He shook his head. “Some of it can be fixed. The rest will have to go. Mice and rats.”
“It is unbelievable how the saddles were let to fall into ruin,” Robertson said. “I have never seen anything like it, and I hope I never do again.”
A man who looked to be in his late thirties with brown hair and eyes joined them. “Are you Bromley?”
“I am, my lord.” The man bowed.
“Will you accept the position as my stablemaster?”
“I will. The second coachman wants to know if there’s a place for him. He’s the one that drove you down to London with the fourth coachman.”
“I’ll be pleased to have them both.” Giff thought that other than a cook, that completed their staff. While they were with Alice’s family for luncheon, she spoke with the housekeeper and was able to make arrangements for three housemaids. “I expect the stable to be run in an orderly manner without the abuse Smith was known for. You should know that Robinson and Fergus will assist when they are able, but they are our personal grooms and are expected to be ready to serve us when we require them.”
“Yes, my lord. They both mentioned as much.”
“My curricle can be moved in as soon as space is ready. Her ladyship’s phaeton will come over just before the wedding. You are all invited to Worthington House for the celebration.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Bromley gave a small smile. “I’ll see to the garden key as well.”
“Good man. Carry on.” Giff lifted Alice down from the carriage and escorted her into the garden. “That went well.”
Glancing at him she tilted her head. “Do you not think someone should be held accountable for the ruined tack?”
“We have no idea how long they’ve been there. It probably wouldn’t do any good at this point.” He did plan to tell his mother what they would require.
“That is true. It is still a shame. ”At least I’ll be able to bring my saddle and the tack for my mare and the pair with me.”
“That will help.” Giff would have Fergus bring his as well.
“Let’s look at our house again.” In particular their bedroom.
He opened the back door and almost ran into Williams. What was he still doing here?
“My lady.” He handed her a letter. “This came for you right after you left.”
She opened it and shook it out. “It is from Mrs. Rollins. She and her husband can attend us tomorrow morning at nine-thirty. That is the only appointment they have for a longish meeting for the next two weeks.”
That was fast. “Tomorrow it is. I hope we can find some paper and ink.”
“Mrs. Simmons brought some over, my lady.” Roberts led the way to a heavy French desk in the morning room. “It’s here. I will take it to Mrs. Rollins when you are ready.”
Giff hoped that meant they’d have the house to themselves after the footman left. Alice made short work of the letter, and they were finally alone. Now to make love to her without ruining her hair and gown. He untied the ribbons to her bonnet. “Is that all I need to do before I remove it?”
She rolled her eyes at him and pulled out a lethal looking hat pin with a bird on one end of it. “Now it comes off.” She put the bonnet on the small square table next to her and wrapped her arms around his neck. “What do you have in mind, my lord?”
“This.” He bent his head and teased her lips open. Soon their tongues were doing a sensuous dance together. He backed her up to a sturdy-looking table, picked her up and set her on top of it. “I feel as if it has been forever.”
“Sometime three days can be forever.” She shivered as he lifted her skirt, and gasped when he touched her inner thighs.
He tried to go slowly, but when she wrapped her legs around him he almost lost himself. “I love you.”
She grabbed his head and brought it down to her. “I love you too. Make love to me.”
Later they slumped against each other. Giff noticed that although the sun was still high in the sky, it had shifted. How long had they been here? He took his handkerchief out and cleaned them both, then set about putting them to rights again. He helped her down from the table. “It’s probably time to start getting ready for dinner.”
Alice yawned. “I suppose you are right. This reminded me of bed and beds. I believe all the bedding for the stable staff must be replaced.”
Giff blew out a frustrated breath. “That dratted stable is going to cost us more than the rest of the house.”
A thrill of bell-like laughter emanated from her. “We will simply our new stablemaster to order everything. If Smith gives them trouble about sleeping where they have been, we can put them in the servants’ quarters here for a few days.” She yawned again. “I need to tell—”
“Mrs. Simmons.” Giff kissed Alice. “Come, my bride. Hopefully, our housekeeper is here somewhere.”
“They have apartments downstairs.” Alice donned her bonnet. “It would not surprise me if they are taking the opportunity to move into them.”
He was just glad no one disturbed them making love. “And I thought the next two weeks would be boring. How wrong I was.”
“Nine days now.” She kissed him. “We have a great deal to accomplish.”
They found the Simmonses in the servant’s quarters having tea. Both of them stood up with guilty looks on their faces. “I beg your pardon, my lady. I should have.” Mrs. Simmons glanced around. “I should have been doing something.”
Alice’s lips trembled. “There is not much for you to do at present. However, tomorrow you will receive some maids from Worthington House who have agreed to work here. Have you been able to convince anyone from next door to come work for us as well?”
The housekeeper nodded. “They will start tomorrow. We brought over our belongings and rearranged the furniture in our apartment. I suppose we were taking a rest before everyone else got here.”
Giff glanced at Simmons who, intelligent man that he was, let his wife do the talking. “We have footmen coming as well. They’ve been trained by the butler at Lady Alice’s home. They are all former soldiers.”
“I will arrange for the tailor who makes the livery to take their measurements.” Simmons glanced at Giff and frowned. “I don’t think I have ever seen the St. Albans livery.”
