Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

M ichael arrived at Glenwood just before the sun peeked above the horizon. He had a few things to do before begging for Belle’s forgiveness.

When he eventually entered the drawing room, he wasn’t surprised to see Patrick and Ash, lounging comfortably, coffee in hand.

“You’re back.” Patrick held his cup aloft in greeting. “And aside from that bruise on the side of your face, you look much improved.”

Ash silently studied him from across the room.

“I got some much-needed sleep.”

Patrick raised his brow. “You could have done that in your own bed, you know.”

“I did do it in my own bed. Just not the one that’s here.”

Ash uncrossed his legs and sat forward. “You know you’re going to have hell to pay for that, right? Belle is not happy with you for leaving.”

He nodded. “I’m fully prepared to grovel.”

“Get yourself some coffee and have a seat. I’m glad to have a chance for the three of us to talk without Giles around.”

“Has Giles done something wrong?” Michael asked.

“Just—” Ash waved to the coffee. Michael poured himself a cup and sat, just as he’d been instructed.

“I wanted to have a chance to talk business, without any extras.” Michael nodded and Ash continued.

“Now that the two of you are both married and busy with other things, we need to bring in some more help. Ideally, in the form of more partners.”

Michael hadn’t given it a lot of thought, but Ash was right. They wouldn’t be able to sustain the needed coverage the way it was.

“What do you think about Giles?” Ash asked.

Michael shrugged. “The truth is, I don’t know him all that well. But he has certainly proved his loyalty and willingness to help over the last few days.”

“Agreed,” Patrick chimed in. “I think he would fit well with us.”

“Good,” Ash said decisively. “If he’s interested, we’ll offer him a trial period and see how he does.”

“For what it’s worth, I’ll probably be coming back soon, too.” Michael took a sip of his coffee.

“Now that that’s out of the way, there is another small issue you need to be aware of, Michael. Fogg says you have a gossip problem among your staff.”

“Something other than the rumor that I beat my wife?”

Patrick choked. “You what?”

Michael just shook his head. “Don’t ask.”

Ash leaned back and picked a piece of lint from his trouser leg. “Apparently, they now believe Isaac is your wife’s lover, and are talking about it.”

Michael closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, letting out a long sigh. “Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I will put a stop to it today.”

Ash nodded.

“For the record, he is not my wife’s lover. He is also no longer in that cell. I have sent him upstairs to get cleaned up. Additionally, I have told O’Connell and McKinnon that they can return home.”

To his surprise, Ash simply nodded.

“You two don’t seem startled by any of that.”

“Well,” Ash said. “While you were away, your wife persuaded me to allow her a conversation with the man.”

Michael chuckled. “Of course she did.”

“I chaperoned their exchange and found it to be quite enlightening, so I shared my newfound understanding of the situation with Patrick. I still don’t know all the details, but I assume you’ll fill us in eventually.”

Giles shuffled into the room, his mouth open wide in a yawn. “Welcome home,” he mumbled to Michael on his way to the coffee.

“So Giles,” Ash said, once he was seated. “The Raven’s Den is in need of some more help these days, and we wondered how you might feel about joining our partnership.”

Giles stopped with the cup halfway to his lips. “Are you being serious?”

“Well, it would be a trial run to begin with, but yes.”

His face split in a wide grin. “This might be the best day of my life.”

Michael left them to sort out the details and headed up to his study. There were still two more things he needed to address before facing his wife. He was only there a few minutes before Pearson delivered Isaac. “Thank you, Pearson. Now, I’d like you to assemble the staff in the entry hall, please.”

“All of them, my lord?”

“Yes, every one.”

“Yes, my lord.” His brow was furrowed as he left.

“Come in, Isaac.”

He still looked a bit unsure, fidgeting his fingers nervously.

“Are you warm and fed, at least?”

“Yes, thank you.” He hesitated briefly before adding, “my lord.”

“Have a seat, Isaac.” Michael gestured to the chair across the desk from him. “I’d like to offer you an opportunity,” he said as Isaac settled in. “I believe Belle and I will be spending some time in London soon. Raven Row is not the safest area for a lady, so I’d like her to have around the clock protection whenever I’m not available.”

“Are you offering to hire me as her bodyguard?”

