The man blinked. “As you say, my lord. Although I can’t imagine what the devil has to do with it.”
A lazy grin slid across my face. “The devil makes you think of sin, does he not? Do I not make you want to … sin?”
The man merely stared back at me, impassive. How droll. I enjoyed making people feel uncomfortable, but his lack of response was quickly tempering my amusement. I turned back to the basin. “What is your name?” I asked him as I toweled off my face.
“The name’s Stuart, my lord.”
“Very well, Stuart. Let’s make this quick. I’m anxious to meet the duke and his family.”
The valet swiftly dressed me in an ill-fitting brown suit. It would have to do, but I wasn’t particularly happy that I would be making the family’s acquaintance in such a state.
I glanced at the desk and gestured to the letter laying on its surface. “And, if you would post that as well.” I’d spent the better part of the night composing it, a contingency plan that could significantly shorten this silly role I was being forced to play. If Vrykolakas thought me without resources, he was wrong.
In the vast dining room, I was met with the largest table I had ever beheld. It ran the length of the considerable space, although only a small portion at one end was being used. The butler, Percival, was busy pouring tea for Helena and a Black woman in an emerald-green dress that rustled audibly with each movement of her arms. When the woman caught sight of me, a smile brightened her face and she stood, turning to Helena expectantly. “And this must be him now,” she said.
“Perfect,” Helena said, also standing as I approached. “We were just talking about you.”
“All good things, I hope,” I said, dropping into a low bow before the woman, who I assumed was the lady of the house. She was curvy, heavy-lidded, and very beautiful, her wavy hair pinned back so that only a few strands framed her face.
“Lucian, I present to you Duchess Harclay.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady,” I said, kissing the hand she offered me, a sizable diamond on her finger catching the light.
“You simply must call me Flora while you stay with us,” the duchess insisted, although she clearly enjoyed the ceremony. “I’m so happy that you could join us on such short notice. I’m also sorry to hear of your accident on the way in. You lost your luggage on the ship?”
“Half the ship lost its luggage, from what I hear,” Helena piped up, saving me from contradicting any story she may have weaved in my absence. “But you returned from Amsterdam at an opportune time, at least.”
I smiled. “Nothing that can’t be replaced. Regardless, I’m glad to have invested in the rail industry while I was there. I believe it’s going to be the way of the future—and more than adequately make up my losses.”
“I think so too. My husband isn’t convinced, but I’d say that’s a solid venture.” Flora gave my hand a brief, excited squeeze before turning back to her seat.
There were only five place settings prepared, and yet a feast had been provided, including eggs, kidney, liver, honey cake, and French bread. My mouth watered. I’d found the taste of food last night so delightful that I wanted to experience as many flavors as possible while I still could.
“Is the duke joining us this morning?” I asked.
Flora pursed her lips. “No, I’m sorry to say that Jonathan is bedridden. I’m sure he would be pleased to meet you at some point, but he doesn’t get about much anymore.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I murmured. “It would be my honor to make his acquaintance, however. Perhaps I can rouse his spirits with a game of chess sometime.”
“He would enjoy that immensely,” Flora beamed.
Just as I was about to savor my first taste of cake, a young man strolled into the room. I paused, fork halfway to my mouth, to take in the ostentatious dress of the newcomer. His black suit jacket was decked out in feathers, and the skirt he wore beneath seemed to be made entirely of feathers. Gold hoop earrings dangled from each ear, standing out on a head shaved completely bald. As he tilted his head, his ebony skin gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the narrow windows. Sparkling eyes danced beneath exaggerated eyelashes fanning out from a smoky purple eye shadow, his lips painted a cheeky ruby red.
“Flora darling, it’s so good to see you looking well,” the man greeted her, before stopping to give me a quick look. “And where are your naughty children this fine morning? Don’t tell me those terrors are sleeping in.”
Flora laughed, a tinkle that brought a smile to my lips. She gestured for the newcomer to take a seat on my other side. “Unfortunately, I got word last night that their carriage broke down. They were forced to stay at a pub overnight and won’t be back until this evening.”
“In time for the ball, I hope.”
“We wouldn’t start without them,” Flora assured him. She nodded to me in way of an introduction. “This interesting young man is a last-minute addition to the marriage games. He’s a relation of Lady Grafton.”
“Lucian,” I said, holding out a hand to shake.
“Charmed, I’m sure,” the boy said, flashing pearly white teeth. “I’m Zachariah Archibald.”
“You’ll see him flitting about often. He lives just next door. He’s good friends with my youngest.” Flora winked at Zachariah. “We just can’t seem to rid ourselves of him.”
“Someone has to ensure these halls remain radiant.”
