by Amelia Grey
“Miss Quick?”
Loretta turned to see her maid standing in the doorway. Bitsy was a robust, rawboned young woman with one of the softest voices Loretta had ever heard. At her first interview, Bitsy had told Loretta she knew her size didn’t match her name but that her mother never expected her to grow so tall.
Bitsy didn’t know much about being a lady’s maid, but Loretta hadn’t been left with many choices after word spread among the servants about the isolation of Mammoth House. Neither of her first two maids had been able to tolerate the loneliness of not even having a village to walk to once a week and had left her after only a few months of service.
So far, there hadn’t been any signs of restlessness or regret from the young woman, and Loretta hadn’t heard any complaints from Bitsy since she came to work almost a year ago. Not having a social life outside the other servants hadn’t seemed to bother her at all. When there wasn’t much for her to do for Loretta, she made herself useful to Mrs. Huddleston, which made her and the housekeeper happy.
“I came to tell you right away just like you asked me to,” Bitsy said. “I saw Mr. Quick riding up to the front of the house.”
“Oh, wonderful!” Loretta exclaimed excitedly, swinging the knitting over to the table beside her chair and slipping her feet back into her slippers before jumping up. “Yes, thank you for letting me know. And please stay with Farley for me.”
Loretta picked up the hem of her skirt and hurried toward the front of the house. She made it to the vestibule just as Paxton was walking through the doorway with a carefree bounce to his steps. He took off his hat when she stopped and smiled.
Her brother was such a handsome man. Tall, and thin as a reed. His thick, wavy blond hair, which had been creased by his hat, swept low across his forehead. His blue eyes sparkled and danced with a happiness that never quite seemed to leave even when he was angry or sad.
She laughed and rushed up to him. Paxton threw his hat onto the table and took hold of her upper arms. He quickly pressed a cold kiss to first one of her cheeks and then the other.
“How is my favorite sister?” he asked in his usual jovial tone.
“Your only sister is delighted, now that you’re home. You’ve never been gone so long,” she said, trying not to sound as if she were complaining or issuing a reprimand. “I was beginning to worry about you.”
“I feared as much,” he said, keeping a smile on his lips. “I should have been more considerate of you. Heath and I decided to spend a few days with Morris Hubbard. You remember him, don’t you?”
“How could I forget him?” she said, helping Paxton swing his cloak off his shoulders. “He always squeezed my fingers too tightly when he kissed my hand.”
“The big brute does forget his gentlemanly manners from time to time. I should speak to him about that.”
“Please don’t on my account. I doubt I shall ever see him again, but it might save other young ladies’ fingers if you do.” Paxton allowed her to take his cloak, and she laid it on the table beside his hat.
“I know I was gone far too long, but while we were at the Hubbards’ house we had a fierce ice-and-snow storm. And this late in the winter? Did it come this way, too?”
“Yes,” she answered, feeling a flush come to her cheeks at remembrance of that night. She would never forget the chill of the icy wind on her face or the consuming warmth of being in the duke’s arms.
“Anyway,” Paxton continued, “we stayed a few more nights as we were invited to a house party at one of their neighbors’. There was the most beautiful young lady there. Miss Anabelle Pritchard.” He laid a hand over his heart and sighed contentedly. “So lovely and such a sweet disposition. I must tell you all about her later. I hope it won’t be the last time I see her. And I think she is hoping I will call on her in the spring, which I’m happy to say is not far away now.” He stopped and his big blue eyes blinked slowly. “But what am I doing going on about ladies, parties, and such?” He reached down and kissed her cheek again. “I’m sorry I was gone long. I know how lonely it gets here for you.”
“No, no,” Loretta said, brushing off his concern. She certainly hadn’t felt lonely when the duke was with her. And with having Farley to care for now, too, she was busy. For the first time since coming to Mammoth House, she hadn’t felt lonely. “I think it’s splendid that a young lady has caught your fancy. I was just worried about you.”
