That had him frown a little. A cottage hardly seemed like proper accommodation for a young lady from a good family. He knew of the single or two room tenement dwellings that were called 'cottages' in certain parts of town. But she said she lived just outside of town. That might be a little better.

"That sounds like an austere way of life, miss. I hope your home is secure at least? Do you have a guard or a male servant at least?"

It reminded her of that wayward Carrington girl. She had gone off to live on her own among the paupers. What was it with young ladies these days? If he would not keep a close eye on Alexandra's doings, he feared his eldest daughter might end up living in the same way. Such crazy notions had already infected her poor pliable young mind, and it was probably only Arthur's firm hand that kept her from doing so.

"I don't plan to be home much once I start getting more and more clients.  I have an interview with a local family working with their kitchen staff for their more regular meals with the knowledge that I am starting this business as well.  Seems a waste to have much staff for me when I won't be there much.   I've hired a maid for cleaning and the laundry to visit once a day and had hired a boy to bring in wood and lift things as needed."  She gave a little shrug.  "I might hire a housekeeper once I get more settled and have time to look into it."  She added after thinking for a moment.  "I can take care of most things myself other than that."

He did not like the sound of that: a young lady living alone with only a maid and a boy. "Well, I hope you lock your doors properly at night, and have a constable nearby, Miss. I'm afraid there's some rough folk in town, and if they hear of a lady living all by herself..." He thought. "Perhaps let one of the constables know, so they can do an extra beat in your area. Not PC Crane. He's useless. The new one... Rogers or something..."

He was trying to make the town saver with several initiatives, the latest of which was his organisation to pluck urchins off the streets, resocialise them, and give them stable homes. He had heard stories of children walking around with knives and committing burglaries. Not as much as adults perhaps, but it dealing with them was a first step. The children would grow into full-fledged adult criminals if nothing was done after all. And for the past couple of years nothing had been done, thanks to Crane.

She nodded, looking forward to that drink.  "Yes, my father was not thrilled about my not hiring a man right away either.  It just seems such a waste to have someone there when I won't be there needing anything done.  I do make sure everything is locked down the front and in the back."  She assured him.

At the mention of the constables, she looked up with interest.  "That is a good idea.  Thank you.  Could you arrange for this one you speak of come and meet with me?"  She asked curiously.    At his comments about the crime around, she started considering hiring a butler after all.   She was not living in London where the staff was always around doing this or that if someone broke in.

Arthur was slightly offended by her asking him to arrange something. Did she know who he was? But apart from his smile faltering for a split second, he did not show that his pride had been hurt. "I'm afraid the police will have too much to do to pay house visits, unless a crime has already been committed, Miss. But you could drop by their station."

He got up, walked over to the his desk and found a sheet of empty paper. Then he dipped his pen in the ink and wrote down an address. When he returned to the sitting area, he put it on the table to dry and sat down. "Here, that's the address. Do remember to ask for... PC Roberts I think it was. The tall, slim one, PC Crane, he's been constable for years, but he's the reason the town is in such a state. The new one seems more efficient."

Arthur was beginning to wonder where the butler was. His household was an embarrassment.

She took the paper.  "Thank you so much.  I am still new to the town, and this will help greatly."  She looked at the address.  Having heard the other man describe which one to talk to and which one not to talk to, she had thought he had a personal connection with someone there at the station.  She had no problem with dealing with it herself though.

She tucked the paper into her notebook.  "I suppose I should head on back home.  I will watch for the final list of dishes for each course."  She fiddled with her gloves thinking that without that there was not much she could do.

Well, this was great. She never got that madeira he promised before she left. Arthur was going to strangle his butler... He got up. "Of course, we will send it through."

Just then, the butler entered with a tray with two bottles and two glasses. The tray shook a little.

"What's wrong with you, man?! I requested those drinks ages ago!" Arthur exploded, angrier about the embarrassment his staff was causing than about the delay of the drink itself.

The tray shook worse and one of the bottles toppled over and smashed on the floor, sending wine in every direction.

Standing, she nodded.  "I am sure."  She wouldn't make him think she doubted him, but in her mind, there was concern about the whole event.  She would do her part, of that he wouldn't have reason to doubt. 

Then the butler came in and Vela was startled by the tone and volume of the Baron's voice.  Then gasped as the wine fell to the floor and the glasses broke.  "Oh my!"  She declared and her eyes went wide.   She used her empty hand to move the edges of her skirt from the spilled wine.

"You bloody idiot!" Arthur shouted, losing his temper entirely now.

The butler looked mortified. "My lord... I am -"

"Get out! I don't want to see you anymore. Send up the maids and get out!" Arthur nearly shouted, his face all red.

When the butler had hurried out, the baron turned to Vela. "Are you hurt, Miss?"

"No.  Just startled."  She was concerned about his blood pressure though.  He seemed ready to blow a blood vessel.  She glanced down at her hems.  "It didn't get on my skirt, so that is good."  She gave a slight twist of her lips in a weak positive note.