“What on Earth is he babbling about for so long?”

“It’s about those houseguests coming to live here at Wentworth Hall.”

Maggie addressed Nora’s face in the mirror. “Houseguests?” she asked. “Coming here? Whoever could they be? And how long will they be staying?”

“The Fitzhughs. Don’t know more than that,” Nora mumbled, holding a couple of pins in her mouth as she arranged Maggie’s hair. “There,” she said, admiring her handiwork.

Nora went off to take care of Lila, and Maggie headed down the hall. From the curved central staircase she could see the immense lobby below on the main floor of the estate. Most of the indoor staff of about thirty was assembled and listening to Lord Darlington’s address. Craning over the balcony to hear his words, they came to her in a low drone. The staff could see her, though they dared not give any indication of it, but Lord Darlington’s back was to Maggie and so he continued undisturbed.

Her father was dressed in a navy blue, single-breasted waistcoat, vest, and pants. His crisp white wing-collared shirt was nestled beneath a perfectly done black bow tie. His black shoes were polished daily and gleaming. As she descended the stairs, Maggie noted that the ever-widening bald spot on his head also held a shine and it amused her to imagine his manservant, Gerald, polishing it. Maggie would not put it beneath her father to request such a service.

“Are there any questions about what I have just said?” Lord Darlington asked the staff as Maggie settled on the stairs behind him.

“None at all, sir,” Percival the head butler spoke for the others, standing with his usual square-shouldered perfect posture. “The young Fitzhughs shall be cared for with no less diligence than if they were His Royal Highness King Edward himself. We look forward to attending to their every need no matter how major or how minor. You can count on us, sir.”