The Marriage Wheel Read Free Page A

housekeeper ’ s own sitting-room.
    “ I thought we ’ d share a meal in here together tonight, ” she said. “ And I ’ m putting you in the room next to mine in the west wing. It ’ s actually the oldest part of the house, but I like it—and I thought you mi ght feel a bit strange and prefer to have company on your first night in a house of this size. Of course, when you move into the cottage you can fix yourself up how and where you like, but for the moment the cottage is a bit of a mess—like the rest of the house. ”
    “ Is—is there any furniture in the cottage? ” Frederica asked, subsiding into a comfortable armchair beside a blazing log fire—apple logs she thought with pleasure, inhaling their perfume—and feeling more thankful than she could possibly have expressed in words that she was not to meet her employer that night.
    At least that ordeal, on top of a tiring journey, had apparently been spared her.
    The housekeeper added another log to the fire, and explained that the cottage contained some furniture, but she had no idea whether the new occupant would think it was much use. They would just have to select other pieces from the house if it was inadequate, and in any case Frederica would probably not be moving into the cottage for a week or so.
    “ I expect you ’ ll want to get used to your surroundings and find out whether you ’ re really going to settle down here, ” she added tactfully ... because what she really meant, the new employee realised, was that it would be best for her to wait and find out whether her services were to be retained for any length of time before moving into the cottage.
    “ Of course, ” Frederica agreed, and accepted a cup of strong, hot tea as it was put into her hand with grateful thanks for the other ’ s diplomatic evasions.
    The housekeeper explained that she had once worked for Mr. Lestrode in the capacity of a secretary, but she was now in full control of the running of his home. She told Frederica to call her by her Christian name, which was Lucille, and explained that even Mr. Lestrode had done so for years. He was not a formal employer, but he expected the maximum amount of return for the salaries he paid out, and the one thing he simply would not countenance was stupidity on the part of anyone he employed. They had to anticipate his wishes and to be brisk in their approach to their work, and above all he expected them to work well without supervision.
    Even the women who came daily to help with the housework from the village had to be on their toes when he was around. The new gardener wouldn ’ t last long if he didn ’ t start getting the grounds into shape without delay. If he needed extra help he would receive it—provided it was obtainable—but that was another matter.
    “ If you ’ re a good driver and you know a lot about cars you ’ ll go down well with Mr. Lestrode, ” Lucille said kindly.
    Frederica swallowed.
    “ I know quite a bit about cars, ” she admitted. She hesitated. “ Is there a Mrs. Lestrode? ” she asked.
    Lucille shook her head.
    “ No, Mr. Lestrode is unmarried, ” she replied. “ Of course, there are always rumours of a possible engagement, ” she added, while her brown eyes wore an extraordinarily placid and even complacent expression. “ But Mr. Lestrode is in his late thirties, and he shows no eagerness to be married. He is an attractive man from a woman ’ s point of view, and he likes a social life ... but he is also a very keen business man, and immensely shrewd. It wouldn ’ t surprise me in the least if he never marries, ” she concluded, with the same complacency in her voice as dwelt in her eyes.
    Frederica felt relaxed but apprehensive as she sat there in her comfortable deep chair beside the crackling log fire, while owls hooted in the trees outside and other night-birds joined in.
    “ What is Mr. Lestrode ’ s business? ” she asked, since she had not bothered to enquire of the London