Chapter 9As soon as he entered his quarters, Percy acted upon Nathan’s advice and gathered his small staff together in the drawing-room. This consisted of his esteemed valet, plus a smart footman and parlor maid, which was quite an outlay for a single gentleman. However, Percy not only relished his home comforts but had long grasped that a reputation as a fair and generous employer retained the best quality of service.
“As you might already be aware,” he said, addressing the small line of servants, his hands clasped behind his back to conceal any trembling, “there has been a change of circumstances in my family affairs. I assure you that this does not affect your employ or your wages, and as a result, I would be pleased to retain you all. However, I understand if you prefer to seek employ
