Rules of Attraction Read Free Page A

title, but now he's restoring the tapestries and cleaning the woodwork and replacing all the old parts. It's grand. Ye'll see."
    "I'm sure I will." Hannah didn't know if Mrs. Trenchard always spoke so freely or if she were nervous, but as they reached the top of the stairs she realized the housekeeper told the truth. The cruder part of the castle had been lacquered over with a combination of modern furnishings and beeswax. The arched corridor widened, then opened onto a large, beautiful, well-furnished room that blended the ancient with the modern. The ceiling soared so high the illumination of the flickering candles could not reach into its heights. Dark wood paneled the walls, and polished shields alternated with old-fashioned gold-and-scarlet tapestries. Yet the furnishings were both comfortable and new, and for the first time since she'd come to Lancashire, Hannah saw a bit of the current mode that ruled London.
    "The great hall," Mrs. Trenchard announced with great pride.
    "So handsome!" Hannah replied. Her teeth still chattered.
    She hated that. At this, her first meeting with the staff, the master and the elderly aunt, she wanted to appear strong.
    Mrs. Trenchard turned down a dim gallery. Paintings lined the walls, doors opened off its length and at its end, Hannah could see a broad stairway that disappeared in the gloom. Yet everything was luminous and well-cared-for, and one of the doors stood, not opened, but propped against the wall.
    As they passed, Mrs. Trenchard gestured inside. "The master is having the library refitted with all new oak bookshelves painted a pale yellow. He says it'll lighten the room, and I say it's fine."
    "It sounds lovely."
    "Then there's some that say we should leave well enough alone. The old ways are the best, they say."
    She sounded interested in Hannah's opinion, although Hannah thought herself too new here to venture one. So she tried to straddle the issue. "Of course it's necessary to preserve some of the old things, but I'm sure it's easier for you if the castle is new and shining."
    Mrs. Trenchard rounded on Hannah. "Why?"
    "Because you're the housekeeper and the older possessions are fragile and harder to clean?" Hannah ventured.
    Mrs. Trenchard studied at her with a hint of suspicion. Her eyes were a light color, although Hannah couldn't see them clearly in this light, and although she wasn't as old as she'd first appeared, the perpetual lines of worry aged her.
    "Ye might be right. I don't know yet." Still unmoving, Mrs. Trenchard said, "If ye don't mind me saying— I've worked in this castle my whole life, and I'm right fond of his lordship's aunt. All of us who work here are."
    "I'm pleased to hear it." Pleased to hear her charge was congenial. Even pleased that the servants liked her enough to interrogate Hannah.
    "If ye don't mind me asking— the lord says ye have experience minding elderly ladies."
    "I spent six years caring for Lady Temperly."
    "She liked ye?"
    "There was a mutual respect between us, and she was very kind. She left me her house. In that house I was able to start the Distinguished Academy of Governesses. I will always remember Lady Temperly affectionately."
    Mrs. Trenchard studied her for another minute, then nodded. "The master's picked a good one, then. There'll be no turning back now." She led the way to a dark, ornately carved wooden door. "Here ye go. The master's inside the drawing chamber. He frightens some, but he's ne'er been aught but polite to me. Ye'll get used to his abrupt manner soon enough. Chin up, now, and stop yer trembling. It'll be warm inside." Mrs. Trenchard whisked the blanket out of Hannah's grip and looked her over. Apparently she found little of which to approve, for she muttered, "No time to do more." Opening the door, she stepped inside.
    Hannah followed her in and with a brief glance took in the small, comfortable surroundings. A fire burned on the hearth. Fresh flowers nodded in vases. A few books were scattered on a table