Greta flashed her a shy smile. “Thank you, my lady. I look forward to serving you.”
Justin walked to the door. “I will leave you to get settled.”
“Thank you, Justin, you have been very kind.”
He gave her a warm smile and exited the room.
Jillian immediately began shedding her clothing, eager to be rid of the dress she had been in for twenty-four hours now. “Greta, do you suppose I could get a bath drawn?”
“Of course, my lady. I will see to it immediately.”
###
After her bath, Jillian felt completely refreshed. She donned a simple day dress and went in search of Justin. She had just descended the stairs when she was nearly knocked over by two boisterous dogs. She sat back on the bottom step, overwhelmed by their vigor.
“Well, who have we here?” She laughed, attempting to pet the wriggling masses of fur.
“My apologies, my lady.” Edward hurried over to pull the dogs from her.
“Oh, no need, they were just greeting me. What are their names?” She bent down to stroke their heads and was rewarded with a lick on the nose. She giggled and drew back.
“Tobias and Lady Madeline, but we call them Toby and Maddie. They are his grace’s hunting Labradors. They came all the way from Newfoundland as pups.”
“They are beautiful,” she complimented, stroking their sleek fur. “Which one is Toby and which one is Maddie?”
“The black is Toby and the yellow is Maddie.”
“Can you direct me to the duke?”
“His grace is in the sitting room,” Edward informed her. “Come, I’ll escort you there.”
The two dogs padded along behind Jillian, their tails wagging in interest.
Justin rose from his seat in front of the fire as she entered the room. “Are my hounds making a nuisance of themselves?”
“Not at all, they have been very welcoming.”
“That’s what I am afraid of,” Justin said dryly. “They tend to betoowelcoming.”
Jillian laughed. “They did greet me somewhat enthusiastically.” She scratched their ears, smiling at their eager expressions.
“Are you hungry?” Justin asked. “Cook is putting out luncheon as we speak.”
The two walked through the large formal dining room, Jillian looking in amazement at the long table. It looked to seat at least fifty people. They continued on past and into a smaller, less formal dining area. It appeared much more intimate, this table seating a maximum of six. It was situated right next to the kitchen and the cook was busy going in and out, bearing a tray of sandwiches and two bowls of wonderful smelling rabbit stew.
“This is where I dine when I am not entertaining a large number of guests,” he said, gesturing for her to sit.
When they finished eating, Justin invited Jillian on a tour of the grounds.
She hurried to don her cloak and then met him on the terrace. They walked down the well-manicured path through the gardens, Justin pausing to point out various plants and flowers.
“I wish you could see them in bloom,” he said, as they walked among the hedges separating the rose garden from the perennials. “Case told me how much you love your garden.”
Jillian halted and turned, looking at him in surprise. “Have you discussed me often then?”
“No, not at all. Case is surprisingly close-mouthed when it comes to you.”
“Why is that surprising?
