“I failed you, Your Grace. I couldn’t stop whatever thing Mr. Gilbert had planned.”
“Nonsense. Their wrongdoing does not rest on your head. I am eternally grateful you are well, Ledger.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Do not thank me quite yet. I would like to extend an offer to you.”
Ledger lifted his head, a question mark in his eyes.
“Would you be willing to return to my employ as my personal secretary?”
“Personal secretary? Not your diary secretary?”
Before, Ledger had been the secretary in charge of Tristan’s daily diary, but no one had filled the role of primary secretary—the man who would know all of the goings on within the dukedom.
“Yes, mypersonalsecretary, Ledger. It comes with an increase in pay, as well as back wages and a substantial bonus.” Here Tristan paused, darting a telling look toward the door, and the murmur of women’s voices drifting in from the parlor. “It would likely be enough for a man to marry, I should think.”
Ledger blinked. And then blinked again. His head swiveled from left to right, as if ascertaining the soundness of the reality around him.
“What say you?” Tristan extended a hand. “Will you join me?”
Tentatively, Ledger lifted his hand and shook Tristan’s.
The man’s eyes filled with tears. “You truly mean to rehire me, Your Grace?”
“Nothing would please me more. Though I do have one request?”
“Oh.”
“Please call me Kendall.”
Ledger froze at that.
“Kendall,” he whispered as if trying the name on for size.
“Precisely. It’s how I prefer my friends to refer to me.”
It took Ledger a moment, but the meaning eventually sank in.
“Friends,” he repeated, an incandescent smile brightening his face.
“Friends.” Tristan gave Ledger’s hand another firm pump. Those damn emotions swelled once more. Yes, itwasa brotherly sort of love. “I have so very few friends, you see. I can’t afford to lose one of them.”
Ledger’s eyes went glassy.
Tristan cleared his throat.
Ledger did as well.
They both looked away for a moment.
“When you feel ready, send word to Gilbert House,” Tristan said, gruffly. “I will dispatch a coach to fetch you.”
“Let me speak with Elizab—ehr, Mrs. Bertram, and I shall send you word. Thank you.” A pause. “Kendall.”
“Think nothing of it. I am merely grateful to have your keen observations and intelligent mind working on my behalf once more.” Tristan said the words simply enough, but given Ledger’s radiant smile, the man heard the affection in them.
“Anything I can do to earn my keep will be appreciated . . . Kendall.”
