Read Sons of the Wolf for Free Online Page B

explained his plan. The butler accepted it with his usual frozen calm, but I think he was pleased. A housekeeper might resent being supplanted, but William probably has more than enough to do being butler and valet. I will begin tomorrow by going over the domestic offices with William. Later I will introduce Ada to a few wifely duties, just for the fun of it; she can hardly go riding without me, in any case.
    That was a strange word he used-connoisseur. Of what, pray tell? I am such a fool. I looked in the mirror-and saw the same swarthy, black-browed face. He was only trying to be kind.
    May 9
    I am weary tonight, but filled with a pleasant sense of duty done. I have been a model housekeeper today.
    William and I went over the entire house. The walk alone would have been wearisome; it is an enormous establishment. And full of people-I felt like a child in a fairy tale, who wakes at midnight to find her room populated by busy elves. How selfish human beings are; we simply accept our comforts and pleasures without ever asking whose hands produced them.
    There are a dozen housemaids, round, red-cheeked girls whose Yorkshire accent is so thick they might be speaking another language. There are a cook, laundry maids, a dairy maid, footmen, grooms, two coachmen, herdsmen, shepherds. . . .
    Luckily I have nothing to do with the outdoor servants; the inside group is big enough to daunt me. I recognized three of the maids, having seen them in the corridors, and one of the footmen looked vaguely familiar. It will take me weeks just to learn their names!
    The cook interests me, perhaps because I can understand about half of what she says, in contrast to the others, who are completely unintelligible. She looks like a cook; they ought to proclaim the worth of their wares in their persons. Mrs. Bennett is heavy rather than fat, and her brown eyes have a certain shrewd intelligence. She was quite affable, especially after I rejected her suggestion that I make out the bill of fare. Her selections please me well enough, and I told her so. If I have a special dish I wish served, I will notify her; otherwise she may manage her kitchens as she pleases. The duties certainly will not be onerous. William has the place running like a well-oiled clock, and the equipment is superb-all the most modern conveniences.
    Candidly, I think I shall find the whole business rather dull. But I am determined to do well at it; I would hate to have Mr. Wolf son look at me as he looks at Julian. . . .
    May 10
    The last entry was interrupted by an enormous yawn which threatened to spill the entire contents of my pen onto the page in one big black blot. I took the hint and went to bed, for the subject of Julian and his father is difficult enough to require my full waking concentration.
    I saw them together for the first time at the dinner table. Julian had kept to his room for nearly a week, with a slight cold, according to the message he sent me through William. His father rarely dines with us, preferring a tray in the library. I suspect he dislikes having his infirmity emphasized, as it is at the conclusion of every meal. He cannot rise when Ada and I leave the room.
    That evening we were greeted by sweet strains of music when we came down to the drawing room. Ada, who is fond of Chopin, darted ahead of me with an eager exclamation. We found Julian seated at the pianoforte. He smiled at us but continued playing until he had finished the ballade.
    "Evening dress becomes him. Above the severe black and white, his fair skin and pale hair resemble a delicate watercolor. He is tall and rather slight; as he bowed over Ada's hand, I could not help noticing how well they looked together. But I suspect that his languid looks are a fair indication of his health, whereas Ada, who appears fragile as a flower, is only too healthy.
    At Ada's request, Julian played several other pieces for us. His performance is excellent but a trifle pallid. Eventually I tired of the pensive airs