A Prudent Match by Laura Matthews Read Free Book Online

young man in the neighborhood here whom you should not like to leave. Or . . .”
    “Oh, I would like nothing better than to work at Salston!” the young woman declared. “May I? His lordship wouldn't object?”
    It had not occurred to Prudence that her husband might object. Why should he? The choice of a personal servant was surely entirely hers to make. But she hesitated, just long enough to make Tessie take a step backward and say, “It's of no consequence, truly. I see that you were just considering the possibility and . . .”
    “Tessie, is there some reason you feel Lord Ledbetter would object to your working at Salston?” Such as, that you or one of your sisters has been in his keeping, or something on that order? Prudence hated this direction of her mind, but the question had occurred to her and she did not wish to commit a truly egregious faux pas .
    “Why, no, ma'am. But Salston is such a large, elegant establishment, and most of the servants come from the immediate neighborhood. Perhaps his lordship wouldn't like the daughter of an innkeeper to serve there.”
    Prudence was torn. She did not wish to displease her husband, and she had no knowledge of his hiring policies. But it seemed to her that she would do best—as his sister had suggested—to start out as she meant to go on, at least in this matter of whom she would surround herself with. Prudence did not mean to consult her husband on these domestic decisions, unless it was clear that Salston heritage was somehow involved. And she very much doubted that such a thing could apply to her choice of a dresser.
    “Why don't you send your mother to me, Tessie?” Prudence suggested. “The two of us can talk the matter over and come to a decision, if that will be satisfactory to you.”
    “Yes, ma'am.” Tessie dropped her a curtsy and hurried from the room.
     

Chapter Five
     
    "I don't understand," Ledbetter said. He had found his wife in the private parlor, looking a little peeked but not otherwise unwell. His brows drew together in a frown as he drew his gloves impatiently through his hands. "You've hired the serving girl from the Crown and Sceptre for your abigail?"
    His bride regarded him with a steady gaze. "Yes, that's correct. She's the Grangers' daughter, she's almost twenty and her mother has agreed that she may come."
    "She can't possibly have any experience as an abigail. Mrs. Collins can help you find a local girl who will serve you better."
    "But I have already hired Tessie," Prudence said with exaggerated patience. "Are you telling me that I may not hire whomever I wish?"
    "Of course not." Ledbetter felt he was being put in an untenable position. He tried reasoning with his impulsive bride. "But you know, my dear, that in coming to a new household you would make a very favorable impression on Mrs. Collins if you were to trust her judgment on who would best serve you at Salston. She is a very knowledgeable woman, who has guided the household for more years than I can remember. I had thought you intended to rely on her when you decided not to bring your abigail from home."
    "Perhaps I did, but I was very taken with Tessie Granger. It will be a step up in the world for her, and I feel she will appreciate it and make the most of it." Her brows rose questioningly. "Is there some particular reason you don't wish me to have Tessie Granger at Salston?"
    He found her question irritating. Surely he didn't have to have a reason for not wanting the girl to be his wife's abigail. Hell, the child looked like she should still be in short skirts—if it was the one he thought it was. Ledbetter felt certain the Grangers had more than one daughter. He drummed his gloves against his thigh in an excess of frustration. "How would she get to Salston? You don't intend for her to share the carriage with us, do you?"
    Astonished, his wife exclaimed, "Of course not! Her father will drive her over at the end of the week." She rose and stood facing him, a slightly