then,” he said grudgingly. “We’ll just have to see how we go.”
After the two women had stripped the rooms on the second floor and made up the beds on the third, Edna dragged out the largest tub for laundering. Mina was given a sack of potatoes and a sack of onions to get started on the filling for all the pasties they would be serving over the next few days. She set to work with gusto and had filled three bowls with finely chopped onions when the door opened, and Gus appeared on the threshold.
“Well now Minnie,” he announced, setting his thumbs into his waistcoat and rocking back on his heels. “This is a very domesticated scene and no mistake!”
“Good morning, Gus.” She smiled. “How are you? I have not seen you this past week, I think.”
“You’re keeping much finer company than me, these days I fear,” he said, shaking his fluffy white head sadly. At Mina’s raised eyebrows, he added. “I hear you’ve been keeping company with the Faris’s at Vance Park and now there’s a fine gentleman waiting for you in your parlor room.”
“A fine gentleman?” Mina asked. “Do you mean Lord Faris?”
“I do not,” he said, stroking his moustaches. “It’s a fine tall gentleman who’s waiting on you.” He pursed his lips. “And said as his name was Carswell, I believe.” She looked up, startled to see Gus’s eyes fixed on her rather hard.
“Sir Matthew?” she asked, standing up from her seat. She clicked her tongue. “I wonder what he could want.” The timing could not be worse. “Is his ward with him?”
“His ward?” Gus cocked his head to one side.
It was funny how she had never noticed how shrewd his eyes could look, Mina thought distractedly, for all they were usually so blue and guileless. “A former pupil of mine named Cecily.”
“A former pupil, is that the tale?”
She looked around from the sink at his odd tone, but he smiled at her expansively, so she dried her hands and hurried to remove the cap which kept her hair out of the way. “It’s unfortunate timing now we’re so busy,” she muttered. “But I’d better go and see him if he has called out especially. Would you be so kind, Gus?” she said, moving toward him and angling her apron strings his way.
“Of course, dear lady,” he obliged. “Nothing could be simpler.”
“Thank you.” She shrugged off the apron and set it down on a bench. “I won’t be long. If you’re still here when I return, perhaps we could take a cup of tea together?”
Gus demurred, claiming he would not dream of distracting her when she was so busy and Mina hurried to the parlor, hoping she did not smell too strongly of onions.
She found Sir Matthew sat with one leg across the other in a seat by the window, his foot wagging irritably. He stood up when she entered the room and bowed. “Miss Walters,” he said formally.
Mina crossed the room to shake his hand. “It’s Mrs. Nye now,” she reminded him and politely gestured for him to be seated. “Will you take some refreshment or—”
“No, thank you.” He hastened to reassure her, and she noticed with relief he still wore his caped greatcoat as though he was intending a short visit only. “In truth,” he hesitated. “I was hoping perhaps you might accompany me for a short drive.” He gestured to the window where he had a curricle waiting. “Perhaps into St Ives.”
“I’m afraid that is out of the question, Sir Matthew,” Mina answered politely. “You find us at sixes and sevens this morning.” She sank gracefully into a chair facing him. “We are readying ourselves for the arrival of a large party imminently.”
He gave a harsh laugh. “I’m sure I would not like to hazard a guess at what sort of parties would descend on such a lonely spot,” he said with a moue of distaste. “Not a respectable one, I’ll warrant.”
Mina sat straighter in her chair, her gaze very level. “As to that sir, I am surprised you think it appropriate to say so, considering you must be aware I am married to the proprietor.”
Sir Matthew glared at her a moment, slapping his gloves across his shiny top boot. “Yes, I am aware. That is what I—” He broke off distractedly. “That is, after you left the other day, I made enquiry and I might add I have never been so shocked in all my life. To hear you now have ties to