As Gabby walked up the steps to the portico of her future home, it was an even toss as to whether Phoebe held on tighter to her hand or she to Phoebe’s. Her brother-in-law had almost wrenched her out of the carriage. Suddenly he seemed to be in a terrible hurry, and even now she sensed that he was practically poking her from behind in his urgency to enter the house.

The door swung open as she reached the top step. A plump man stood in the entryway, murmuring a greeting. He bowed so low that Gabby was afraid that his powdered wig might fall to the ground. And he was so meticulously dressed that for a moment she took him for the viscount. But he said hello without meeting her eyes. Mr. Dewland seemed to feel no inclination to make an introduction, simply instructing the man to fetch their belongings from the wharf.

As he took her cloak, Gabby paused and put her hand on his arm.

“Thank you,” she said smiling. “Did Mr. Dewland call you Codswallop?”

The butler’s eyes widened. “He did, my lady. That is, Miss Jerningham. My name is Codswallop.”

Thank goodness, Gabby thought. Codswallop is not nearly as pompous as he first appeared, all starched up and fussy in his livery. She twinkled at him. “I am very pleased to meet you, Mr. Codswallop. May I introduce Miss Phoebe Pensington? She will be staying with us for a brief time.”

Codswallop bowed as if he were meeting the queen. “Miss Phoebe.” Then he added, “The household is most pleased to know that you have safely arrived in England, Miss Jerningham.” He smiled before he could stop himself. “I am generally addressed as Codswallop, not Mr. Codswallop.”

“Do forgive me,” Gabby replied. “I am afraid there are many English customs that I have to learn. I have already thrown Mr. Dewland out of countenance by taking down my hair on the wharf.”

Quill broke in before Gabby could detail the hundreds of social blunders she was likely to make or had already made. “Miss Jerningham would undoubtedly like to refresh herself, Codswallop. Please direct her to her chamber, and ask Stimple to aid her.”

“I regret to say that Stimple has accompanied Lady Dewland to Bath, sir.”

Quill frowned. Of course his mother wouldn’t stir out of the house without her maid. What the devil was he to do now?

Codswallop opened the doors to the Indian Drawing Room. “I shall ring for tea,” he announced. “And I shall inform Mrs. Farsalter that Miss Jerningham is without a lady’s maid for the nonce. Mrs. Farsalter will solve this dilemma.”

“Oh, thank you, Codswallop!” Gabby smiled at the butler. “I had no idea that lady’s maids were so important in England. I’m afraid I shall have to rely on you and Mrs. Farsalter. Is she your housekeeper?”

Gabby turned expectantly to Quill, but a small voice broke in.