Coulson's Wife (The Coulson Series) by Anna J. McIntyre Read Free Book Online

out.”
    “Thank you.” Mary Ellen
flashed a smile. Snatching a biscuit from her plate, she tore off a small piece
and popped it into her mouth.
    A few minutes later
Mrs. Parker entered the dining room.
    “You wanted to talk to
me, ma’am?”
    “Will you join me for
breakfast so we can chat a moment?”
    “Thank you, but I’ve
already eaten.”
    “Perhaps some coffee
then?”
    “Yes ma’am, if that’s
what you’d like. I’ll fetch an extra cup.”
    “That’s not necessary.”
Using her empty and unused coffee cup, Mary Ellen poured the housekeeper a cup
of hot coffee and slid it across the table to the older woman.
    “Shall I get you another
cup?” The housekeeper offered before sitting down.
    “No thank you. I’m
really not much of a coffee drinker.”
    Mrs. Parker nodded and
sat down at the table.
    “I imagine Lily’s told
you I’ve my room pretty much torn up.”
    “Yes.” Mrs. Parker smiled.
“She did mention something about it.”
    “I wanted to reorganize
my room. I don’t mean to offend the staff — you had everything put away so lovely — but, well, it wasn’t how I wanted it organized and
since it’s my room. I hope there are no hard feelings.”
    “No, of course not. But
why don’t you let us help you? You can tell us just where you want things.”
    “No!” Mary Ellen didn’t
intend to blurt out the word so enthusiastically. She blushed and then took a
deep breath before continuing. “No, I’d rather do it myself. Please don’t take
this personally. But you see, I was raised with ten brothers. With a household
full of curious and rambunctious boys, I learned to fight for — and treasure — my privacy. I simply don’t like
other people going through my things — regardless
of the intent. I know that may seem a little strange to you, but I hope you
understand.”
    “It’ll make it a little
awkward for us to do our job.” Mrs. Parker hadn’t intended to voice her thought
but she spoke before thinking. Hastily she added, “But of course, whatever you
wish, Mrs. Coulson.”
    “Like I told Lily, I’m
perfectly capable of keeping my rooms clean. If there’s a problem with my
husband when he returns, I’ll handle it.”
    “Whatever you say.”
    “Thank you, Mrs.
Parker. Mr. Hunter’s taking me for a ride after breakfast. He tells me I need
to get out of this house, so I’m afraid I’ll be leaving my room in a frightful
mess. But I promise I’ll get back to it when I return. I’d just appreciate it
if the staff would simply ignore it for the moment.”
    “Certainly. And I
agree, a ride would be good for you. It might be rather warm later this
afternoon, but I imagine it should be nice this morning. Mr. William has always
been a considerate young man.”
    “Have you known him
long?” Mary Ellen found it quaint how Mrs. Parker called him Mr. William ,
instead of Mr. Hunter.
    “Yes. Actually, I’ve
known both men — Mr. Randall
and Mr. William, since they were young boys. I used to work for the elder Mr.
Coulson.”
    “My husband’s father?”
    “Yes.”
    “I understand my
husband’s parents were killed in a house fire.”
    “Yes. It was when Mr.
Randall was away at college. All very tragic. I was off that day and when I
returned, the main house was burned to the ground. It was horrific, really. Mr.
Randall lost his parents and both his siblings. Two members of the staff were
also killed.”
    “Oh, my goodness! What
caused the fire?”
    “Some sort of furnace
explosion, I believe.”
    “Was it on this
property?” Mary Ellen had heard her father mention the house fire. She’d never
discussed it with her husband.
    “Oh no, it was in Kentucky.”
    “I did wonder, since
this house seems fairly new. I thought perhaps it was built on the same
property.”
    “No. The family was
from Kentucky. The elder Mr. Coulson raised horses.”
    “Really? But my husband
doesn’t have any horses here.”
    “No. Mr. Randall never
cared for horses much. He was thrown