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The housekeeper stared at Rose, her brows drawn together in curious enquiry “Was your previousthe lower classes, was he? I worked for a man once who made the staff take lessons in the correct pronunciation of vowels”

It occurred to Rose that the housekeeper referred to her eloquent diction and turn of phrase

“Erm … yes The major is an advocate of reform” Rose detested lies, but sometimes they were necessary

“Well, you’ll find the master here has no time to care for hi the path “If Mrs Booth leaves us, heaven kno he’ll cope”

With her nose thrust in the air, Mrs Booth continued her ate while they followed behind Whenever Rose’s toes hit the top of her boots, she bit back a groan

“Do you have a liirl?” the housekeeper asked “Because there was no mention of it when the master hired you, and he’s too honourable a man to tolerate deceit”

“It’s my boots They’ve rubbed blisters the size of walnuts”

The housekeeper patted Rose on the arm as they tottered after Mrs Booth “A miser is he?”

“Excuse me?”

“Your old ht in the purse to buy his staff a decent pair of shoes”

“So like that” The Earl of Stanton was a miser and a man without a conscience or heart

Since declaring her affection for Lord Cunningham, her father had lost all use of his faculties What sane hter into a hired coach and spirits her away to a dilapidated manor?

Poor Lord Cunningham The man must be beside himself orry What must he think of her? No sooner had he professed his love than she vanished without a trace

“Mrs Booth Wait You’ll put an old worave if you don’t slon Will you not listen to what I have to say?”

Mrs Booth swung around “Mrs Hibbet, had you endured a week of torture I’, too Do you knohat I found in ive them a chance to ask but pointed to an upstairsand jabbed her finger “Toads! Yes, you heard s, butat me with their cold, lifeless eyes”