Dominic ate luncheonin the dining room. On his way back to the library, the door knocker sounded.
At the entry, Jack admitted Miss Jenner and Miss Emily carrying their luggage.
Miss Jenner untied the ribbons of her bonnet with quick, determined fingers. “I must beg your good graces, Lord Redcliffe. I’m afraid Lady Lowry gave us no option but to leave her employ today, and we have nowhere to stay tonight.”
He admired her display of confidence, although he caught sight of a flash of uncertainty in her eyes. She had grit and was protective of the young maid. “Today, tomorrow, it’s of no consequence,” he said, pleased to see her. He had feared it could be several weeks before she was free to start. “Have you had luncheon?”
“No, my lord,” Miss Jenner said.
Emily, her eyes filled with tears, shook her head.
Dominic turned to Jack. “Organize the luggage and inform the cook to provide luncheon for two in the servants’ hall.” He turned to Miss Jenner. “After you’ve eaten, please join me in the library, Miss Jenner.”
When she entered a half-hour later, he directed her to a brown leather armchair before the fireplace. “Would you care for a glass of madeira?”
“No, thank you.” She perched on the edge of her chair, twisting the bonnet ribbons in her fingers while observing the state of the library with what he discerned to be a critical eye. “I am eager to take up my duties as soon as possible.” Her gaze settled on his carved oak desk, dulled by years of neglect, which he’d banned from Polly’s ministrations. He preferred not to put the estate books and his letters at risk from an upturned inkpot.
“You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the house and meet the servants,” he continued. “But there’s no rush. Williams expects five more to arrive tomorrow. I can explain the situation more fully at dinner. You’ll join us, of course.”
She met his eyes with a troubled frown. “Do you think it’s wise for us to dine together, my lord?”
“I understand your concern. But you’ve taken on quite a lot here, Miss Jenner, I thought it prudent to discuss it.” What did she fear? Thought him a rake, did she? That he would engage in a persuasive seduction over the dinner table? All men were not crass beasts.
He tried to keep his gaze from her, but she drew the eye in the lemon-yellow dress trimmed with blue. How could such a modest gown appear so…suggestive? The pleated bodice clung, outlining her full breasts, and the thin fabric skimmed her hips, which made him contemplate how she would look undressed.
Aware of him, she tucked her long legs to one side and arranged her skirts.
“Would it matter if you shared my table?” The devil drove him to ask.
Her cheeks flushed as if he’d asked her to share his bed. “You initially expressed some concern about my presence here, fearing it might cause unwelcome gossip. Surely, it would be better if I deal directly with Mr. Williams?” She regained her composure and raised her eyebrows. “Unless, of course, you have any particular tasks you wish me to perform?”
He cleared his throat. “We shall discuss that later.” He noted the determined set of her mouth. She hadn’t been in the house above five minutes and already put him in his place. Irritated at being wrong-footed and deprived of a delightful dinner companion, he had to admit she made perfect sense. Gossipers had a way of catching one out. There seemed to be eyes watching everywhere. Even here at the hall.
Did she expect him to clarify how honorable his motives were? He had no intention of it. But he would never act like some men of his acquaintance. Some of the most repugnant peers believed it was their right to bed the female staff of the houses they visited.
“I shall confer with Williams. But please come and see me if any problems arise.” He stood. “I won’t detain you. Welcome to Redcliffe Hall.”
“Thank you, my lord.” She bobbed, her chin lowered in suitable deference, which made him regretful. He must have erred. He’d sought a rapport with her if nothing else. Was that impossible between a man and a woman? Especially one who was so dashed desirable?
Her eyes avoided his. “I’ll see Mr. Williams now.”
He walked with her to the door, conscious that she held herself at a wary distance from him. It had been a mistake. She didn’t trust him. “Jack will show you where Williams’s office is.”
Dominic closed the door behind her. He feared her violet-blue eyes, ringed with long, black lashes, saw right through him, detecting his lustful thoughts, but how pleasurable it was to look at her. It would be so much simpler if she were fifty. But not nearly as fascinating.
Sighing, he sat at his desk and attempted to read over the letter he’d written earlier, but his mind wandered. Firmly pushing thoughts of Miss Jenner away, he considered inviting Williams to a game of chess after dinner. His estate manager disliked chess and was too easy to defeat, but it was better than reading week-old newspapers or the book he’d selected, which failed to hold his attention.
He sat back and questioned his reluctance to return to his comfortable existence in London. He’d left under a cloud, but surely the scandal would have lost steam by now. The improvements to this house could continue without him. The prosperity of the estate placed in the hands of a good land steward. He fiddled with the pen, drawing it through his fingers. Something held him here, and he would stay until he’d discovered what that was.
Tomorrow, he would speak to the farm laborers, see what condition the home farm was in. That would take him away from the house for most of the day. Afterward, he hoped to return to a more orderly house, if not an attractive companion for dinner.
Dominic stroked his chin with thumb and forefinger. He suspected Miss Jenner’s careful manners hid some resentment toward him. It made her intention to work here all the more surprising. Was it because of his uncle’s dispute with her father? That was some time ago, and he was not his uncle. Nothing like him, in fact, as she would discover in time.
Miss Jenner had said she intended to remain with Lady Lowry until her replacement could be found. As disagreeable as the lady might be, he would like to know why she so ruthlessly turned Miss Jenner out onto the street without a reference. Was it because she assisted the young housemaid? Or was it something more serious? He hoped not the latter. He dismissed the thought of writing to request the reason from Lady Lowry. Give that woman an inch and she’d take a mile. He’d met her like before.
*
Olivia feared she’dmade a mistake. Should she not have come here? Lord Redcliffe looked at her as if he were undressing her, and a pulse beat deep inside her, and she became flustered and warm. She expected working here would be difficult, but not…this. Could she keep her distance from such a potently sensual man? His green eyes held a promise of something wicked she didn’t understand. It intrigued her. While he neither suggested anything she could take offense at nor made a move toward her, the air between them became charged, filled with expectation.
