Free Rake's Progress by MC Beaton Page A

take an advertisement in the Morning Post .’
    â€˜Servants’ gossip is very useful if cleverly used,’ said Rainbird. ‘Tonight I will go out drinking and gossiping. By tomorrow, the whole of Berkeley Square will know of the existence of Miss Jones.’
    â€˜And then I shall send out my invitations to a children’s party,’ cried Esther, her eyes shining. ‘It is a wonderful idea!’
    â€˜What a deuced stupid idea,’ said Lord Guy crossly after Rainbird had reported back to him. ‘A children’s party! Of what use is that to me?’
    â€˜Have you ever attended a ton children’s party, my lord?’ asked Rainbird.
    â€˜No. Have you?’
    â€˜Yes, my lord. Before I went into service, I worked as an acrobat on the fairgrounds, also as a magician and juggler. I came to London and hired myself out as an entertainer for children’s parties. It nigh broke my spirit.’
    A wicked gleam entered Lord Guy’s eye. ‘And does the fair Miss Jones know what she is in for?’
    â€˜No, my lord. She has only seen the children of Mayfair accompanied by strict nannies and governesses. She has never seen what the little darlings are like when they are with their fond mamas.’
    â€˜And where do I come in?’
    â€˜I think, my lord, you come in just about half an hour after the party has begun. I shall be looking for you as you fortuitously happen to be strolling past.’
    â€˜And I leap to the rescue?’
    â€˜Yes, my lord. You step in with a firm hand and a stern moralizing tone.’
    â€˜Have you been invited?’ asked Lord Guy. This butler was an attractive fellow with his trim figure and humourous face. Could Miss Jones . . . ? LordGuy almost swore. He was becoming jealous of a servant.
    â€˜Yes, my lord,’ said Rainbird. ‘I am the entertainer. Angus MacGregor, your lordship’s chef, has been engaged for the day. He is wonderful at making elaborate confectionery.’
    â€˜Has Miss Jones not managed to train her servants properly that she needs must borrow mine?’
    â€˜It takes a certain type of servant,’ said Rainbird. ‘We are not all alike, my lord.’
    â€˜No, I can see that. It was uncharitable of me.’
    â€˜Joseph is to serve the ices and jellies to the children.’ Rainbird studied the ceiling. ‘Joseph is a sensitive creature and brings out the worst in women and children.’
    The street door knocker began to sound.
    â€˜Let Manuel answer that,’ said Lord Guy.
    â€˜Your servant went out, my lord, just after you arrived home.’
    â€˜Then send whoever it is away. I am in no mood for callers.’
    Rainbird came back a few minutes later with a silver card on a tray, which he presented to Lord Guy.
    â€˜It is a Lady Debenham,’ he said, ‘with her children’s governess. She insists on seeing your lordship. She claims her governess was grossly insulted by Joseph.’
    â€˜That is Joseph of the sensitive nature?’
    â€˜Yes, my lord.’
    â€˜Must I see her?’
    â€˜That is for you to say, my lord,’ said Rainbird. ‘Lady Debenham lives at Number Fifty-two.’
    â€˜Very well. Bring her in. And Joseph.’
    Lord Guy rose to his feet as Lady Debenham entered the room.
    She looked remarkably like her governess, being harsh of feature and haughty of manner. She sat down primly, and Miss Hunt stood to attention behind her chair.
    â€˜I would not have come here had I not felt strongly over the insult to my poor Miss Hunt,’ began Lady Debenham.
    Joseph sidled in and stood looking wretched.
    â€˜Pray tell me what happened, Lady Debenham,’ said Lord Guy.
    â€˜Your footman, accompanied by another footman, approached Miss Hunt. Your footman had the impertinence to present her with a silk rose, which she, of course, refused. One of them shouted something frightful at her. Miss Hunt has great sensibility. She had