Carla Kelly

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Sophie is safe and sound, if a little crusty yet.”
    “Let us hope that she will not scar,” his sister said, nodding to Sophie, who had started toward her, but hung back at her words.
    Oh, Gussie, you could hug your daughter, he told himself.
    “Mrs. Burlew has died,” Augusta replied in that same tone. “It was two nights ago. In view of the fact that I had just come from my father-in-law’s funeral, I thought it completely inconsiderate of her.”
    You would, he told himself. “Let us pray she is feeling some contrition beyond the veil,” he murmured.
    “My thought precisely, brother,” Augusta replied. “As a result, your household is leaderless. Thank goodness I am here to save you from some folly or other. I am ready to summon my own housekeeper from London to assume charge here at Knare.”
    He flinched in spite of himself and thought of that forbidding gorgon who nipped at poor Fred’s bourbon, sharpened her tongue on ’tween stairs maids, and was even seen coming out of a broom closet once, straightening her skirts, followed a few minutes later by an underfootman. His heart sank. He glanced at Audrey St. John, who stood a little behind his sister and continued to grin at him. He winked at her, which caused Gussie to puff up. “Really, brother, I wish you could see the seriousness of this event! It is hard to imagine a more thoughtless scheme on Mrs. Burlew’s part, with summer coming on. She knows how busy it will be, with your military friends dropping in to see your disgusting armory! What can she have been thinking? Thank God I am here to rescue you.”
    Well, toss me back into the arena with the lions, he told himself. Suddenly it was too much: no more Valencias, Augusta here, the country’s worst housekeeper on her way soon, and Luster still weak.
    He looked at the row of servants, who gazed back expectantly, ever hopeful, as if praying he would rescue them from Augusta and prevent her housekeeper from blighting their lives. He felt tired, and it was only noon.
    “
Who
is
that?
” Augusta asked suddenly.
    Startled, he looked around. Juan had just jumped from the top step. Liria stood at the carriage door. He offered her his hand. She descended gracefully, released his hand, and stood close to her son.
    An idea took hold then, and he made no effort to shake it off. He could almost see Libby Cook staring at him, her eyes wide, her mouth open in shock. He took a deep breath. “You’re too late, Gussie. I was preparing to retire Mrs. Burlew, and can only wish that she had been able to enjoy a pleasant retirement, poor dear. May I introduce Liria Valencia, my new housekeeper?”

Chapter Five
    Augusta gasped. “You never hired a housekeeper!” You are correct, he thought, amazed at himself. “I saw her walking in the rain and had a sudden impulse,” he said. He stared at his sister, astounded that any human being could turn such a peculiar mottled shade of purple. “Gussie, do breathe.”
    She did finally, letting out such a gust of wind and choler than Juan moved closer to his mother.
    Augusta’s eyes narrowed into slits. “You are telling such a lie, brother,” she declared.
    “That’s my story, and I won’t waiver from it, Gussie dear,” he replied with a shrug. I should remember that telling Gussie a lie or the truth is all the same, he told himself. “I might add that the matter has Luster’s entire approval, eh, Luster?”
    “Most indubitably, Your Grace,” his butler said without a blink. “Now, Miss Valencia,” Luster continued, “if you would lend me a shoulder to lean upon, I will show you to your domain belowstairs. Haverly, don’t just stand there with your chin dragging on the gravel. Lively, now!” A footman leaped forward and took the butler’s arm. “Juan may come, too, my dear,” Luster said.
    Nez barely dared to look at her. Oh, please, he thought. I don’t care how ramshackle your life has been. You don’t belong in a mill, no matter how enlightened it

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