Deception by Amanda Quick Page B

can get those three hellions to the table. They’re never on time for meals. Always got an excuse.”
    “I see,” Jared said. “In that case, Mrs. Bird, dinner will be at six tonight and every other night. Anyone who does not appear at the table on time will not eat. Is that clear?”
    Mrs. Bird glanced back at him with a somewhat startled look. “Aye, it’s clear enough.”
    “Excellent, Mrs. Bird. You may go now.”
    She glared at him. “And just who’s givin’ the orders around here now, I’d like to know?”
    “Until further notice, I am,” Jared said coolly. He saw Olympia’s eyes start to widen. “On behalf of my employer, of course.”
    “Bah. I doubt ye’ll be givin’ orders long,” Mrs. Bird declared as she stalked out of the room.
    Olympia bit her lip. “Pay no attention to her, Mr. Chillhurst. She’s a bit brusque, but she means well. Indeed, I don’t know how I could have gotten along without her. She and her late husband were employed by Aunt Sophy and Aunt Ida for years, and she has stayed on with me. I am quite grateful to her. Not everyone wants to work for me, you see. I am considered rather odd here in Upper Tudway.”
    Jared saw the faint flicker of old loneliness that appeared in her eyes. “Upper Tudway is no doubt unaccustomed to having a woman of the world in its midst,” he said.
    Olympia smiled wryly. “Very true. That’s what Aunt Sophy and Aunt Ida always used to say.”
    “Do not concern yourself. I’m sure Mrs. Bird and I will deal well enough with each other.” Jared took a sip of his tea. “There is another matter I wish to speak to you about, Miss Wingfield.”
    Olympia’s gaze narrowed in concern. “Have I forgotten something? I fear Mrs. Bird is correct. I am always overlooking some annoying detail that seems extremely trivial to me but which everyone else believes to be vital for one reason or another.”
    “You have overlooked nothing of importance,” Jared assured her.
    “Thank goodness.” Olympia relaxed back in her chair.
    “Your uncle asked me to inform you that in addition to the items that are to be sold, he has also sent along several volumes. One of them is an old diary.”
    Olympia’s natural air of delightful distraction vanished in the blink of an eye. Her attention was riveted. “What did you say?”
    “There is a volume known as the Lightbourne diary in the shipment of goods, Miss Wingfield.” Jared did not have to wait long for the reaction.
    “He found it.”
Olympia sprang to her feet. Her face was flushed with excitement. Her eyes glowed with the brilliance of a turquoise flame. “Uncle Artemis found the Lightbourne diary.”
    “That is what he said.”
    “Where is it?” Olympia demanded eagerly.
    “Packed in
one
of the trunks or crates I brought with me in the carriage. I’m not certain which one.”
    Not that he hadn’t been tempted to look for it. But the truth was, there had been no opportunity to stop and search for the diary after the ship had made port. Jared had secured a carriage and the two guards, loaded the crates and trunks aboard, and traveled through the night from Weymouth. He had not stopped until he hadarrived at Upper Tudway. The risk of highwaymen had seemed preferable to the risk of having the goods pilfered by thieves at an inn.
    “We must unpack the carriage at once. I cannot wait to see the diary.” Olympia was bubbling over with enthusiasm and excitement.
    She rounded the desk, picked up her skirts, and flew toward the door.
    Jared watched, bemused, as she dashed out of the library. If he was going to be obliged to live in this chaotic household for a time, he would have to establish his own rules and prepare to enforce them, he told himself. There was no substitute for an orderly routine.
    He must start as he intended to go on.
    Alone in the library, Jared calmly finished his tea. Then he put down his cup, pulled out his watch, and consulted the time. Ten more minutes before his young charges were