His Lady Mistress

140 His Lady Mistressnecessary?’ Much as the woman’s attitude annoyed her, shehad been there forever and was plainly devoted to the family.She shuddered to imagine Max’s reaction when he heard thenews. She pressed on. ‘You know, I should be loath for anyof the older retainers to feel—’‘My decision is made.’ Mrs Henty appeared to have turnedinto solid rock. ‘I believe his lordship will provide me witha pension after my years of service?’Verity stared. ‘A...well, yes. Yes, of course he will. If youare quite settled on this, Mrs Henty, I’ll mention it to him,but if you...well, if you change your mind, I’m sure he’d bemuch happier for you to stay on.’The older woman’s jaw hardened. ‘Very good of you, madam.I’d take it kindly if you were to tell his lordship.’Something about her stance alerted Verity. For all her yearsof service, Mrs Henty didn’t want to approach Max herself.Why not?‘And one last thing, madam. About...Sarah.’Verity paused in the act of shutting her household notebook.‘Sarah? My maid—’‘She’s to be dismissed,’ Mrs Henty informed herbrusquely. ‘You’ll need to find ano—’Verity interrupted. ‘A moment, Mrs Henty. I’ll make thedecision if any of the maids are to be dismissed, especiallythe one who waits on me! What is Sarah’s offence? Somethingtrivial? Can she be offered another chance?’ Thethought of kicking even a housemaid out into the world toreat her. Then she remembered something. ‘Besides, Sarah isto be married. She told me so at the very start.’She watched in puzzlement as the woman’s mouth twisted.‘Mrs Henty?’The answer came. Hard and uncompromising. ‘Not anymore she isn’t. And she’s breeding.’ Her lips set in a thinline and she said no more.It was quite enough. No normal lady would even considerkeeping a maidservant who had fallen from grace in this way.