the ceremony. Lord Pembridge arranged for a carriage to take them to their new home and promised not to visit for several days while the newlyweds became better acquainted.
"I shall need a project while Miss Mo— Mrs Lin is on her honeymoon. Mrs Sakauchi has left for Brighton and I shall go spare without something to do," Mai declared to Lord Pembridge that evening.
"Perhaps you could begin renovations on some of the bedrooms. I think my brother's old room would make a delightful nursery. It has a lot of natural light."
"You are so presumptuous that I will accept your hand," Mai said, smiling at him. "But yes, it would make a delightful nursery."
"You have been running this house like it is your own since your return from London," Lord Pembridge stated. "If you did not intend to accept my hand, then you seem set on making it very hard for my future wife to fit in."
Mai laughed.
"Well someone had to do something! Without a woman in this house you went for over a year without a housekeeper for goodness sake. I have been in charge for a few weeks and everything is running much smoother."
"I do not deny it," Lord Pembridge said. "So will you accept my hand in marriage?"
"Is that your proposal?" Mai asked with a raised eyebrow. "That was rather limp."
He rolled his eyes, put down the book he had been pretending to read and leant forwards in his chair to face Mai properly.
"Lady Astley, I would be lost without you and your excellent running of my household. I do not want to spend another day without you in my life. So will you do me the honour of being my wife?"
Mai smiled at his words.
"I'll think about it."
Lord Pembridge sat back in his chair and scowled.
"You vex me woman."
"And I plan to vex you for many years longer. Of course I will marry you. As soon as Mr Brown is available, I will marry you."
"Excellent, my mother will be thrilled. She has been harassing me to propose to you ever since she met you."
"Your mother has excellent taste."
"Or she has enough experience with me to recognise when some poor fool will put up with me."
"Oh hush, you're not so bad. In fact I believe you can be quite agreeable at times," Mai said. "And your dancing is far better than you would have people believe."
"Because that is the basis for a healthy love? Good dancing?"
"It certainly helps matters."
He rolled his eyes again.
"Does this mean I may call you by your given name without you scowling at me?"
"Well that depends," Mai replied. "Do you only plan to use it to cause jealousy in other men?"
"I plan to use it exclusively to make others jealous."
"You are ridiculous."
"Yes, love seems to do that to a person," Lord Pembridge agreed. "Please excuse me, I must write a letter to my mother. No doubt she will want to hear about this so she can plan a visit."
He stood up and made to leave the room.
"Does this mean you wish for me to call you Oliver?"
He turned and smiled at her.
"Yes, Mai, I would very much like for you to call me Oliver."
Author's note: one more chapter left!
