Heather released an uncharacteristic squeal, and Juliana clapped her hands, but Jasper’s eyes were what captured Maria’s attention. The blue deepened to cerulean, and the spots of brown grew liquid as chocolate. The realization that she could get lost in those depths cooled her ardour. She mustn’t allow herself to weaken in the face of his charm.
Jasper inclined his head. “Capital. I shall speak with your father this afternoon and post the bans on the morrow.”
“And we shall be your chaperones!” Juliana cried happily. “For I am to be yoursister, Maria!”
“Congratulations are in order,” Grace said, a thoughtful smile on her face. “That certainly seems to resolve your concerns regarding time, Maria.”
“Yes, it rather does,” Maria replied, her voice still slightly rough.
Lord above, she would need to speak with Sir Asham to apologize.
“…To the matter at hand,” Grace was saying, “Maria and Heather will alternately be stationed in His Grace’s home. Your uniforms were commissioned after our first meeting and have been hung in the wardrobe near the door.” She turned her attention to Jasper. “Do you have any questions, Your Grace?”
* * *
Acceptingthe proffered hand of a man named Harris, Maria descended the carriage steps into the mews behind Jasper’s home. She murmured a “thank you” and led the milling new staff—the hired guards on loan from Grace’s spy friends—to the rear servants’ entrance. Nerves skittered along her skin, creating gooseflesh in their wake.
Mindful of her precarious position, Maria retreated to the back of the group, careful to keep out of sight with her mobcap tugged low. For Lord knew Jasper’s staff would recognize her on sight.
The servants’ door swung inward to reveal Jasper’s rosy-cheeked housekeeper.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, fanning her face. “I’ll fetch ’is Grace. Do come in.”
The housekeeper led Maria and the new staff through the bustling scullery and kitchens and into the corridor of service rooms, fussing the entire way.
“’Tis not often we ’ave visitors ’ere, let alonenew staff. ’Tis a veritable gaff, it is! I adore the master—we all do, really—bu’ sendin’ us all about th’ countryside t’ make way fer new staff training…Bah! Oh!” She clasped her hands to her chest and her eyes welled as she glanced over her shoulder at them. “But ’e is so dear t’ us. Do ensure ’e ’as piping hot coffee in th’ morn—and ’e does so love ’is boiled eggs, cooked just so fer four ticks. And o’ course, ’is bedchamber must be turned down at precisely eight-of-the-clock, and fires always lit in ’is rooms and study.
“’Ere y’ are,” the housekeeper finished with a rushed flourish. “The duke ’as instructed y’ te await ’im in the servants’ ’all, if y’ please.”
With a tear and a low sob, the woman hurried away, leaving Maria and the new staff to sit at the long dining table in the servants’ hall. The housekeeper’s distress seemed genuine, and compassion tugged at Maria’s heart. There was, however, someone among Jasper’s staff who had betrayed him, so needs must.
The servants’ hall was a tight, unremarkable room with cream-and-white walls, a narrow sideboard, and no windows—though the light from the long windows in the service corridor brightened the space.
The others engaged in easy conversation, evidently anticipating their new roles and the potential for a skirmish. But Maria…
She had been to Jasper’s residence on countless occasions, and yet now she was fraught with unease. She’d agreed to be his wife.His duchess.
In the moment of his proposal, she’d considered only the fact that Jasper was aware of her absence during the day, not whether her new title might impede her normal activities. Society closely followed the lives of the nobility, and would no doubt include Maria among their ranks upon the announcement of their engagement. And while she would not lament the loss of her position at the newspaper—for surely she could keep Thomas comfortable in their apartments using whatever allowance Jasper gave her—being under the watchful eye of society would undoubtedly impact her position as a runner.
She frowned. Of course, Juliana had yet to experience an impediment inherduties…
Heavy footfalls preceded the shuffling and scraping of chairs as Jasper rounded the door’s frame and the new staff stood. Maria’s pulse throbbed at her throat, and she quickly made introductions.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Jasper rumbled. “The circumstances notwithstanding.”
There was a murmur of agreement around the room.
Maria cleared her throat and turned to Jasper, perspiration beginning to gather under her breasts. “Everyone here has been briefed on their expected duties, Your Grace, but I thought to offer you the opportunity to make additional requests or ask questions, should you have them.”
Jasper’s gaze caught and held hers for a long moment, an array of emotions playing across his features, before he shook his head. “No.” He cleared his throat. “My staff are preparing for departure, but you are all welcome to make yourselves comfortable. Maria has the lead on this investigation, and I trust her to ensure everything is in order. I imagine she has a plan in place for a house tour, so I shall leave that to her. There is no space that is off-limits.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Harris bowed and turned to Maria. “I will bring my men to the servants’ quarters and await your instructions there.” He bowed again before leading his fellows from the room.
Maria’s heart tripped in her chest as silence descended upon her and Jasper.
“Thank you,” Jasper whispered.
Her lips curved up in a half smile. “I’ll gladly accept your thanks, Duke. But whatever for?”
