Chapter 22
It did not assuage the Earl of Southwell’s temper to learn that his entire household had apparently become enamoured of his ward. He had hoped that the girl would behave to them with respect, but for her have become so universally adored was unexpected and not a little disconcerting.
As he had held interviews with the various senior members of his staff, he found himself increasingly impressed and exasperated. The girl seemed to have become embroiled in scrape after scrape, yet had emerged from each one covered with glory.
She had assisted with the childbirth of one of the kitchenmaids. She had managed to get Satan to accept a saddle and rider. She had helped the stable boy Juan to write and send a letter home.
Her nervous companion had been coaxed onto horseback for the fir
