“Yes, thank goodness.My greatest fear was that I would be dragged back into the Davenport life from which my mother had tried so hard to shield me.Perhaps my father thought it was for the best, too.He did not attend her funeral.Nor did he ever try to contact me after she died.Then he was gone shortly afterward.”
Tulip’s heart was breaking as he spoke.“It won’t be the same for us.”
He said nothing, merely smiled.
He had a beautiful smile, but this one held a little heartbreak.
Alex returned downstairs to properly close up the house.
Tulip followed him, peering out the window onto the street and the taverns that lined it.They were coming alive now that students had finished their studies for the evening and were meeting up with friends.“Alex, why does Mrs.Gayle not live in?Isn’t this usually expected of a housekeeper.”
“I had no need of someone attending me full time.But she’ll be staying on and coming by every day to check on the apartment.”
Tulip was glad, for it was obvious Alex had needed someone kind to look after him, and Mrs.Gayle had taken on that role.“How long is your lease term?”
He chuckled.“As long as I wish it to be.”
“I see.The landlord must be happy to keep you on, especially now that you are a duke.It adds a certaincachetto this place.Do you think he will raise your rent?”
“He won’t ever.”
She glanced at him in confusion.“Why wouldn’t he?”
“Because I am the landlord and own this townhouse.It was already broken up into four student apartments when I bought it, so I combined two for myself and kept the others to let in order to provide a small income on the side.”
Tulip’s eyes rounded in surprise.“This place is yours?”
This explained why he was in no hurry to move out of here.It also explained why this apartment had been decorated with such permanence.“Oh, Alex.We could live here whenever we are in London.This seems like a fun place to be.”
“It is, but I think it must be Mayfair for us…or Belgravia if we decide to keep the Davenport townhouse.As for this place, we might get away with living here for a few months.But eyebrows will be raised if we settle here permanently.It was fine for a bachelor, and I was hardly ever here while my services for the magistrate were in dire need.Investigations took up all of my time.People will expect me to provide something finer for you.”
She listened while continuing to follow him as he checked the windows and doors.
“I would like to keep Mrs.Gayle on as my London housekeeper, if you have no objection,” he said, giving the kitchen door a solid shake to make certain it was securely latched.
“No objection,” Tulip assured him.
“But I do not mean for us to remain in this place.I would like to bring her with us wherever we settle in London.”
“Yes, I suppose it must be a grander home for us.”Tulip sighed, for she would have been quite happy right here.“But this also means Mrs.Gayle may need some training to run a fully staffed residence.As a married duke, you will now be expected to do quite a bit of entertaining.”
“Would you be able to properly train her, Tulip?”
“Yes, with the help of my cousins.Dillie will happily instruct us.She is a duchess herself and her home is impeccably run.But do you think Mrs.Gayle wants this added responsibility?It is not the same as caring for a single man who mostly takes his meals outside of the home and never entertains company.”
He arched an eyebrow.
What did that mean?
Was he in the habit of bringing home friends?
Lady friends?
In the next moment, she blushed and began to stammer.“That is, I assume you did not bring anyone here.Never mind.It is not my business to know who you invited over before we were betrothed.”
“I did not bring ladies here, if this is what concerns you.”He wrapped an arm casually about her waist as he led her to the parlor.“I preferred to avoid any romantic entanglements.”
Tulip turned to gaze out the window, for the street had truly come alive at this hour and she thought it was fascinating.“None at all?”