“I can see that. You look tired.”
“Do I? Perhaps I am a little. Come into the drawing room where it’s warm. Shall I pour you a drink?”
He rubbed his hands together. “I do believe a spot of brandy will take the chill off my bones.”
“Good,” she offered, feeling such relief that he was home. “I want to hear all about the house party and Miss Pritchard for sure. And I have some things I need to tell you as well.”
Paxton followed her into the drawing room and warmed by the fire while she poured a measure of brandy into a glass. Watching the amber liquid flow, her thoughts returned to the duke. She remembered him standing where her brother stood now. There was the same crackling sound of a fire, though this time no ice hitting the windowpanes. There was remembrance of the duke sometimes glowering at her and at other times looking at her as if he thought she was the most beautiful lady he’d ever seen. She remembered taking sips from the duke’s glass, feeling the strength of his tight embrace, and tasting the passion in his eager kisses.
Loretta managed a hard swallow when she realized her brother had been talking to her. Replacing the top on the decanter she asked, “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I said what is it that has you looking as if you haven’t slept a wink while I’ve been gone?”
She joined Paxton in front of the fire. “Oh, please tell me I don’t look that tired?”
“You don’t look that tired.” He repeated her words, laughed, and took the glass. “More worried, actually, which is most unusual for you. I can see that something has disturbed you more than my prolonged absence. Now tell me what it is.”
What should she divulge to him first? The story about the duke or about the boy? Farley, she decided quickly. It was much simpler and better to get it out of the way.
“Do you want to sit down?” she asked.
Paxton shook his head. “I’ve been in the saddle for most of the day. I think I want to stand for a while, but you go ahead and make yourself comfortable.”
“I’ve been sitting most of the day, too.” And without further delay she said, “The night of the storm, we had a frightened boy come to our kitchen door asking for food. I knew at once by the look of him that he’d been on his own for some time. I had to take him in because it was clear he was quite ill and still is.”
Paxton’s smile faded. “An ill child. Good Lord. Lost? Have you notified his family?”
“No. I don’t know who they are. He’s been too ill to say much more than his name. Farley. The fever has stayed with him. I think he must have been on his own for quite some time because of the condition of his clothing and how thin he is.”
“That’s dreadful. We must try to find out who he is. His parents must be worried sick.”
Loretta hoped he had parents or someone looking for him, but each day that passed with no one showing up to ask about him she became more doubtful. He’d seemed very much alone to her that first night when she’d looked into his scared eyes. She’d wondered if he’d run away from someone, or if he’d been thrown away.
“Right now he just needs to get better so we can talk to him.”
“So it’s that bad?”
Loretta’s heart filled anew with compassion for Farley. “I’m afraid it is. I wish there were more I could do for him.”
Paxton put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry you’ve had to cope with this alone.”
Loretta suddenly realized she wasn’t sorry her brother hadn’t been here when Farley arrived because the duke had been with her. He’d taken control and gone after Farle
y. The duke, a man who didn’t have to lift a finger to do anything he didn’t want to do, had no qualms about helping remove the dirty, soggy clothing. Those memories would always be with her.
“Don’t worry about any of it now,” Paxton continued in his cheerful tone. “I’ll take over from here and see what I can find out about him. Have you sent Mr. Huddleston to Grimsfield to ask if anyone knows him?”
“I asked the apothecary when he came, and he didn’t know of any missing children from the village.”
“Where is Farley now?”
“In Arnold’s room. Bitsy is with him, but there’s more you need to know.”
“I can tell by your expression that it’s not good news.”
“No, that’s not true,” she answered honestly. Loretta looked at the fire for a moment before turning her attention back to her brother and saying, “Most would not consider it bad news by any standard. The Duke of Hawksthorn came to see you a few days ago.”
Paxton blinked. “Hawksthorn? To see me? All the way out here? That’s rather odd. Are you sure?”
“Quite sure. How could I not be when he asked specifically for you?”
