Flick, flick. Cleo’s thick tail sounded on my boots.
Toole wrung his hands further into oblivion.
I blew out a breath. He was a good man. Trustworthy and loyal. But there was a reason servants oughtn’t to marry. It took away from their labor. It distracted them. I’d hired Toole because I thought we’d work together forever, and now he wanted a family besides?
“This is unexpected.”
“Forgive me, Your Grace. I never thought I’d see her again. Indeed, it was my mother who brought her predicament to my attention. We’ve met since, she and I, and the feelings are still there. I would not ask your permission for any other woman on this earth. To me, she is perfect. Would you allow it?”
“Toole, I worry that the woman is taking advantage of you. She married another, and now is stranded, and frankly, sounds far beneath you. Does she not have family she can turn to?”
He shifted his feet. “I do not doubt her intentions. We have a shared past, one that I feel shameful to admit to. Imade her promises back then that I was too cowardly to keep. I-I should have been more caring. More forward in my intentions. I lost her then. With your permission, I do not want to lose her a second time.”
Toole fancied himself in love, did he? He certainly seemed determined. “While I understand your desire to wed”—no, actually, I didn’t, but I wanted to keep my butler—“my primary responsibility is to the dukedom and the well-being of the estate. I will have to consider your request.”
He nodded. “Of course, Your Grace. Your consideration is much appreciated.”
I did not have to consider at all—his was a terrible choice. I couldn’t let my butlermarry. I needed his full attention here.
“If there’s nothing else?”
“No, no. Nothing else.” He bowed, hesitant to leave, as though perhaps he had something more to say.
My wooden chair creaked as I leaned back, considering this sudden shift in character. Love made people act quite strange, if love was what he was admitting to. I knew little of the subject. I’d felt drawn to certain women in my life. Desired them, certainly. But loved? I wasn’t sure I’d ever allow another person that much hold over me.
Love was not something you could plan, and therefore, it was irrelevant. Love could not build a kingdom or give thousands of people livelihoods or vote in Parliament.
Toole had pledged his life to service, and look what love was doing tohim.
I waved him off as he took his leave, but before the door had closed, a hand caught it, thrusting it back open. “Cousin.”
Gabriel’s cherubic countenance filled my doorway. I drewin what I hoped would prove a patient breath and reached down to pat Cleo’s fluffy head.
“What now?”
“What can you do for me? Well, that’s the thing, isn’t it?” He unbuttoned his jacket and took the seat opposite me. “I’ll get straight to it. I need a little loan.”
After five seconds of silent staring, I realized he was serious. “No. Get out.” How dare the little weasel ask formorethan the exorbitant sum I was already gifting him out of pure generosity of heart?
“Hear me out. I am serious this time—”
“Gabriel, I am overworked and overspent, and I do not have time—”
“What I am doing willchange thingsfor me, and for our family—”
“—for your ridiculous notions that will no doubt—”
“—and I’ve worked so hard—”
“—lead the family to ruin.”
“—if you’ll justtrust me.” He took a long, serious breath. “Just this once.”
If only I had not trusted his whims over and over and over again for the past five years, dumping money into his frivolous investment schemes and business ideas. If he wanted me to take him seriously, he ought to drink less and do more for the family. Take a heap offmyplate.
“No. That is final.”
“Please, Marlow. I cannot do this without you behind me.”
