“A penny for your thoughts, Leo,” Percy drawled behind him.
Leo glanced at the man’s reflection in the mirror. Percy reclined in an armchair near the hearth in Leo’s bedchamber, his legs outstretched and crossed at his ankles.
“I’ve nothing to say,” Leo lied.
“Untrue. You’re…” He tilted his head and eyed Leo thoughtfully. “You’re nervous about going to tea because you can’t bear the sight of your niece, as she bears a resemblance to Walter. And her governess threatens your self-imposed rules on sex.”
Leo growled, a deep scowl on his face. “Bastard.”
“True.” He gestured vaguely toward himself. “I’m here to tell you, however, that your having sex with Miss Smith won’t kill anyone.”
“Leave it alone, will you?”She’s under my employ, and I just…can’t. He couldn’t forget that.
“She is interested in you, as well.” Percy shrugged. “But if you insist, I shall leave it.”
Leo’s gaze snapped upward to meet Percy’s in the mirror, his pulse jumping.
“There,” Percy accused, pointing his finger at Leo. “That heat in your gaze is matched in hers when she looks at you. Do not tell me that you have not noticed.”
“I’ve noticed,” Leo grumbled, returning his attention to tying his sodding cravat.
The man nodded and heaved a dramatic sigh.
“There was a disturbance outside last night.”
Leonard blinked, adjusting to the abrupt change in topic. “So I surmised due to the dogs’ incessant barking. Do you know what it was?” With one last tug on the fabric at his throat, he turned to face his friend.
Percy shrugged one shoulder. “Unknown. I will walk the perimeter of the building while you are at tea, but I remain unconcerned. It was likely a nocturnal animal sniffing about for food.”
Leo nodded. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck.” Percy smirked, his eyes challenging and filled with mirth.
“Sod off.”
Percy’s low laughter followed him out the door.
Tea. Leo could not recall the last time—if ever—that he’d joined anyone for tea in adulthood.
The corridor flickered brightly with candlelight as he marched swiftly toward the staircase.
Tea!he scoffed silently. And he’d said yes, of all things.Not just yes, he reminded himself. He’d said, “I would be delighted.” Which, of course, he wasn’t. But Lizzy had been watching him so hopefully with her large blue eyes, and Miss Smith had observed him with a knowing gaze that made him want to both prove her wrongandprove her right, whatever her assumption.
Damnation, his nerves were wrought.
He reached the nursery and softly knocked on the closed door. There were hushed voices and a bark within, before the door swung inward to reveal the greeting party. Miss Smith released the door and dipped in a curtsey, which Lizzy attempted to replicate, so Leo bowed appropriately.
Both of them had altered their attire. Lizzy wore a bright white dress with yellow ribbons around the bodice, sleeves, and hem, and Miss Smith had changed into a maid’s uniform with capped sleeves, and had removed the white fichu. The frock was still modest, but the way the fabric strained against her breasts was veritably indecent. And positively delicious.
“Mr. Notley?”
Damn. He blinked, fighting the heat that he could feel blotching his chest. “I beg your pardon. I was momentarily distracted by Lizzy’s beauty.”
His niece’s face lit up in a smile, and she twirled before gripping his hand and tugging him toward an armchair.
“Come along, Uncle Leo! You sit just there.”
Miss Smith followed them, taking her seat on the settee to his left, leaving enough space for Lizzy to sit between them. The room was large and bright, the colours cheerful and childlike in their pale shades. There was a doll’s house in the corner of the room, with the dolls posed similarly to their tea service, as though Miss Smith had used them to instruct Elizabeth before he’d arrived.
