Chapter 4
After a long nightwalking Rose’s Redemption to ease her colic symptoms, Sebastian was finally happy that the mare wasn’t in any danger.The stable lads arrived for the morning shift, and he waved one of them over and instructed him on how to watch the mare.
“Sir, you need some sleep.”
“Yes lad.”He was wrecked, having slept fitfully in the ninety-mile overnight carriage home from the Derby, and then arriving to notice Rose’s Redemption kicking her belly.He’d led her from the front paddock to the stable yard, and then spent all night walking her until the colic passed.She’d been named after one of Sebastian’s friends from the orphanage, Rose, who had died in tragic circumstances a long time ago.
“You can trust the horses to us.”
He nodded because it was true.He’d trained his staff well, and they did a good job.God, he was so tired.Every step was heavy and hard work, and as he trudged to his cottage, he stumbled on the edge of the garden at the back of the barn.It said something for his state of exhaustion that when he hit the ground, he wondered if he should just curl up here—in the garden—and have a short nap.
“Wildgoose.”The Duke was the last voice he wanted to hear while sprawled on the ground.He wanted to close his eyes and hope the Duke went away.Damn it.But of course, he couldn’t ignore his boss, so he dragged his knees under him and stood up.
“My God, Wildgoose.You look dreadful.”
“Thank you, your Grace.”
The corner of the Duke’s mouth twitched.Was that almost a smile?
“What the devil were you doing on the ground?”
“Gravity.Everyone is attached to the ground.”He cringed inside.Being so tired had removed his filter completely.“Your Grace.”He belatedly added the title.Oops.
“Wildgoose.”
Fine.He scrambled to his feet.“Rose’s Redemption had colic.I walked her all night and now she is better.I’m heading to bed.”
The Duke frowned.“Come.”He threw his arm around Sebastian’s shoulders and marched him towards his cottage and Sebastian didn’t have the energy to resist.One of the perks of his job was having one of the maids from the big house clean his cottage once a week, so at least his cottage was tidy enough for the Duke’s presence.He shuddered.The Duke in his cottage?It was inconceivable.
“Can I come in?”
“Yes.”Sebastian stiffened.“It’s technically your cottage.”He couldn’t stop the Duke from entering if he so wished.
“Wildgoose.I am not going to commandeer your cottage.I merely need you to care for yourself.”
Sebastian nodded.None of this made any sense.He bent down and removed his boots, then glanced at the Duke.
“Yes?”
“Please remove your boots.It helps keep the floors clean.”
The Duke frowned.“The maids will clean the floors.”
“Your Grace.My employment contract includes one maid who cleans this cottage once a week.For the remainder of the time, it is my responsibility to keep the floors clean, and removing one’s boots prevents the farm’s dirt being tramped inside.”He didn’t need the reminder of their class difference and if he wasn’t so tired, he might have rolled his eyes.
