Chapter 4:
The Duke and the
Doctor
After she’d been
properly introduced to the rest of the staff, Ellen Barrett knew that her
initial instincts had been correct. She’d
been right to interview at No. 65 Belgrave Square and she was confident that
her time in the household would be comfortable and enjoyable.
Overall, the
household staff was pleasant and unassuming with the possible exception of the
under-house maid, Hortence, who couldn’t seem to be bothered to smile for the
new governess nor, even, say a word of welcome.
The amusingly-named, Mrs. Pepper, was gruff, but Ellen could tell that
the woman was possessed by a desire to mother all around her. Within seconds of their introduction, Mrs.
Pepper had presented Ellen with a fresh cup of tea and a warm ginger biscuit.
“Don’t be
assumin’ I got time to be waitin’ on ya all the time, Miss.” Mrs. Pepper snapped as she added a second
biscuit to Ellen’s plate. “I got a whole
household to feed. And, the Duke’s
always hungry!”
“I certainly
appreciate that you’ve taken the time to give me such a delicious treat,” Ellen smiled, leaning against the large
wooden table in the center of Mrs. Pepper’s kitchen.
“Well, then,”
Mrs. Pepper smiled. “I’m sure I don’t
mind at all.”
“Cooks…” Ellen thought to herself.
Upon finishing
her snack, Ellen had—with Gamilla—approached Mr. Speaight about the possibility
of Gamilla serving as nursery maid in addition to her duties as parlor maid.
“I had rather
planned on Hortence serving in that role,”
Mr. Speaight sniffed.
He tried
desperately to project an air of detached officiousness, but Ellen could see
the bemused twinkle in his eye and knew that he was going to be her ally.
“Sir, Hortence
already got so much for to do,” Gamilla
replied shyly. “And, I don’t think she
wants to be workin’ in the nursery, too.”
“What about Vi?” Mr. Speaight asked. He was aware that Ellen could see he was
teasing Gamilla. “She has more
experience. She might be better able to
balance so many duties.”
“Mr. Speaight,
Sir,” Gamilla began. “Vi is the upper-house maid. Should Charles or Gerard be unable to serve,
she’s got to be ready to fill their places…”
Gamilla’s eyes became moist.
“Besides,
Sir, I know the baby. I done known him
since just after he was born almost.”
“I am aware,” Mr. Speaight said softly. “Very well, Gamilla. I have no objections, and, frankly, I’m sure
that Hortence will be relieved.”
“Oh, thank you,
Sir.” Gamilla chirped.
“Yes, thank you,
Mr. Speaight.”
They all grinned
at one another for a few seconds. Ellen
truly felt at home. Their moment was
interrupted by a bell ringing from the ebonized and gilt panel of labeled bells
which was framed above the archway to the staircase to the upper floors.
“Drawing room.” Charles announced from the rear of the clean,
white-washed servants’ hall. “I’ll go.”
“No, Charles. I shall go.” Mr. Speaight shook his head. “You work on that silver with Gerard. Spit-spot, the two of you—into my pantry.”
Charles nodded,
swatting Gerry playfully across the shoulder.
Gerard, who was seated near the central fireplace, grabbed Charles by
the elbow and squeezed.
Ellen couldn’t
help but chuckle at the antics of the two men.
Their horseplay reminded her of her brothers. She missed them terribly.
“You gotta do
the spoons.” Gerard grinned. “I hate doin’ the spoons.”
“Fine, but you’ll
have to do the candelabras.” Charles
teased.
“I don’t mind.” Gerard nodded.
The two men
paused and looked at Ellen.
“Welcome, Miss
Barrett. We hope you like it here.” Charles said softly and self-consciously.
“I’m sure I
will, Charles.” Ellen nodded. “Thank you.”
“I gotta say,” Gerard added, “I’m glad you’re not some
crusty ol’ nanny what thinks she’s better than the rest of us. I was scared you might be.”
“I’m glad to be
a relief.” Ellen laughed.
Gerard took a
step further. “And, thanks for lookin’
out for Gamilla. She’s a special lass,
she is. I know how she loves Master
Colin. I won’t forget how kind you been
to stick up for her.”
“It’s really my
pleasure. I like Gamilla.” Ellen replied, patting Gamilla’s arm. She noticed the affectionate exchange of
glances between Gamilla and Gerard.
“We all do,
Miss.” Gerard winked.
“Come on, then.” Charles barked. “If we don’t get to that silver, Old Speaight
will have our heads.”
“Don’t be
disrespectful.” Mrs. Pepper spat from
across the kitchen.
“Sorry, Mrs.
Pepper.” Charles grinned.
“Now, you finish
up your tea, Miss, and get on. I can’t
have all you lot clutterin’ up me kitchen.”
Mrs. Pepper grumbled. “Where is
that Jenny?”
“She’s in the
scullery with Ethel.” Gamilla responded.
“What for?” Mrs. Pepper fumed.
