“I would prefer to hire someone intimate with the duke’s eccentricities. Henry and his sister Karen to be precise.” I had taken Henry into my confidence. Under the guise of needing my own secretary, I would train him to be Lord Kendrick’s, so the transition would be smooth when the time came. The idea of my departure weighed on my shoulders. Lord Kendrick would be a hard man to leave.
“Henry the pantomime, um, manservant and his sister, Karen?” she asked, head tilted to the side. There was no judgment in her stare, simply curiosity. It was refreshing to see her be open to what most would spurn out of hand. She rose even higher in my esteem.
“Henry’s a smart and ambitious man. Karen has been attending a college for women and speaks six different languages. Both twins are accomplished, and their talents are wasted as domestics. If you would like, I can arrange an interview.” Like the misfits in Lord Kendrick’s employ, the twins were trying to make their way in the world.
The duke let his staff express themselves in a way that suited their personality. Henry could conform if necessary, and his talents were wasted in his current position.
“If you say the twins are good choices, I’ll accept your opinion. I’m not certain if I need two personal secretaries, however.” She tapped her finger against her chin and frowned.
Lady Lillian might have been raised in an earl’s household, but her father’s estate was minuscule compared to the Alton holdings.
“As the Duchess of Alton, you will need a team of people. Lady Helen has a personal secretary and two undersecretaries at Alton Hall,” I said, wincing at the pinched look that twisted her lips. Her engagement was new, and she hadn’t been exposed to the full extent of her duties. I was glad I could obtain her some assistance before the realities of her title sank in.
She blanched, her hand flying to her throat. “Oh dear, that many?”
“Yes, that many. I suggest sending Karen to Alton Hall to work under the tutelage of Lady Helen’s staff. Henry can start his duties here.” It would give me enough time to hand over the small things I did for Lord Kendrick on a day-to-day basis. Ihated the subterfuge to both Lord Kendrick and Lady Lillian, but there was no help for it.
With a grave nod, she blew out a long breath. “I would like him to start soon, but he must, well, he mustn’t wear his costume, and he has to talk instead of gesture. I don’t think my family—especially the duchess will understand.” She worried her lip and frowned. “Am I a horrible person to ask that of him?”
“No, you are not. He will be thrilled for the chance. Thank you,” I said.
I could hear voices outside my door, followed by a sharp knock. Alarm shot through me. Lady Lillian couldn’t be found in the house without an escort.
She held her hand to her mouth, terror making her eyes huge. “Oh, dear,” she whispered.
“Hide behind the desk. I’ll stop them from entering.”
With a nod, she rushed to do my bidding. I waited for her to crouch down before I strode to the door as another series of impatient knuckles hit the door. “Coming.” I opened the portal and was pushed to the side. “Gavin, what is the meaning of this?”
“Where is he?” he asked, his square jaw lifted. Gavin was a handsome man without any outward intelligence. He was volatile, rude, and lacking in manners.
“The duke is out on business. Can I assist you with anything?” What Lord Kendrick saw in him still baffled me. I disliked him with a passion. Perhaps it was jealousy or distrust of someone that self-involved.
“No, I must see Kendrick. When will he return?” he asked, staring down his perfect nose at me. He slapped his gloves against his palm, impatience stiffening his broad frame. “Well, when will he be back, man?”
Fury sent heat to my cheeks, and I had to tamp down a biting retort. “It isLordKendrick, and I don’t know. I’ll tell him youcalled, however.” I straightened to my full height and tried to keep my composure.
The slight rustling sound coming from behind my desk reminded me that Lady Lillian was still hiding.
“Come now, Colt. You are always privy to his whereabouts.” He rocked back on his polished heels and lifted one haughty brow. “I demand you tell me where he is.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. I’ll tell him you called.” I crossed my arms and approached him with determination. Lord Kendrick had brought him home a few months past. He was awful then, and he was awful now. Lord Kendrick had been too blinded by lust to see his true character.
He glared at me for a long moment before turning on his heel and storming from the room. I strode to the door and shut it with a soft click when I wanted to slam it shut. My chest tight, I exhaled.
“What an insufferable man!” Lady Lillian popped from behind the desk and straightened her slender walking skirt. Her color was high, outrage tightening her jaw.
“Yes, quite.”
“I am glad he wasn’t available for my research.” She strolled over to the typewriter and trailed her finger over the keys. In profile, she looked rather like a statue of Juno I had seen in a museum with her long nose and haunting doe eyes. “Whatever did Lord Kendrick see in him?”
“His fine face and impressive form perhaps.” It was the only explanation, that and Lord Kendrick hated to be denied anything. I had a sense Gavin had piqued his curiosity by being aloof, not to mention his impressive figure and lack of modesty.
“Hmm, I suppose so. You are very handsome as well.” She pressed down one key with a slim finger.
The click resounded in the quiet space. I stared, unsure how to respond to such a flattering compliment. Considering whathad transpired in the library between the three of us, it was a little late for coyness. She’d discovered my secret and exposed it to the object of my affection. “Thank you, Lady Lillian, for the gracious praise.”
“It is true, Colt. Gavin is handsome, but you hold greater appeal because of your pleasant nature.” She tapped out a few more words on the blank page in the typewriter and worried her bottom lip. I had kissed those lips, and even recalling how she’d responded sent the blood pounding in my veins. Yet another surprise in a week full of surprises.
