“I’m very sorry to hear that. Children?”
“Two boys, sir. Grown and with their own families.”
Stubbins seemed quite comfortable sharing this personal information with him, which was likely due to the fact he’d once been butler to Dimity who was not one to stand on ceremony with anyone.
“If you need more time off, Stubbins, to visit family or grandchildren, it’s my hope you’ll ask.”
The butler looked a little shocked at that, and his usually unflappable facade was momentarily displaced with surprise. Seconds later, it was gone.
“That is very kind of you, sir.”
“I meant it. If there is a young lady you wish to step out with, or anything else…” His words fell away as color crept into Stubbins’s cheeks. “There is a young lady?”
Stubbins cleared his throat.
“I shall not question you further, but I reiterate. Should you need time off, you need only ask. And now that I have embarrassed you enough, I shall leave.”
He let himself out of the house and then climbed on his horse.
Stubbins had a lady in his life. Good for him.
Another cool crisp morning greeted Zach, and mist swirled around him. It did not take him long to reach his first destination.
“Good morning, Bobby.”
“Good morning to you, sir. Two pies or one today?”
Perhaps he was hungry after all. The scent of buttery pastry and fruit was wafting up his nostrils, and his stomach rumbled.
“I’ll start with the fig and pear and see how things go.”
“Two things have a young unwed man out at such an hour.”
Spinning on his heel, Zach found the Duke and Duchess of Raven and Devonshire Sinclair on horseback.
“Firstly, you have just left someone’s bed, or secondly, you left your own because you couldn’t sleep.”
“Certainly not. I had a full and restful night’s slumber in my own bed and am now ready for exercise,” Zach lied. “It is not just you old people who need it, you know. We young ones must also remain alert and strong.”
“Two apple and three cherry pies please, Bobby,” Dev said, dismounting.
“Cherry?” Zach’s head snapped back to the vendor. “Is this a new pie?”
“I’ve been out of stock, just started making them again yesterday,” Bobby said.
“I love cherry,” Zach muttered.
“Come here, Zach,” the duchess called.
“Do you need a real man to help you in some way, Duchess?” he asked, reaching her horse.
“You point him out, Deville,” the duke said. “Hurry it along, Dev, my hands are cold.”
“No really, just a simple thanks will do, seeing as it is that I am down here purchasing your pies,” Dev muttered.
“Zach.”
“Yes, Duchess.” He looked up at the beautiful woman he’d come to call friend. She wore a deep burgundy cloak, which covered her horse’s flanks and a jaunty black hat.
