“Upstairs I think.” Meg played a little tune and then closed the piano lid.
Another loud bang overhead caused Nicola to groan. “Those men!”
“I’ll go up and speak to them. You find Mrs Nesbit and ask her to make you some tea and a plate of something.” Meg paused by the door. “The unpacking of the whole house doesn’t need to be finished in one day, Nicola. Do calm down and rest. Mr Belfroy will be upset if he thought you were working too hard, and think of us! What on earth would we do if something happened to you?” Her eyes widened in innocence and she laughed.
“Go on with you.” Smiling, Nicola waved her away and then turned her attention to the parlour. The room was of a good size and decorated in hues of blue and cream. A new sofa and chairs had arrived shortly after the piano and a large bookcase now stood on the far wall next to the fireplace. With some touches of home comfort this room would be a nice place for the women to sit and write letters, read or simply relax.
Leaving the parlour, she went down the hall to the next door on the left, the dining room. The long polished table, chairs and a serving side table were all in place. Opposite the dining room was Nicola’s study. In here, boxes crowded the desk and carpet. None of that would be sorted today.
Voices at the front drew her out of the study and back into the hall. Miss McIntyre, a natural leader and organiser, was shepherding in Misses Golding, Barker and Rogers. Nicola smiled at them. “Welcome to your new home, ladies.”
“It is so big, Miss Douglas.” Miss Barker stared up at the landing above. “We will surely lose ourselves and each other here.”
“I do not think we will be of a small number for long, Miss Barker,” Miss McIntyre said in her Scottish accent and stepped closer to Nicola. “I thought we should come and help here. The last cart was packed just as we left and is on its way. There is only cleaning left to do back at the old house and I have instructed Hannah to make a start. I hope that meets with your approval?”
“Certainly, Miss McIntyre, and thank you for your help.” Nicola squeezed her hand, acknowledging her friendship and kindness.
“What can I do to assist you now I’m here?”
“Actually, I’ve yet to inspect the state of the bedrooms since the moving men started. Miss Robinson is up there now, but I have the kitchen to check on and-”
“Leave upstairs to me, Miss Douglas.”
“Thank you.” Turning to the ladies, she gestured to the staircase. “Please, ladies, go up and select a bedroom. For now we have one each, but I am sure that will change soon enough. Oh, and open the windows if you please. The rooms are stuffy in this heat.”
Their chatter drifted up the staircase behind them. Hearing the rumble of wheels on the gravel drive, Nicola took a deep breath and went outside into the warm October sunshine. She still found it strange to have warm weather in the months that she always associated with cooler temperatures. Back home in England the leaves would be falling from the trees, the nights turning cold with winter approaching.
Another cart pulled up in front of the double doors with the last of the furniture. While giving instructions to the two men, who climbed down to untie the ropes, she noticed Mr Belfroy’s carriage turning into the gates. The circular drive was not large and with two carts in front of the house the carriage had to stop on the curve of the drive. Nicola walked down to meet it, and at the same time, made notes on improvements for the gardens, which were neglected and overgrown with weeds. But the back garden looked promising with an abundant orchard and vegetable patch.
“Miss Douglas!” Mr Belfroy climbed down from the carriage and bowed over her hand. “How is it all coming along, my dear?”
“There is some upheaval, naturally. Moving six women, staff and a household of furniture isn’t easy.”
“Indeed not.”
“Later, I would like to speak to you about hiring outside staff.”
“Yes, yes, later, I promise.” He beckoned to the person inside the carriage. “Come out, dear boy, and meet my friend, Miss Douglas.”
Intrigued that Mr Belfroy wasn’t alone, Nicola’s eyes widened as a tall man, dressed in a brown suit with a