“Ethel needed
help, Mrs. Pepper,” Gamilla
explained. “She had all them pots for to
finish.”
“Jenny’s here to
help me--not Ethel, the scullery maid!
Bless my soul, but those two girls are gonna be the death of me yet!”
With that, Mrs. Pepper stormed off into the scullery which was located
through the archway behind Mrs. Pepper’s range.
Gamilla chuckled
and shook her head.
“Gamilla!” Mr. Speaight snapped as he came back
downstairs. “Just because I’ve allowed
you to be nursery maid doesn’t mean that your other duties don’t need
attention. I’ve just come from the
drawing room and, frankly, I was appalled that the flowers on the center table
are wilting!”
“I’ll get right
to it,” Gamilla yelped. “Good afternoon, Miss.” She smiled at Ellen.
“I’ll see you
later, Gamilla.” Ellen whispered.
“As for you,
Miss Barrett.” Mr. Speaight
bellowed. “I am aware that I have no
jurisdiction over you. As a governess,
you exist on a plane separate from the rest of us, but since you’ve declared a
desire to associate with us, I feel I must warn you that the maids cannot be
disrupted in their work.”
“Of course, Mr.
Speaight.” Ellen replied. She couldn’t keep herself from smiling,
however, because despite his stern talk, his eyes twinkled as if he was
thinking of a naughty joke.
“Very well.” Mr. Speaight nodded. His expression softened. “His Grace has asked for you. The Duke and the Doctor are in the drawing
room. They’re engaged in entertaining
Master Colin and the Dog Toby.”
“May I ask a
question?”
“Of course,
Miss.”
“Why does
everyone refer to the dog as ‘Dog Toby.’
Why not simply ‘Toby’?”
“Because, Miss.” Speaight stammered. “That’s his name.”
“It’s just that
it reminds me of the puppet shows—you know, Punch and Judy. Mr. Punch calls his dog, ‘Dog Toby.’”
Speaight
narrowed his eyes. “I want nothing more than for us to get on as
friends, Miss. If you wish the same, you’d
do well to remember that we don’t discuss the goings-on upstairs. It’s not our place to question anything that
our betters do.”
“I apologize.” Ellen said quickly. “One of my greatest faults is that I’m
terribly curious. I should know
better. I’m always asking questions I
shouldn’t.”
Speaight’s
expression softened again. “I do
understand. Let me just say, Miss
Barrett, that we all have questions about the Duke and the Doctor. We are all aware that Society is curious
about the affairs of our household. His
Grace, however, is a very private individual, and one who is very highly
regarded by the Crown. We must respect
that privacy even though we may wonder about…things.”
“I am terribly
sorry.”
“There’s no harm
done, Miss.” Mr. Speaight sighed. “The Duke and the Doctor…they’re fine
men. You’ll never meet two kinder
gentlemen. But, they have secrets. To be sure, I’ve wondered about some of the
things I’ve seen and heard. His Grace is…for
lack of a better word…unusual. But, it’s
that nature which makes him such a fine gentleman. Dr. Halifax is very protective of the
Duke. Perhaps it’s because His Grace is
an artist. As a jeweler, he is given
over to a particular sort of genius which the rest of us couldn’t understand. It’s often said that genius, especially
artistic genius, makes a man a bit strange.
You will see a good many peculiarities in this house. I’ve learned not to question them because, in their way, they are rather
charming and delightful.”
Ellen nodded.
“Charles and
Gerard—they know more about the Duke and the Doctor than I do. Gamilla as well. They all share a history. Yet, they’re very silent about it. You see, Miss Barrett, I too am curious. I wonder about the things that I hear and
see. But, I know that I must ignore
those questions and do my job. I hope
you don’t find me pedantic, and, certainly, I didn’t mean to scold you. However, it’s my responsibility to protect
the sanctity of the household.”
“I understand
completely.”
“Now, then, you’d
best not keep them waiting.” Mr.
Speaight smiled. “His Grace tends to
worry if he becomes impatient.”
“I shall go
right away.” Ellen nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Speaight.” With that, Ellen hurried up the stairs.
Mr. Speaight
sighed as Mrs. Pepper returned from the larder.
She spotted him from across the kitchen.
“Where’s the
governess?” Mrs. Pepper grumbled.
“Gone to see the
masters.” Mr. Speaight replied, walking
toward her.
“She’s no
fool. I can see she’s gonna want to know
more ‘bout why the Duke is the way he is and why the doctor protects him so.”
“Don’t we all
wonder, Mrs. Pepper?”
“All I wonder ‘bout
is when the butcher’s gonna bring me chops.”
Mrs. Pepper muttered.
“I’m not
surprised.” Mr. Speaight mumbled.
“What’s that?” Mrs. Pepper snapped.
“Nothing, Mrs.
Pepper.” Mr. Speaight smiled. “Nothing.”
Did you miss
Chapters 1-3? If so, you can read them
here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 5, Mr. Punch and the Baby, of Mr.
Punch of Belgrave Square.
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