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Received, A
Still, he was supportive of the earl, proud of Val’s music, and well liked by the staff. He always cleaned his plate, flirted shamelessly with Na
“Hullo, my dear.” The earl strolled into A
“Good morning.” A
“We have household matters to discuss.” His smile dimmed. “May I sit?”
“Shall I fetch the tea tray?” A
“No, thank you.” The earl took the middle of the settee, extended an arm across the back, and crossed one ankle over the other knee. “How are you coming with the Willow Bend project?”
“I’ve ordered a great deal in the way of draperies, rugs, mirrors, smaller items of furniture, such as night tables, footstools, and so forth,” A
“Pleasing is good. When will it be ready?”
“Much has already been delivered. The rest should arrive in the next few days. I understood there was some urgency about this project.”
“There is. I want it done before fall, when I’m likely to be dragooned into the shires by my dear papa for some hunting.”
“If you don’t want to go hunting, you’d best arrange something with your brothers, so when Papa issues his summons, you are otherwise occupied.”
“I’ll get right on it.”
“And have you gotten right on finding us a butler? Stenson is more in need of stern guidance than ever.”
The earl burst out laughing at that image and shook his head as he rose.
“Send me some candidates,” he said. “Their most important qualification must be their ability to withstand the duke’s inveigling. I should be on hand Monday and Wednesday next week, though I have appointments back-to-back on Tuesday. I’ll expect you to accompany me to Willow Bend on Thursday.”
“Me?” A
“Of course it’s wise,” the earl said. “How else am I to know which table goes in what room, and which drapes to hang where?”
“I can write it out,” A
“I am the owner, A
She admitted the silliness of that but not out loud.
“You aren’t afraid, are you?” He cocked his head, frowning. “It isn’t likely we’ll be stuck in a second monsoon, but we can take the coach if you’d feel better about it.”
“Let’s see what the weather portends.” A
“The property is now swarming with locals ready to do the earl’s bidding for a bit of the earl’s coin. Much of the work should be done before we arrive, but I want your eye on the finished product.”
“Very well, then. Thursday.”
“And I’ve been meaning to ask you why you always fall silent when St. Just is in the room.” He sidled a little closer and waited for her reply.
“The colonel doesn’t particularly care for me. It’s merely his tacitly stated and perfectly legitimate opinion.”
“He likes you.” The earl dipped his head and kissed her cheek. “It might be he doesn’t trust you. More likely, he simply envies me, because I saw you first.”
A
Eleven
“GOOD MORNING, YOUR GRACE.”
A
“It’s such a pleasant morning,” the duchess said. “Why not in the gardens?” A
“Can I bring you some iced lemonade?” A
“His brothers?” The duchess paused in the arrangements of her skirts and blinked once. “Can you spare a few minutes to sit with me, Mrs. Seaton?”
“Of course.” A
“Westhaven’s brothers join him regularly for breakfast? I was aware Lord Valentine was a guest here, but you include St. Just in this breakfast club?”
“I do,” A
“Is St. Just another guest in the earl’s home?” the duchess asked, frowning slightly at the roses. She was a pretty woman, even when she frowned: willowy, hair going from golden to flax, and green eyes slightly canted in a face graced with elegant bones.
“I would be more comfortable, Your Grace, did you put that question to your sons,” A
“You are protective of him,” she observed. “Or of them. That is admirable and a trait we share. Can you tell me, Mrs. Seaton, how Westhaven is going on?”
A
“He is a very, very busy man,” A
“His Grace did not always see to the details as conscientiously as he should. Westhaven does much better in this regard.” As understatements went, that one was worthy of a duchess, A
“And how is Westhaven’s health?”
“He enjoys good health,” A
“And is he treating you well, Mrs. Seaton?” The duchess turned guileless eyes on A
“He is a very good employer,” A