“I think not, my lord, but now I think you understand me and be very careful where you step from this moment on, because if I ever find out that you are threatening or intimidating my wife, there will be nowhere for you to hide, and remember this, Huxley. I am not scared of you like so many others.”
Turning his back on the man, Daniel took Eva’s arm again, bowed to Miss Myers and led his wife back to their waiting carriage.
…
“We are to go to the theatre tonight, Eva, with Claire and Simon,” Daniel said over his newspaper the following morning. “And I cannot believe I’m saying this, but my grandmother and Lady Dunbar are attending also.”
Eva, who was spreading strawberry conserves on a muffin, nodded. “You invited your grandmother? That was very nice of you.”
“Actually she invited herself and I simply agreed.”
“What does it say on the back bit there?” Eva leaned over to tap the back of his paper. “About a new exhibition on Egyptian artifacts?”
“If you have just put strawberry conserve on my paper, I will not be pleased, wife.”
“Then perhaps you could just give me that back piece,” Eva said, reaching over to tug it out of his grasp.
“If I remember correctly, you vowed to honor and obey me,” Daniel muttered.
“Lord Kelkirk, your Grace,” Wernham said, opening the door.
Eva smiled as Simon strolled into the breakfast parlor. As usual, his face wore a calm, unruffled expression and he was dressed in the height of fashion. “Simon. How lovely to see you. Would you like something to eat?”
“He has his own home. Can he not eat there?” Daniel retrieved his newspaper.
“I was reading that.” Eva frowned as he pulled it from her hands.
Daniel looked at Simon, who in turn looked at Eva.
“If ever there was a reason to re-enforce my current unmarried state, having to share my morning newspaper would be it.” Simon said, lifting a silver lid on the sideboard and peering beneath. “May I suggest you read it in your study? Surely in there you will be safe.”
“Now there’s a thought.” Daniel once again buried his head in the newsprint.
“Lord Lucien has four greys that he is selling, Daniel, and I want to be the first to see them.” Simon stole the last muffin and slathered it in honey.
“And this concerns me because…?”
Simon placed one hand on top of the paper and pushed it down. “Because, and I say this reluctantly, you are a very fine judge of horse flesh and I value your opinion.”
Eva noted that Simon looked like he’d sucked on a lemon as he spoke.
“I’m flattered.” Daniel folded the newspaper and passed it across the table to his wife. “And as you have begged so nicely, I will, of course, accompany you.”
“I did not beg - I asked. There is a subtle difference,” Simon said.
“Will Claire be here shortly, Eva?” Daniel enquired.
“Yes, we are to visit the bazaar - it is for the orphans and widows.”
“My God! Come, let us leave, Stratton, before that virago arrives.” Simon shuddered.
“Claire is not a virago!” Eva declared.
“Methinks the man protests too much,” Daniel said with a sly smile. “Have a nice morning, Duchess, and be sure to kept Molly at your side. I will instruct two of the footman to accompany you at all times also, he added, kissing the top of Eva’s head. Eva lifted her face so he kissed that, too.
“I protest too much about what?” Simon demanded as he and Daniel left the room.
…
