章 77: Chapter 77

She joined the housekeeper in the dining room and was graciously allowed to place the silverware on the table. As a bachelor, Eli kept a simple table, only two forks and two spoons. Nettie had almost gotten used to that. Once they were married - if they were married - he'd be expected to entertain. The magazines had made that clear. They were going to need a lot more silver, and Diana hadn't been wrong about the china. Blast all this nonsense. Why couldn't the wealthy eat like everyone else, with one fork, one knife and one spoon?

"My condolences, Miss Nettie." Someone had informed the housekeeper of Al's death. "You let Tim or I know if there's anything we can do."

"Thank you." It was nice, Nettie thought, to feel that Eli's employees were on her side for a change. "It will be a simple, private service - just Mr. Eli and I. I can't pretend he was a good man, but he'll have a decent burial."