Edmund dropped into the opposite chair. "How's the arrangement coming along?”
"What arrangement?"
“The one where you and Miss Clara affect the most improper charade of employer and employee, while the unmistakable ardour between you threatens to quite shatter all decorum.”
“I have not the faintest notion of your meaning.”
“Indeed? I observe a most undeniable token upon your cravat line.”
Gabriel's hand flew to his collar. “You are mistaken.”
Edmund pulled out a letter. "From your aunt."
Gabriel groaned. “Tell me, what nuisance does that dreadful woman seeks?”
"She's coming to inspect your progress in three days."
“I beg your pardon?”
"She wishes to see the improvements you've made. Staff, household management, general functionality." Gabriel rose and paced the chamber toward the window.
“Three days?” Clara must be informed immediately.”
"Where is our dear Miss Whitfield?"
"In the garden."
"In January?"
"She's clearing dead growth."
Gabriel headed for the door. "I need to inform her about Aunt Agatha."
Gabriel left Edmund in the study, striding through the house toward the garden. The new staff scattered before him like startled birds, which was exactly how he preferred it.
He found Clara in the rose garden, or what had been the rose garden before neglect turned it into a thorny wasteland. She was on her knees in the dirt, viciously attacking a dead rose bush with pruning shears, her hair escaping its pins, her cheeks flushed with exertion.
She looked magnificent.
“Pray! Has that bush cause you offence?” He asked.
She looked up, and her smile made his chest tight. “It has failed these years past. It falls to us to put an end to its wretchedness.”
“Can I be of any assistance?”
“I think not.”
But he knelt beside her anyway, their shoulders brushing. "Aunt Agatha's coming in three days."
Clara's hands stilled. "Three days?"
"To inspect our progress."
"Three days isn't enough time."
"It has to be."
She settled back upon her heels, a smudge of earth quite marring her delicate nose, which caused Gabriel to have an overpowering desire to kiss away.