The smile returned to Paxton’s face. “I suppose that was an inane question. I just find it surprising. I have played a game or two of cards with him when an extra player was needed at his table, but I don’t think we’ve spoken more than a greeting or two with each other. Did he happen to say what he wanted?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, he did. He wants to arrange a betrothal between you and his sister.”
Paxton laughed in his usual jovial way and then took a sip of his drink. “You look serious, but I can’t believe you are.”
“I have never been more serious.”
“Truly? The duke wants me to marry his sister?” Paxton brushed his hair away from his forehead but it fell right back. “Are you sure?” he asked again.
Loretta let out an exasperated sigh. “Paxton, please. I’m quite sure about everything I’ve said. This is not the sort of thing one makes up.”
“It’s just I don’t know what to say.” His eyes brightened with good humor again. “I’m flabbergasted.”
So was I.
“I would like to think you’d say no,” Loretta offered cautiously. “And that would be the end of it.”
“Well, of course I will.” His exuberance returned. “Yes. I’m only twenty-four. Goodness me! I haven’t ever considered the idea of marriage to anyone.”
Loretta took an easy breath. “That was my thought as well. You’re much too young.”
“But did he happen to say why he was thinking of me for a match with his sister?”
“Somewhat. He said you don’t gamble more than is in your pockets or drink more than you can hold. You don’t gossip about others, and no one has anything unpleasant to say about you.”
“All that?” His shoulders lifted and his eyebrows rose with confidence. “Now, that’s the sort of description that can give one a high step in a hurry. But you and I both know I don’t wager or play cards often because I don’t have much blunt to lose. That’s the same reason I don’t drink too much. If I want my allowance to last from month to month I must be careful. And for that same reason, I couldn’t support a wife properly on what the earl provides me.” Paxton took another sip of his drink and looked at Loretta thoughtfully for a moment. “Yet I suppose if I were to marry a duke’s sister, there would be a generous dowry. If that were the case, I wouldn’t have to worry about such things.”
Loretta folded her arms across her chest and glared at him. “Paxton?”
“No.” He chuckled. “I mean I won’t do it, of course. I’ve said it. But I suppose I will have to think about it. Don’t you agree? Or, no. I’ll just wait and hear what the duke has to say to me. That will be the best thing to do, right? First thing tomorrow morning I’ll ride to London and see what the duke’s intentions are.”
“No,” Loretta said.
Paxton lifted his free hand in the air. “Of course! What was I thinking? Yes, dear sister, you’re right. Say no more. I was thinking selfishly. The duke can wait. I’ve left you alone for far too long as it is. And you’ve been taking care of this sickly boy, too. I’ll stay here and take care of this for you first. Going to see the duke at this time is out of the question.”
Loretta shook her head and smiled. Her brother had always amused her with his sidestepping and overtalking whatever issue was at hand. “That isn’t what I meant, Paxton. You don’t have to go anywhere to see the duke because he insisted on coming back here to talk to you.”
“Here, you say? Really? I wonder why he would do that.”
The fire heated her cheeks and she took a step back. “He said he wanted to check on Farley.”
Paxton’s eyebrows rose and he brushed his hair away from his forehead again. “He knows about the lad?”
“Yes,” she said slowly, wanting to choose her words carefully. “The duke was here when Farley came to the door.”
“You didn’t bother the duke with the story of a lost boy, did you?”
“No, I wouldn’t have, but—” Loretta sucked in a long breath and let it out quickly. “I was with the duke when Mrs. Huddleston came and told me about Farley, and the duke was, of course, interested and wanted to help, as we all did. It’s still a mystery how Farley managed to get so far from the village. Anyway, the duke insisted he’d be back to check on Farley and to see you.”
Paxton looked confused, and Loretta didn’t blame him. In trying to keep her brother from knowing the duke had dined with her and stayed the night, she’d made a muddle of that explanation. Still, she didn’t want to enlighten him with any more details than was necessary. As her brother, Paxton probably deserved to know the whole story. Most of it anyway, but in some things the less said the better, and this was one of them.
