much more comfortable around horses than people.”
“Not to worry,” Clayton assured Lucas. “He’ll have to deal with the guests even as a groomsman. We do quite a bit of riding during my house parties.”
“See there,” Worth replied smugly, straightening his shoulders.
“I still say you won’t be able to do it,” Bell said as the tailor measured his inseam.
“I’m flattered by your faith in me, Bell,” Worth shot back. The tailor’s assistant was measuring his shoulders. “No padding,” Worth told the man. “I don’t need it.”
“Very well,” Lucas replied. “But I intend to visit the stables from time to time to see how you’re getting on.”
“Please do,” Worth replied.
“I think I have everything I need, my lord.” The tailor stood, gathering his scraps of materials and the string he’d used to measure. The assistant fell in line by his side.
“Thank you, Mr. Kirby,” Clayton replied. “The butler will see you both out.”
The tailors left the room and Clayton rang for Mrs. Cotswold, the housekeeper. The formidable lady arrived within moments. She wore a dark gown that swept the floor, a perfectly starched white apron, and a ring of keys that was attached to her waist by a belt. Clayton had already informed them that Mrs. Cotswold was the housekeeper at his estate. He’d sent for her ahead of the house party to assist his friends.
When the housekeeper entered the room, all three prospective servants stood up straight. They were queued in order of height, in front of her. She walked along the line of them and then turned to face her employer. “I’m not at all certain about this, my lord.”
“I understand it’s going to be difficult to think of them as servants, Mrs. Cotswold,” Clayton began, “but as I’ve said, I give you and the other servants leave to treat them no differently than one of your own for the next fortnight.”
“That’s not my concern,” the lady replied, her mouth tight. “The fact is, I’m not certain any of them are up to the task. The duties of a servant are many and varied and the hours are long and can be quite taxing.”
Clayton pressed his lips together. He looked as if he were struggling to keep from laughing. “I understand perfectly, Mrs. Cotswold. They’ve all agreed to do the best they can. Haven’t you, gentlemen?”
All three dutifully nodded.
Lucas stepped forward. “I’d like to thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to help us, Mrs. Cotswold. I promise to take the instruction quite seriously. I will be as fine a footman as I possibly can.”
Mrs. Cotswold inclined her head to him. “Thank you, my lord. I appreciate that.”
“And I’ve already begun my study of the tasks of a valet,” Bell said. “I spoke at length with my man over the last few days. He’s informed me that watching over the candles is a large part of his work. I never knew.”
“The candles are only a portion of it, my lord,” Mrs. Cotswold said, shaking her head slowly. She still looked highly dubious.
“I’m ready to learn,” Bell replied, bowing to the austere woman.
Mrs. Cotswold turned to Worth next. He looked as if he were trying to squelch a smile. “What about you, Your Grace?” Her brow was arched, and she looked nothing but skeptical.
“All I can say in defense of myself is that I have quite a large sum of money riding on this and I hate to lose bets,” Worth replied, staring directly over her head toward the mantelpiece.
“You’ve bet on this?” Mrs. Cotswold asked, her eyebrow inching even higher.
“Yes.” Worth remained as still as a statue.
Mrs. Cotswold’s shoulders relaxed the slightest bit. “Well, then, why didn’t you say so? I’ve little doubt you’ll be the best footman of the lot, Your Grace.”
Worth cleared his throat. “Groomsman.”
“Oh, so you won’t be in the house?” the housekeeper clarified.
“No.” Still standing at attention, Worth lifted his chin.
“That’s probably for the best,” Mrs. Cotswold replied. She turned away from them and all four of the men exchanged laughing glances. None of them dared to utter a sound, however, as the housekeeper turned toward them once more, her hands folded behind her back and said, “We shall begin with the basics.”
“Which are?” Lucas asked.
“How to clean silver,” Mrs. Cotswold replied, eyeing each of them in turn as if looking for any objections to that particular task.
The three future servants nodded in unison.
“What else?” Bell asked.
“For you?” Mrs. Cotswold replied. “How to welcome guests and valet them properly including how to see to