I did not aim to cause the family's staff stress, but I did so with aplomb anyway. Mrs. Rider, the housekeeper for this particular home soon found me where the maid had, looking a bit surprised, but well composed. She looked at me, and at the small bag the coach had left before departing before speaking.

“Lord Percival, I wasn't expecting you at all, was there some issue?” she asked with a rush.

“Not a particular one, but did you get a letter from my parents?” I asked in return.

“No, I can't say I've had one in the last few days, but that's hardly odd.”

I'd luckily brought the one they'd sent to me, which I handed over to her. Her brow creased a bit as she read, sighing when she reached the end.

“Indeed, while I'm not in a rush today I was hoping you might be able to go over the expenses with me early. I imagine it will be a tribulation based on how mother regards them and would prefer to get started early.”

My mother might not manage the day-to-day functions, but the expenditures were ultimately part of her responsibilities. Unlike my father who would work with those outside the home to bring in money she made sure it was all going where it was supposed to, checking finances, receipts, and the like to see that we weren't being swindled and that everything was in its place. I knew she got monthly reports from the city house, but she went into much more detail for several days every winter to check the books.

“That's no problem, but I'm afraid we don't have any of the upstairs offices opened right now. Would it be acceptable to use mine?”

“Certainly.”

Mrs. Rider's office was a small room near the female staff's dormitories. There were a number of the more expensive supplies for the house as well as bookcases of paperwork everywhere. With only a pair of seats to be had she tried to let me use the one behind her desk, but I insisted on a smaller stool instead, after all I was the guest here.

For most of the first day I worked alone, the housekeeper having other things to do. Even during the downtime of the year she still had over a dozen staff to manage and a house to run. I bent over the books, checking receipts and records.

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“I think the butcher is overcharging,” I told her when she finally returned, it wasn't much, but the costs were above what they ought to be. Only a few months into this year's work and I could see that already.

“Oh I agree, and have told your mother as much, but she wants to keep with him. There've been reports of a few of the others in town serving less than stellar meats, sometimes even different animals than they've advertised.”

“That's fair.” If they both knew then I'd leave it to them, after all I was just the fill in. “How about the staff how are they doing?”

“Well enough, we've hired a new boy to help with the coaches as the old one is now being trained as a footman. He's not up to snuff yet, but should be by the time winter rolls around.” I appreciated her candor in that. Training was an important part, and while he needed to be ready for when he would be needed if he wasn't he simply wasn't.

“Good, and the maids?” I asked, hoping to get some news on my little sister.

“Doing well, anything in particular you're worried about?”

“No, not as such. I'd like to have a word with the staff at some point individually if that's well and good. See if there are any concerns they have that I need to address.”

Mrs. Rider gave me a kindly smile, seemingly pleased that I was so interested in the well-being of the people working for me. In this world such concern was not a given, though on Earth many managers hadn't cared for their workers either. However I felt that it was important to know such things, to fix them before they became a problem. Though honestly I really was mostly concerned about one maid in particular.

“I'll see to it,” she said, nodding happily.

Satisfied that I'd gotten at least some of the housework done I retired to my private workshop. There was dust everywhere, as it wasn't somewhere I wanted any of the staff to go, but I had a few things I wanted placed here. My previous weapon had been an over-sized revolver, but my next one, oh it would be something a bit more energetic.

In my absence the materials and machines I'd gotten from the duke had been delivered, mostly piled beside the door. These I quickly moved to the places I thought they'd fit best and began working.

My first attempt at making a piece of brass was lackluster, taking longer than I'd like and giving me dimensions that were slightly off. For some applications that would be fine, but not for this one. I scrapped it and began again. Soon I'd found a rhythm, and it wasn't until a knock came from behind me that I looked away from my labors.

“Lord Percival, will you be staying for dinner?” It was Kaylee who'd been sent to check on me, and she stood there in the doorway, looking inside.

“Hmm? Oh hello there Kaylee, ah, no, but it is getting late isn't it, thank you for letting me know.” I smiled a bit despite myself as I saw her. She was still the same cute little sister she'd always been.

“Of course sir, do you need anything else?”

“No, no I'm quite well. How are you by the way? It's been some time since we've spoken.”

“I'm well sir, quite well.” I had to bite my desire to tell her not to be so formal back.

“Excellent, and your magic? Still practicing?” I asked.

“Oh, yes, though I can't do much more than make a small fire. Mrs. Rider is happy to let me use it to light the fireplaces and the ovens in the morning. So I'm getting some use of it at least.”

“Well, keep at it and I'm sure things will improve for you, and if you ever want to charge some items let me know. I'm sure I can find something for you,” I offered, knowing that I could give her a better rate than anyone else would.

“Thank you my lord,” she answered with a shy smile.

“Look at the time though, I must be off if I'm to return to the school before curfew. My thanks again for stirring me, and do be well.”

As I rushed off to return to school I wondered what she thought. Did she know what I knew? Did she think I was some odd rich boy, or perhaps inappropriately interested in her or that perhaps it was just our shared connection to her mother and my childhood nanny. At some point I'd have to find a way to tell her the truth, but I knew neither how nor when would be the right time to do such a thing.