Flint was rubbing his head again. Felicity actually felt for him. She couldn't imagine him liking a surprise like this.
“And my aunt never knew?” Flint asked.
“And wouldn't the old besom have told the world, now?” Billy Burke suddenly spoke up from the doorway.
Everyone turned his way. He stood just outside in the hallway in muddy boots and broadcloth, his hat still in his hand, Higgins waiting behind him. Felicity didn't blame the butler. She would have wanted to hear the rest as well.
“She had visitors in here every week, all right. It was hard enough keepin’ ‘em on her side of the house so’s the young ladies would be protected.”
“I assume you're about to explain, Burke,” Flint said in a lazy drawl that didn't fool anybody. Even Felicity tensed.
And then she saw the real hurt flare in Flint's eyes as he faced the man who had put him on his first horse.
“And didn't he think you wouldn't be around enough to notice, then?” the banty Irishman said, just as calmly.
“Who?” Flint asked. “Who has been using my home, as if I didn't know?” He pulled out his snuff box and flipped it open. “And while you're at it, you might as well tell me why.”
Felicity noticed that he didn't offer to let Burke sit or rest anywhere. Burke didn't seem to notice.
“Your father, o' course,” he said. “The duke.”
“Why?”
Burke gave an eloquent shrug. “Dukes don't share their thoughts with the likes of me, sir, now, do they?”
Flint took a pinch of snuff, inhaled, and pulled out his kerchief to brush loose flakes. “And you just carted young women around for the duke without asking his purpose?”
“Not past makin' sure no harm was comin' to 'em, like. Put each of 'em on a Bristol ship for America with a packet of papers from Mr. Everhill.”
“My estate manager.”
“The same.”
Flint nodded absently. “And you picked them up?”
“Three Tuns on the London Road. All waiting in the first bedroom. With a maid.”
Which meant, Felicity was relieved to know, that they had not been taken advantage of.
Flint was still nodding, his attention on the small gold snuffbox he flipped about in his left palm. “I imagine Mr. Everhill is not nearby to be questioned.”
“In London,” Burke said. “Duke was after wantin' him.”
Lord Flint nodded absently, still focused on the snuff box in his hand, the top glinting gold as he turned it.
“If I find any of my staff has gone behind my back again, no matter who instructs them, they will be summarily fired without reference. Am I clear?”
Burke didn't move. Mrs. Windom and Higgins nodded.
“There will be no more women lodged in the servants’ quarters who do not draw their pay from this house unless I am the one to tell you so. I will so notify the duke.”
There was another round of nods.
“One thing, my lord,” Burke quietly said, not moving.
Flint looked up, and Felicity was glad he wasn't angry at her.
“Yes, Burke?”
