“I understand,” the woman said, making rapid notes of the address, the size of the apartment, and Olivia’s contact information. “I don’t supply assistants for an office. Only household help. The cleaner is easy. The assistant more difficult. Perhaps you need a secretary.” That made sense to Olivia, and then the woman had an idea. “This may sound strange to you, and not what you are looking for. I saw a candidate today. He is looking for a temporary job here for three or four months. He is overqualified for your job, but he is very capable. You might want to meet him or try him. He’s a trained butler and was seventeen years in his last job, which just ended when his employer died. He ran two large homes for them in England, with full staff. He’s Argentine, speaks four languages, and is legal to work in France, or anywhere in Europe.” Olivia could easily imagine that he probably also cost a fortune, was undoubtedly ancient, and all she could think of was Carson in Downton Abbey, in white tie and tails. She wasn’t Lady Mary, and this wasn’t 1925.
“That sounds a little rich for my blood. I don’t need anyone that trained. And I have no idea what I would do with a butler. He’d want to serve me breakfast on a silver tray. I need someone who could help me get the apartment organized if I rent it. I’m sure he’s much too fancy for me. I don’t even know what butlers do, except in the movies.”
“I realize it’s a problem, and will be for most of my clients,” she said. “He’s trained for formal service, and very few people still want that here. It’s not adapted to today’s way of life, particularly in France. People don’t want a great deal of help, or formal training. He’s aware of that. He says he’s flexible, and it would be fairly short-term, so a project like this might work for him to set you up.”
“Why did he leave England, or why isn’t he looking for a job there?” Olivia was suspicious and thought he would be a hundred years old.
“He wants to go back, and I think it’s the only place where he’d find the right job and his training would be appropriate. But he has a mother here, and he says he wants to spend a few months close to her. She’s quite old. He’s staying with her, so he doesn’t want a live-in position, and he doesn’t mind working weekends. I have a copy of his reference from his employer’s son, the Marquess of Cheshire. They raved about him and seem very fond of him. I can scan it and email it to you if you like.”
“I just can’t imagine hiring a butler. What does he wear? What would he do?”
“Whatever you need him to do, I imagine. He must be quite resourceful, if he ran two large homes. He came to see me in a smart gray suit, white shirt, and tie. I imagine he’ll wear whatever you tell him to. He’s young enough.” She checked his application. “He’s forty-two years old. He certainly could be an assistant, if he’s willing to. I can ask him, and you can meet him if you wish, and see what you think. I can’t think of anyone on my books at the moment who would be capable of what you’re looking for. And since it’s short-term, maybe you could both find a way to make it work,” she said hopefully. Olivia was surprised by his age, but still couldn’t get the vision of the butler in Downton Abbey out of her head.
“I need to make a decision about the apartment tonight,” Olivia said, feeling even more confused. “I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know what I decide, and maybe you can think of someone else in the meantime. Do you suppose a maid would be able to do everything I need, a bright young one?”
“I can’t think of anyone right now, but I’ll look at my files tonight.” Olivia thanked her, hung up, and spent the night tormenting herself. Did she want to stay in Paris for a year, or was that a crazy pipe dream and should she go back to New York to look for a job? If she stayed, should she rent that apartment or was it too grand for her, or too fancy and more than she needed? But the rent wasn’t too high. And if she did rent it, could she find someone to help her set it up? Hiring a butler sounded totally insane to her, whatever he looked like. But what did it matter if he could do the job? And she had no idea what he’d charge. Probably a fortune.