Free Banishment (Daughters of Mannerling 1) by M. C. Beaton Page A

fashionable ruins.’
    ‘I have never heard of such a thing, miss!’
    ‘They were all the crack, but the fashion has lately been exploded except in the minds of such as Mr Judd. A gentleman would invite his guests to “come and see the ruin of my ruin.” If he already had a ruined something or other, he would embellish it with moss, creepers, and a hermit.’
    ‘The ways of the Quality do be strange, miss.’
    ‘Mrs Judd is in residence.’
    ‘That would be the widow, miss.’
    ‘You appear better informed than I was, Barry.’
    ‘Servants’ gossip, miss.’
    ‘And the late Mr Judd shot himself?’
    ‘Yes, miss, lost a fortune at cards.’
    ‘Oh, dear, perhaps it is as well that the son appears to be a luckier gambler.’
    ‘There was a scandal about him. I do hear, miss, that he was once accused of using marked cards.’
    ‘Oh, I am sure that is wrong, Barry. Envious people do say the most dreadful things.’
    ‘Yes, miss. As you say, miss.’ Barry buried his nose in his tankard.
    ‘On the other hand, Mr Judd is to take me driving next Tuesday, so I shall be better able to judge his character for myself,’ said Isabella. ‘I mean, it is always better to make up one’s own mind, do you not think so?’
    ‘Yes, miss. Mr Ducket did say as how several of your old servants had called on him, including that lady’s-maid of yours, miss, looking for employ.’
    Isabella’s face hardened. She remembered the gloating look on Maria’s face. And yet, and yet, when had any of the Beverleys treated their servants in any way to command loyalty? Sir William did not expect the servants, such as they were at Brookfield House, to turn their faces to the wall when he passed, but that might be because he now regarded Brookfield House as an unwelcome interruption in his life and expected to return to Mannerling. How they were all relying on her! Isabella gave herself a mental shake. Mr Judd had bad taste, but he seemed amiable and inoffensive enough. She would be able to manage him. Mannerling was so big, she naively thought, that after they were married she need not see very much of him. She would have her own suite of apartments in the west wing.
    ‘We cannot afford any more servants,’ she said aloud. ‘What will they all do?’
    ‘I s’pose they will go to London,’ said Barry. ‘They have references, do they not?’
    ‘I believe Mr Ducket saw to all that,’ said Isabella. ‘Here comes Joshua now. I will leave you.’
    She returned to the parlour. Lady Beverley said, ‘A footman is arrived from Perival with a request from Mrs Kennedy that you join them for dinner, Isabella. I do not think you should go. If you are to encourage the attentions of Mr Judd, familiarity with such persons is not to be encouraged.’
    ‘Mrs Kennedy and Lord Fitzpatrick are kindness itself,’ said Isabella hotly. ‘I wish to go, Mama.’
    ‘I forbid it!’
    ‘Then I confess the idea of driving out with Mr Judd next Tuesday wearies me.’
    ‘But you must!’
    ‘Then I have no intention of turning down an invitation to Perival.’
    ‘Oh, go, go,’ said Lady Beverley pettishly. ‘You will no doubt have a better dinner than we will enjoy here.’
    ‘There is rook pie for dinner.’
    ‘
Rook pie!
’ exclaimed Lady Beverley in accents of loathing. ‘Since when did the Beverleys eat rook pie?’
    ‘Since they lost all their money,’ said Isabella and left the room before her mother could reply.
    Isabella was disappointed to learn that the viscount had gone out earlier and had not returned but was expected in time for dinner in half an hour’s time. ‘So that means,’ said Mrs Kennedy, who appeared to have recovered from her cold, ‘that we can fit on your gown. I have it here. Take off your dress, Miss Isabella.’
    ‘Here? What if one of your servants should come in?’
    ‘They won’t unless I call ’em.’
    Isabella slipped off her silk gown and stood in a thin shift and gartered stockings.
    ‘No corset, I