“Shall I order your carriage, my lord?” Simmons asked.
“Please.” Once he had left, Giff said, “What do you think of hiring them as our butler and housekeeper?”
“I want to consult with Williams first. If he does not want to be the butler, I believe we will do well with Simmons and his wife. Once that decision is made, we must consult with them regarding other servants.” Alice and Giff were almost in the same position as Madeline and Harry having to hire all their servants. “Your grace, if you are ready, we should go.”
The duchess linked arms with Alice. “I cannot tell you how excited I am to ride with you.”
Giff escorted them out to where her phaeton was brought around as well as his curricle. He helped them both into the vehicle, then climbed into his. “Lead on, my dear.”
Alice glanced at their part of the house, and it occurred to her that it was almost as wide as Worthington House. Perhaps that was the reason it had not appeared small to her.
When they arrived at her home, Grace went with them to the nursery and the schoolroom. Both Giff and his mother’s eyes were wide as they took in the light and space.
“I have never seen anything like this before, Grace. You said you designed it?”
“I did. The architect I used was able to include everything I wanted. Of course, after Matt and I married, we had to make some adjustments.”
“Giff, I do not see why we cannot do the same thing in your wing of Cleveland House. After all, I would like to feel comfortable when I visit my grandchildren.”
“Mamma.” Gaia toddled out closely followed by Edward and Nurse.
“She heard your voice, my lady,” Nurse said.
Grace picked up her youngest daughter, then her son. “Your grace, I would like to introduce you to Lady Gaia and Master Edward Vivers.”
All the yearning for a grandchild could be seen in the duchess’s face. “Oh, they are adorable. That settles it. We must have the nursery done as soon as possible.”
Giff breath brushed Alice’s ear. “Because if the nursery is finished that means we’ll have a child?”
She was not going to laugh. “Apparently.”
“I’m off to the church.” He took her hand and kissed it. “I will find you after I’m done speaking to the vicar.”
Alice kissed his cheek. “I will talk to Williams, and we can make a decision as to our butler.”
After Giff left, Alice went down to the kitchen and waited until Jacques was done stirring and tasting something.
“My lady. You require my aid in hiring a chef de cuisine, non?”
“I do. I am uncertain if he will remain in Town or go to the country with us.”
“Bon.” He gave a sharp nod. “I will have someone in no more than deux jours.” Unsurprisingly, he tuned back to the stove.
“Merci.” Well that had gone well. Now to speak with Williams.
Once in the hall, she had a footman tell Williams she wanted to see him in her parlor. As expected, he arrived practically on her heels. “My lady.”
“I have a question to ask you. Do you wish to be my butler in my new home?”
“Is that the only position available, my lady?” He was so good at masking his expressions, she did not know what he was feeling, but he obviously did not want to be the butler.
“No. You can be my personal footman. That would mean traveling whenever I did.”
He seemed to relax at her suggestion. “I would prefer that position.”
Alice really had thought he would be delighted with the promotion. “Will you tell me the reason?”
He looked directly at her. “I like London for a few months, but I would rather be in the country during other times. If you require it, I could act as the butler until you find someone.”
“There is an under-butler at Cleveland House. A Mr. Simmons. I believe he will be happy with the position.”
Williams’s eyes grew round. “I am honored that you would have given me the job over one who is already expecting it. I hope I have not disappointed you.”
In fact, he had made her task easier. “Not at all. I had already decided to hire his wife as the housekeeper.”
Her footman bowed. “I am glad everything will work out.”
So was she. “Carry on. Sometime within the next few days you, Robertson, and Bertram will accompany me to Cleveland House. The wing in which his lordship and I will reside has a separate entrance, ballroom, garden, and stables.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“That is all for now.” Alice went to the desk, pulled out a piece of pressed paper and wrote a letter to the decorator asking her for an appointment at her earliest convenience. She also mentioned that she would require her husband’s skills for a new nursery and schoolroom as well. Once that was set off, she began a list. Mrs. Thorton would need to be consulted about any maids she might have that could work for Alice. Thorton might have an extra footman or two. Perhaps more. She would ask Simmons if he knew any of the Cleveland house staff that would be willing to change households. Then there were the stables. Naturally, she would take her groom, but Giff should know if he could pilfer a coachman from his father.
A knock came on the door, and Williams stepped in. “My lady, her ladyship would like to see you.”
“I will be there directly.” She set her pen down and picked it up again and wrote down that she needed scullery maids and a laundress. What else? Oh yes, find time to be alone with Giff.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