Michael nodded. “Precisely.”

“After everything I’ve done?”

“ Because of everything you’ve done, actually. You’ve proven that you’re willing to cross an ocean and even sacrifice your own life in order to keep my wife safe. You are also not romantically interested in her. I believe that makes you an ideal candidate.”

“I… I don’t know what to say. I don’t see how I could possibly deserve such a chance.”

“Well, before you go thinking it’s just going to be a walk in the park, there are a few things you should know. First of all, this is not an opportunity for you to become my wife’s companion. Your relationship with her is going to be one of complete professionalism. You will address her by her title only, and no longer by her given name. There will be no physical contact unless your job requires it. I cannot have her reputation questioned because of your behavior. Do you think you can manage that?”

“Yes, my lord. Absolutely.” He nodded enthusiastically.

“I am not always an easy man to work for. I keep strange hours, I have strict expectations, I can be quite grumpy at times, and I require absolute loyalty from anyone in my employ.”

Isaac nodded his understanding.

“If, at any time, I believe you have engaged in inappropriate behavior with my wife, or if you have been disloyal to me, or her, in any other way, you will be let go without warning, and without a reference. Is that clear?”

“Yes, my lord.” He didn’t hesitate in his response.

“Now, when Belle and I are here at Glenwood, you will not be needed in that same capacity. We can always use extra security at The Raven’s Den, however, so you’ll not be without employment if you want it, but that would mean working with O’Connell and Mckinnon. I’m not sure how you’ll feel about that. Do you need some time to think it all over?”

Isaac looked at him with amused wonder. “No. I don’t even need a moment. Of course I’ll do it. And I won’t let you down. I’m not yet accustomed to the whole lords and ladies thing. I don’t know all the right ways to address people, but I will learn quickly.”

“Oh don’t worry.” Michael chuckled. “I’ll make sure you know when you’ve made a misstep.”

Isaac nodded his appreciation. He looked Michael in the eye. “I’m still not sure I deserve such a chance after everything I’ve done, but I promise to do my best.”

Michael believed him. “Good man.” He slapped the top of his desk lightly. “Now, let’s go down and introduce you to the other servants before I take care of some less pleasant business with them. When I’ve finished there, you can just return to your room upstairs until I send for you.”

His staff was all assembled and waiting in the entry hall by the time he got down there. Their nervous whispering stopped as he entered.

“Good morning.” Michael held his arms up to indicate his greeting to all of them. A sea of bows and curtseys followed the words. “I’d like to introduce you all to Isaac. He is new to my employ. He will not be staying at Glenwood long, and he won’t be here often, but while he is here, I expect you all to welcome him and treat him with the same respect you would any of the other staff here.”

They responded in unison with a soft chorus of, “Yes, my lord.” Michael sent Isaac over to join the end of their line, which he did without question.

“It has come to my attention that there have been some inappropriate rumors circulating below stairs.” A couple of them exchanged nervous glances. “I have not been often in residence for a very long time, and that has clearly opened the door for some bad habits to develop. Let me make something absolutely clear. Gossip will not be tolerated, especially that which is disrespectful of Lady Dalinridge or myself.” Michael moved his gaze slowly along the row, sure to make eye contact with every person. “There will not be further warnings on this subject. In the future, if I learn of similar behavior from any of you, there will be severe and immediate consequences. Now, I am going to start with Pearson and make my way along the line, and I want an affirmative response from each one of you to confirm that you fully understand what I’ve said.”

He walked to the head of the line and faced Pearson, who stood stiffly at attention. “Have I made myself clear?”

“Yes, my lord,” Pearson quickly answered with a nod. Michael waited to get a response from every person as he moved along the row, until he ended with Isaac.

“Dismissed,” he said, then turned and left the room.

He didn’t like being heavy-handed with his servants. Especially like that, forcing them all to humble themselves to him before their colleagues. It was not the way to gain their loyalty, but he’d had to put out the immediate fire. Now, he could start to work on earning their loyalty, trust, and respect. He hadn’t realized just how much he had neglected in his absence. He’d just arrogantly assumed that if their wages were paid, then they’d be happy. For today, they would hate him, but tomorrow, they would all start off with a bonus and a personal note of thanks. It would at least be the first step.