“I can’t believe I missed all this. I mean it’s quite shocking when I think about it. A duke and a lost boy make their way to Mammoth House on the same day at the same time.”
“It was shocking for me, too.” She admitted to herself that it was also gratifying to have someone and something to think about other than how she was going to fill another day. “But all that aside, the duke asked that you remain here until he returns and that neither of us breathe a word about his proposal to anyone. I assured him we wouldn’t.”
“I agree. We won’t concern the earl or anyone else with this until I’ve had a chance to speak to the duke. Did he say when he’d return?”
“It should be the latter part of this week.”
Paxton downed the rest of his drink. “I must confess I’m quite flattered by his consideration and a little pleased, too, that he chose me.” Paxton eyed her carefully and suddenly asked, “Is he considering others?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think so,” she said honestly. “He seemed quite adamant about you being the one he wanted.” A niggle of worry settled between her shoulder blades. “You wouldn’t really consider it, would you?”
“Of course I’ll consider it.” Joy returned to Paxton’s features. “But no, I won’t agree to anything. I have not forgotten how wretched the arranged marriage turned out for you.”
“Good,” Loretta said, but Paxton was so unconcerned about this whole idea she wasn’t sure she believed him. Without thinking she quickly added, “Besides, the duke’s sister is probably selfish, terribly spoiled and—and…”
“And what?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest and giving her a devilish grin. “Go on,” he prompted again. “If you’re going to say it to anyone it probably should be to me.”
“All right,” she huffed. “Unattractive in some way.”
“She probably is,” he answered.
“See, even you think that.”
His smile widened and his eyes narrowed just a little. “But what if she isn’t?”
“Then she would be choosing her own husband and not allowing her arrogant brother to do it for her.”
&n
bsp; Loretta thought about her argument as Paxton just stood there smiling, nodding, not the least disturbed or alarmed by her words. He knew her argument about Lady Adele’s appearance wasn’t very solid. The duke was exceedingly handsome, so there was a good chance that his sister was beautiful, too.
That thought aggravated her all the more.
“Forget about that for now, please,” Loretta said. “I’m feeling quite ill at myself for being so unkind about a person I don’t even know. But I stand by my conviction that marriage should be about you finding someone to love. Someone your heart yearns for and you can’t live without. You came in the door not ten minutes ago talking about how lovely Miss Pritchard was and how you want to see her again.” Loretta’s heart softened. “Paxton, I want you to marry someone you adore. Someone who makes your heart sing like a verse of beautifully written poetry. Not someone who can give you prestige, wealth, and freedom from our uncle.”
“Then I shall be like a flower petal on the wind and simply float about until the duke returns and talks with me about this engagement.” Paxton smiled, laughed, and then reached down and kissed her on the cheek for the third time. “You are such a worry berry.”
“And you don’t worry about anything,” she countered, knowing she couldn’t be upset with Paxton. There was no fault in either of them. Just the hands that fate had dealt them. She was serious about everything, and he wasn’t serious about anything.
“For now,” Paxton said, “the offer has not been made to me. I must respect the duke and listen to what he has to say.” He extended his glass to her. “Now, be a good sister to your only brother and pour me another brandy. I have a lot to think about.”
So did Loretta.
My Dearest Readers:
It is with great anticipation that we await the first ball and the first dance of the Season to begin. Not only will we have the Duke of Hawksthorn’s sister, Lady Adele, making her debut, but I have it on good authority that the Duke of Griffin’s sister, Lady Vera, will return for her second Season to continue her foray into the marriage mart. But handsomely garbed gentlemen and fashionably gowned ladies twirling on the dance floor will not be the only thing swirling this year. Rumors still abound that mischief is in the air. And said mischief could be directed against Lady Adele and Lady Vera because of their brothers’ past misdeeds as the Rakes of St. James.