Never Doubt I Love by Patricia Veryan Page B

don’t allow no—what she calls ‘flirty-fying’ among her servants.”
    â€œShe says ’twould turn our thoughts to—to sinful behaviours,” put in Gorton tearfully. “When we’d oughta be thinking of her.”
    Incredulous, Zoe said, “But surely you wouldn’t think of that all the time?” She saw Stone’s eyes widen, and her face flamed as she amended hurriedly, “What I mean is—are you obliged to think of my lady every minute of the day and night?”
    Gorton tore at her handkerchief and nodded. “May lady says that them as works for her pay belongs to her, and she don’t want her servants having no indecent distractions.”
    â€˜Good gracious,’ thought Zoe. She said, “But you are able to meet on your days off, no?”
    â€œI only get a afternoon, Miss,” said Stone. “And that has to be fit in when I’m not wanted. And Elsie gets one day a month. It’s”—he gulped and his face became red, but he persisted doggedly—“it’s awful hard, Miss, when a man’s found the—the One And Only Woman, and she’s give up her—her heart in return, as you might say.”
    Zoe looked from one to the other. Who would have dreamed that the rigid and prim Gorton should be concealing a passionate attachment? Or that behind Cecil Stone’s stolid and commonplace exterior beat the heart of an ardent lover?
    Misinterpreting the astonishment in the young face, Gorton blurted out, “Oh, Miss, I know you must think ’tis shocking, but—I do so love my Cecil! And to not even be able to say a word to him hardly, for weeks on end, is very sad. I—I don’t even dare smile at him, for fear Mr. Whipley should see! He wanted his sister to be your abigail, and he’d like nothing better than to tell Lady Julia I’m a evil woman!”
    â€œHe’s a toadying sneak, he is,” growled Stone.
    Improper as it was, Zoe could not judge his observation to be unfounded. Lady Julia’s personal footman was soft-spoken, fastidious in the matter of his appearance, and the soul of devotion to his mistress. But there was a trace of sly amusement in Whipley’s dark eyes when they rested on Zoe Grainger, causing her to feel uneasily that she was being laughed at. No, it was not hard to believe the man would carry tales.
    She asked thoughtfully, “Why do you not seek work elsewhere? Surely you could go to some post as man and wife, and not be obliged to be separated?”
    They looked at each other.
    Gorton sniffed, and dabbed at her eyes.
    Stone said reluctantly, “I got mustered out of the army after Culloden, Miss. I couldn’t find a situation. So many men was looking for work. I come nigh to starving. I—I snabbled a coney down at Sundial Abbey, and got caught. I could’ve been transported, or hanged, but her la’ship’s steward is a kind man and give me a chance as a groom. Last winter I was made Lady Buttershaw’s coachman. Then someone give me away. Her la’ship was proper vexed and I’d have been sent packing to say the least of it, if Lady Julia hadn’t of spoke up for me. The end of it was that Lady Buttershaw says so long as I please her, she won’t turn me off. But—if I was to try and leave, Miss…” He shrugged helplessly.
    Absorbed by their discussion, none of them had heard the arrival of another carriage, but now a bell rang stridently. Above a flurry of chatter, Lady Buttershaw’s voice was upraised. “Miss Grainger? Where on earth are you got to? Botheration! Hackham! Go and fetch Miss Grainger.”
    Gorton cringed and clasped both hands to her mouth. Stone paled again.
    Snatching up a book, Zoe hissed, “Blow out the candle!” and went into the corridor.
    Hackham was sprinting in the direction of the stair hall. A swirl of green velvet was vanishing into the withdrawing room. Zoe