Apparently, aristocrats only have one speed.
That doesn’t stop me from taking the book from him, even though he does get an eye roll for his pomposity.He winks at me, letting me know the exaggerated movements were done for my effect.
I open the book and write down my first impressions and badly drawn doodles of what I’m seeing, leaning my head out of the window but keeping all other body parts in the vehicle, as instructed.I comply more out of fear that Leo will touch me again and send me into a haze of lust so thick I’ll be stunned into accepting that I’m a Victorian now, than of fear of falling and physically injuring myself.
Leo patiently waits when we get to the front of the manor, giving me an extra ten minutes to finish my notes even though I keep lying to him and saying I only need another minute.This is the house of a half-Indian marquess after all.It’s important to record so I can analyze it later.Even if it’s just for myself.
His “of courses” get less and less credulous as time goes on, but he doesn’t pressure me to finish so we can go inside.And he doesn’t even have a phone to stare at while we wait.
Thatshould be an example in a chivalry book.
Finally, my last “One more minute” is true, and I close the book.“All done.”I realize I’m also holding Anne up as well.“Sorry, everyone.Time got a little away from me there.”
“This is your trip.For whatever you want or need.”
I nod, acknowledging I heard the sweet not-a-rake, but not wanting to verbally respond since it would be a mess of giggling and infatuated looks.
Leo accepts that as a response, getting out of the carriage and then turning around to help me out.Heaven forbid I try to get out myself.It would probably cause chaos and the fall of the Empire, like if those ravens at the Tower of London went away.
Wait till I tell him it’s going to fall anyway.
Not that I would.Even though I’ve relaxed my paranoia about ruining the future by sneezing at the wrong time, I shouldn’t give away that piece of information; it’s too big.No matter how satisfying it would be to tell it straight to Charles’s smug face.
Instead, I take Leo’s hand with a smile.My smile gets wider as I get a closer look at the house behind him.Not because it’s better, it’s just less complicated than the man in front of me.
The door swings opens and Leo’s employees flood onto the stairs, seamlessly moving around us to deal with the carriage and our luggage.
A man who I assume is the butler approaches Leo and gives him a bow.“My lord.How good to see you again so soon after your last visit.”
“Thank you.Apologies for the lack of notice.We did not make the decision to stay until today.”
“Whatever you need, my lord.Your room is being prepared right now.”
“Excellent.Let’s set up the Rose Room for our guest, as well as a room for her chaperone.”
Albert inclines his head.“Of course.”
“And call Mrs.Garnett to come and give our guests her famous tour.”
“Of course.”
“Perfect.And arrange for dinner after they are done with the tour.”
“An early dinner then, my lord?”
“It will not be the way this woman takes a tour.”
I’m distracted from sketching his pediment by the words I’m not sure are an insult or a compliment.Leo’s face doesn’t reveal anything other than a slight amusement.“Thank you?”There.That covers my bases.
“I ’eard ye needed me?”An older woman with a warm smile and a deep Scottish brogue walks up to us, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Always.This is my guest, Her Royal Highness, Princess Meera Chopra.Of India.And this is the woman who raised me, Mrs.Garnett.”He gives Mrs.Garnett an affectionate nod, and then says, “Can you please show her around?Feel free to tell her all the salacious details of our history.”
Mrs.Garnett claps her hands.“Ah.The things ye don’t usually let me tell the polite tourists.This’ll be fun.”
“He’s already told me about the origin of the family title,” I whisper to Mrs.Garnett.
“Then he’s already taken my best story!There’re scones in the kitchen and some fresh preserves.Go.”She swats Leo away from her.“Let me give this tour in peace.For yer special friend you’ve brought home, quite suddenly.”She eyes me like she would rather hear the salacious story of who I am and why he brought me here.
