Anyway, it was nerves that had her standing in the kitchen while servants whizzed by like a well-choreographed hive of bees.
She was to share this sumptuous tea with a visitor.
As if on cue, a firmtap-tap-tapechoed down the corridor that led to the front door.
The visitor had arrived.
“I’ll answer it,” she said, inhaling a steadying breath and willing her feet into motion. As she made her way, she found Cumberbatch seated on a high-backed chair just outside the drawing room where she and the visitor would take tea.
“Are you feeling tired today, Cumberbatch?”
Immediately, she realized her error. It was there in the contentious angle of his jaw.
Oh, dear.
“I won’t be moving from this spot for the duration of your tea, milady,” he said, confirming her fears. “You can rest assured.”
“I do so appreciate your caution, but?—”
He clenched and unclenched his right fist. “Destroyer of Worlds will be ready.”
“Let us pray his services won’t be necessary.”
Cumberbatch gave a doubtful grunt.
The door knocker sounded again.
Nerves flittering through her, Beatrix wrapped a mildly trembly hand around the handle and pulled the door open.
“I didn’t know ladies opened doors for themselves,” said Blaze Jagger, cocksure smile curving his mouth, the diamond in his left ear winking hello.
She lifted her chin a notch. “Well, I do.”
This was Blaze Jagger, and it wouldn’t do to cede him any ground.
She stood aside and allowed him into the receiving hall. She’d arranged this tea so they could talk. After all, they were family, and she didn’t really know him. Rather, she knewabouthim—which wasn’t the same thing at all.
“If you’ll follow me.” She shut the door and swept past him into the drawing room.
Of course, they would have to pass Cumberbatch to enter. From his perch, the aged valet glowered at Jagger, who appeared to take it in stride. “Cumberbatch,” he said in greeting, “how’s the day treating you so far?”
Cumberbatch grunted his reply, and Jagger nodded.
Inside the drawing room, Beatrix indicated a settee for Jagger to sit upon as she lowered herself into the one opposite. Brow lifted, he glanced around, his sharp eye undoubtedly taking in every detail. “It’s a grand old room, isn’t it?”
She gave a slow nod, sensing another observation to follow.
He didn’t make her wait long. “Not much grand in it, though.”
“You should’ve seen it before—” She bit off the lone remaining word of that sentence.
Jagger cocked his head. Of course, he would’ve caught her hesitation. “Before?”
She shook her head—freeing it from that word.
Dev.
“Suffice it to say,” she continued, “this room has looked far worse.”
