“Boris says you aren’t here seeking employment,” he said, interrupting her train of thought. “And I hope that’s true, because I doubt your family would approve.”
“Employment?”
His fine black brows shot up, and she suddenly realized what he meant.
No!She shook her head. “I’m here—” Whereas the man himself hadn’t scared her, his suggestion that she’d come to abrothel looking for employment caused her words to get caught in her throat.
He deserved a hard slap to the face. Truly.
When he narrowed his eyes, however, she realized he was only goading her.
“I’ve come.” Melanie took a deep breath. “About the baby.”
“What about the baby?” Her insides vibrated when he spoke, so refined was the texture of his voice.
Why hadn’t she noticed that before?
But those heartfelt cries were still fresh in her mind. Melanie straightened her spine, feeling a surprisingly fierce sense of protectiveness. This might be the enigmatic Duke of Malum she was addressing, but he was only one man. And he had a responsibility to that little baby. “Something’s wrong,” she said.
He blinked. “A nursemaid arrived early this morning. He’s being well cared for.”
But Melanie shook her head again. “He isn’t. She’s not… You need to sack her.”
Both of the duke’s eyebrows flew upwards. “You, the sister of an earl camehere, to theDomus Emporium, to suggest that I fire Ernest’s nursemaid?”
“Ernest?”
“Ernie—the baby.” The left side of his mouth hitched, but only for an instant. Aside from that, the man revealed little, if any, emotion.
“He won’t stop crying.” The words sprang from her mouth almost easily. “And she does nothing. She’s horrid.”
At this, he blinked again, and she felt a shift in him. He’d been amused by her before, if curious, but now his demeanor was much more business-like. Serious.
“How so?” His nostrils flared.
“He’s… He’s been—crying… for…” Melanie paused and took a deep breath, trying to gather herself. If she was going to help thebaby, silence wasn’t an option. “Forhours.It isn’t… normal, and she doesn’t care.” Those silver eyes turned a dark gray. “Your butler said he’d convey my concerns after I tried explaining…” She went to swallow, but her throat felt clogged. “But…”
She’d apparently said enough, however, because the duke was already out of his chair and walking around his desk.
She couldn’t help but notice his stockinged feet, and that he paused to slip on a pair of black shoes that were tucked alongside a tall bookshelf.
The Duke of Malum was not a lion. He was human, like everyone else.
“Was he coughing? Do you think he’s fevered?” He grasped her elbow, steering her toward the door, and Melanie experienced a huge wave of relief at his obvious concern. She didn’t know what she would have done if he’d brushed her off like his butler had.
“I’m not sure…” She hadn’t been able to see him, she’d only heard him…
“And the nurse did nothing? Has she harmed him?”
“I don’t think so.” She recalled the moments when both the baby—Ernie—and the nurse were out of sight. “I’m not sure,” she added, moving to match his pace.
“How did you get here?” he asked as he held the door wide.
“Walked.”
The duke’s lips thinned, but then he turned to the man who’d escorted her inside. “I’ll be at Preston Hall, if anyone needs me, Boris,” he informed the man, not waiting for an answer as he strode past.
A second man looked up from where he was seated at a desk Melanie hadn’t noticed earlier.
