“Please do. Before my ears lobes catch fire from thinking too hard.”
She laughed, as he’d intended, then leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Her book.”
“Her book?”
She nodded. “Yes, her book.”
“Ah.” James thought about that. “So her interest in hiring stable hands has something to do with her book.”
“I’m afraid so.”
Her words made him pause. He gazed at her. “Is it something that makes you worry?”
She bit her lip. “A little.”
“Something one might deem incorrect?”
“If one were given to understatement, yes.”
“Hmm.”
“You must read it, sir.” Harriet lifted her head and gave him a beseeching gaze. “Please read it. And the suggestions from the publisher. Then you will understand.”
“I asked her, my dear. She refused.”
Harriet’s hands fidgeted. “If I can procure a copy…”
“She has two?”
“The publisher gave her back the original and two copies with his ideas. Apparently he is a believer in taking precautions when it comes to such things.” She tilted her head to one side. “I also think it is indicative of his interest in this manuscript, sir. So there is most certainly merit in her work...”
“I never doubted that, Miss Harry. Just as I never doubted Miss Letitia’s ability to pen a work of brilliance.”
“Well, she’s certainly done that.” Harriet’s lips curved into a smile.
Intrigued by that wicked little grin, James nodded. “Very well. I would be most eager to peruse the book in question, but I will leave it to you to—er—borrow a copy for me. Is that satisfactory?”
Harriet’s sigh of relief was unmistakeable. “Indeed, sir. Most acceptable. And I thank you.”
“No need, my dear. I regard the Ridlingtons as family and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them.”
“A laudable sentiment at last, sir.”
At that moment, the door to the parlour opened, and the handsome figure of the third applicant emerged, straightening his coat, and smirking. It was definitely a smirk.
However, as soon as James rose, he lost the expression, gave a polite nod and touched his cap to Harriet.
Then he strode from the inn, oozing confidence.
James found his hands clenching into fists for no apparent reason, but turned as the door opened once more on the figure of Letitia. “Well, there you are.” He managed to keep the accusatory tone to a minimum. Or so he thought.
“Yes, here I am. Most observant of you.” She frowned. “Did we have an appointment, James? I don’t recall promising to meet you today?”
“Not at all. I was just surprised to find Miss Harry here alone, while you apparently entertained a gentleman in the little parlour.”
Letitia’s chin lifted so sharply he could have sworn he heard her neck bones snap into place. “I was not, as you so snidely put it, entertaining anyone.” She glared at him. “I was, if you must know, attempting to save Edmund and Rosaline the trouble of compiling a list of potential servants—in this case stable hands—for when they are in a position to look into expanding our household.”
“Ah.” The small word conveyed James’s state of mind quite accurately.
