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“Can’t clean the whole house alone,” Megan cut him off. “And I wouldn’t feel right leaving it all to her while I lounge around all day.”
Dallas sat on the edge of the bed, took her free hand, and pulled her to the edge of the bed. “Megan, darling. We are living a certain lifestyle now. You’ll need to get used to it.”
Megan pulled her hand away. “I appreciate that, but ye can’t expect me to do nothing.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say running a house is ‘doing nothing.’”
Megan lifted an eyebrow, waiting for him to explain.
“Yes… well… since I’m not going to be here today, you can tell the staff what to do to get the house back in order.”
“Tell the staff what to do?”
Dallas nodded. “Yes, of course.” He rose from the bed and kissed her forehead. Then he crossed the room to the mirror and adjusted his tie. “You’re the lady of the house now. Which means that everyone in the house must do your bidding.”
Megan’s lips curled into a devilish smile. “Including you?”
Dallas laughed. “Hardly.” He gave her a kiss on the forehead and whispered, “Just the staff.”
Megan laughed. “Well, ye can’t blame me fer tryin’.”
“Have fun today.” Dallas smiled, giving her one last wave over his shoulder and then headed out the door.
Megan looked down at the dress she was holding as she watched him leave. “I guess I’d better get busy.” She carried it behind the dressing screen and changed. Then she crossed theroom to the mirror and combed her auburn hair into a neat bun at the top of her head, reminding her of how she used to wear it to go to the factory. But she vowed to bathe and dress properly before Dallas came back home.
When she was ready, she headed downstairs. On the first floor, Mrs. Daly was passing by.
“Good morning, Mrs. King! What are ye doing up so early this fine morn?” Mrs. Daly chirped happily.
“I need yer help getting’ the house back in order before Mr. King comes back home.” Megan placed her hands on her hips.
“We can take care of that alone.” Mrs. Daly was holding some clean clothes. “Why don’t ye rest today?”
Megan sighed. “Mrs. Daly, if I don’t do something useful, I’m going to scream.”
“Well, I was just about to hang these up in Mr. King’s closet and then clean yer room—”
“Perfect!” Megan interrupted. “After ye hang the clothes, could ye help me today? Between the two of us, we’ll have the place spick and span in no time.”
“But, Mrs. King—”
“No buts,” Megan cut her off. She looked up and the huge lengths of fabric still hung from the top balcony. “That’s as good a place as any to start.”
She walked up the stairs as Mrs. Daly followed. Then, Megan headed over to one side of the balcony.
“I’ll be right back,” Mrs. Daly sighed as she disappeared into the bedroom to put away the clothes.
Megan knew that she was probably disrupting Mrs. Daly’s usual routine, but there were more important things to do at present. Megan unfastened one of the large lengths of white fabric and pulled it up easily. She folded it neatly and went on to the next. Megan made a mental note to save the fabric for the next party, sure that Dallas would wanted to do moreentertaining now that the party was such a success. And when that day came, she would have the staff wash and press the fabric to hang once more. There was no sense in washing it now. It would need to be done again for the next party.
When she returned, Mrs. Daly went over to the next length of fabric, unfastened it, and pulled it up, as well. Before long, she and Megan had taken down all of the fabric and had it folded in a neat stack.
“I have just the place fer this!” Mrs. Daly smiled as she picked up the stack. “Don’ ye worry none.”
“Where are ye puttin’ it? I want to save it fer the next party.”
“Yes, of course.” The older woman’s eyes gleamed. “Come along and I’ll show ye were we keep the linens.”
Megan followed as Mrs. Daly led the way to a door, glad that she was being so agreeable. Mrs. Daly opened it, but instead of revealing a linen closet, it was a small room filled with shelves. On the shelves were linens, doilies, table runners, and more. “This is the linen room,” Mrs. Daly proudly announced. “When ye’d like to change the linens in the house, ye can come in here and pick out what ye want. Then ye can tell me and I’ll take care of it.”
