Duke In Love

Chapter Nine

ESTELLE

As soon as the sun came up, Estelle opened her eyes. She knew it would be another few hours before the nobility of the house arose, but in just another thirty minutes the staff would be up and about, if they were not already. Though she had some of the house the night before, Elle lacked the information necessary to assist Her Lady fully. So, once she had bathed and gotten dressed, the lady's maid sought out Mrs. Brooks. Seeing as they were guests in that house, Estelle wore a dress more suited to her station. She found Mrs. Brooks in the kitchen talking to some of the maids from Windstrom House and Caplet House.

"Good morning," Estelle greeted everyone there, and touched the shoulders of the women she recognised. She asked them to wait outside for her while she spoke to the housekeeper, and they left the kitchen quietly. The kitchen bustled with people, steam, and the sounds of cooking tools hitting pots and pans.

Mrs. Brooks dismissed the maids, then walked up to Estelle with a smile. "Good morning. Sleep well?"

Elle nodded, "Very well, thank you. The accommodations are marvellous, and I noticed a wonderful scent of lilacs when I laid to rest as well."

The compliment seemed to land well, and the housekeeper raised her eyebrows. She gave Elle a look, as though she appreciated the attention to detail. "Yes... Most of our guests and staff do not notice. Thank you."

"Of course." Estelle took a look around the kitchen, and Mrs. Brooks noticed. She widened her eyes, as though to ask a question. Estelle cleared her throat, "Ma'am, I wondered if you had any earl grey tea for My Lady? She has a certain routine in the mornings, and I would like to make her stay here as close to home as possible."

The older woman nodded knowingly, "Our Vicky has been that way from a young age. Kind girl, but particular with certain things." She walked off into the kitchen, and went behind a white door for a few minutes. When she returned, Mrs. Brooks carried a tray full of glass containers, each filled with tea leaves.

She placed it on a wooden counter near them. "Though they are siblings, The Duke and his sister have very different tastes when it comes to their teas. They'll drink any tea if they must, but... Well, I am certain you know this, Victoria insists on coffee if earl grey is not available. The Duke prefers orange pekoe, or green tea. Something stronger, where beverages go. I have these for the viscountess, so feel free to use them. If they are not here, they will be in the pantry."

"Thank you, this is greatly appreciated." Estelle took a quick look at the selection before she moved on. "Where can we find things for her bath, such as soaps and oils?"

The housekeeper told her the location of bath items, where they kept refreshments, what she might find in the garden if she needs to go there, and how to get to the room in which the viscount and viscountess were staying. Estelle told the maids where to find everything they needed to draw a bath, then brewed some of the tea, and prepared a tray with sugar cubes and milk. She made her way to the room at the end of the hall, walking carefully.

Elle had not expected to learn more about the master of the house while she searched for things for her lady, and the new information forced her to recall the man's eyes. His brown and hazel eyes, which held a bit of green as well. The feel of his arm in her hand, the way he kept her from falling with such ease. Estelle could tell he took up sport, and she found herself curious about which ones. Maybe the ones she enjoyed, but she could never tell him.

Why would she even be speaking to him?

Estelle shook her head, right outside of the viscountess' room, and urged herself to pull things together. They came to visit, and she merely worked for the viscountess. No harm would come from looking, however, it would not do her any good. Just like the viscountess said, her brother felt very comfortable around womanly attention and affection. He would not care about a servant, so Estelle felt she need not worry about all of that.