The Man in the Green Coat by Carola Dunn Page B

promise.”
    Gabrielle slowly made her way back to Lady Harrison’s chamber, thinking hard. There were three important points: to persuade the most pressing creditors to wait just two more weeks; to cut expenses immediately; and to start an investigation of Sir Oswald’s financial finagling.
    The first could probably be dealt with by offering a few pounds on account, though it would sadly deplete their small reserve.
    As far as Sir Oswald was concerned, she would consult Mr Everett, who already disliked the baronet and would know how to go about instigating an enquiry.
    And to save money, they must close up the town house and find a cottage in the country that could be rented cheaply for the summer. Gabrielle smiled as the idea came to her. At one stroke that would dispose of the unwanted guests, remove Gerard from the temptations of London, and provide a pleasant retreat for the long, hot summer months.
    “Madame!" she cried, bursting into the room, “How should you like to remove to the country?”
    Madame thought it a delightful notion. In no time her face was wreathed in smiles. Marie was equally approving, though no hint of a smile touched her mouth. She, however, was the one to put her finger on the weak spot in the plan.
    “ Comment,” she asked, “ est-ce que vous allez trouver cette chaumière, mademoiselle?”
    "How am I going to find a cottage? Oh dear, I hadn’t thought of that. But never mind. I have to consult Mr Everett about Sir Oswald and I expect he will be able to advise me on that, too. There may be something suitable near his family’s place,” said Gabrielle hopefully. “In the meantime, Marie, I think you should be the one to tell people that they will have to move out in two weeks because the house will be shut up.”
    A slow smile distorted the maid’s gloomy features. “ Avec plaisir , mademoiselle!’ she said. “I go at once.”
    “How shall I dismiss the servants?” wailed Lady Harrison. “I am sure they will have every right to be upset.”
    “I shall do it,” Gabrielle proposed. “Marie must come with us, of course. Mrs Hodge, and any others who have been with you a long time, should be paid their wages and told that they are to take an extended holiday. It will still cost less than trying to keep the house running. So that just leaves the footman and a few maids, does it not? I expect they will soon find new positions. So do not worry about anything, Madame. Leave everything to me!”
    Gabrielle found it more difficult than she had expected to compose a note summoning Mr Everett to her side. She had nearly decided to wait until she saw him in the normal course of things, but then Gerard came downstairs, bleary-eyed, and asked if she had settled on a course of action. He was enthusiastic about her ideas until it came to asking Mr Everett’s assistance.
    “But Gaby!” he said, shocked, “what can you be thinking of? It is not at all the thing to beg aid of a stranger in such a personal matter!”
    “Mr Everett is not a stranger—and don’t call me Gaby! The help he gave us in Dover was much more personal, and he has been most amiable ever since.”
    “It was a deal too personal. I should never have allowed him to interfere.”
    “You were in no shape to stop him, nor to help me yourself! Don’t be a nodcock, Gerard. It is perfectly unexceptionable to approach him in this.”
    He shrugged sulkily. “Do as you will, then. You always do anyway. There’s no need to insult me. I’m going for a walk to clear my head.”
    Trying to stifle her own doubts, Gabrielle dashed off a note and sent the footman to deliver it. Then she set about the unpleasant task of giving notice to the rest of the servants.
    To her relief, they all took it philosophically—except Mrs Hodge, who wept into her apron even though she was not actually being dismissed. Gabrielle had to promise that if the cottage they found was big enough, the cook should be allowed to join them in their rural exile.