“And this is Madame Petit’s room,” Jessup opened a door that led out of Oliver’s small dressing room.

Both Serena and Nounou paused in the doorway. The room was small but cozy, luxuriously decorated in shades of rose, gold, and rich chocolate brown. The bed’s canopy was a lovely garden tapestry and the entire suite was far beyond what a nurse or governess could expect.

Nounou remained uncharacteristically silent so Serena spoke. “Why, this is a charming room, Jessup.”

Jessup’s heavy lids were too low to see the direction of his gaze, but Serena would have sworn he was watching his French nemesis.

Serena left Nounou and Oliver to settle in and followed Jessup back to a suite of rooms not far from the ones she had occupied before. Her trunks already awaited her and a young girl was unpacking them.

“Susan will see to your personal needs while you are here, Mrs. Lombard.”

Serena could tell by the infinitesimal tightening of Jessup’s mouth that he’d noticed her lack of a lady’s maid and would not permit such a thing to stand while he was in charge.

“Thank you, Jessup. Hello, Susan.”

The girl flushed and bobbed a curtsy.

“Would you care to have a bath before you eat, madam?”

“I’ll just change and freshen up. I don’t think Oliver will be awake much longer, so perhaps I will bathe after we have eaten our evening meal.”

Jessup bowed and took his leave.

***

Later that night Serena realized she was far too anxious and excited to sleep. After tucking in Oliver and reading him a story she decided to do a little exploring. In spite of the house’s rather fantastical external appearance the layout was quite logical: a central section containing a grand entryway, a wing with kitchens, laundry, and servant quarters, and another wing for family.

Every part of the house she had seen was scrupulously clean and ridiculously well-lighted. When she had asked Jessup about the excess of candles, he’d said it was on Mr. Lockheart’s explicit instructions.

“But there are even candles in the rooms people rarely use.”

“Yes, madam. And they are to remain lighted all night when he is here. He has indicated I might extinguish whatever candles I choose in his absence. His London house is lighted thus at all times—in case he might make an unexpected appearance.” He’d hesitated a moment before continuing. “Mr. Lockheart is a very easy master, but there are a few areas in which he is rigid. He is excessively fastidious about his person and surroundings. I have found it best to always leave any items exactly where he places them.”

Serena had understood his meaning. She was to live here, but not to treat it as her own property.

As if he had heard her thoughts Jessup added, “He is only so precise about his own quarters and the area in the library he uses as his study.”

Yes, Serena had seen his desk and the area around it; it had been an oasis of calm. So, his own tastes were naturally elegant. Serena thought his house would have been far more appropriately decorated if he had trusted his own neat and simple style rather than Sandy’s.