You cannot grow attached—but appreciating one’s wife wasn’t a hazard to his work with the Home Secretary. And as soon as he was free from this awful, quiet country air, he would have more important things to engage his mind and keep him from obsessively wondering if she would ever allow him to kiss her again.
The door opened a second time to reveal a middle-aged man holding a shaving kit.
“Stevens, you are ten minutes too late,” Jackson said. He didn’t know if he was admonishing the man or thanking him.
Stevens was too seasoned a servant to balk at the tone. Or the nudity. Moving about the room to prepare the lather for Jackson’s shave, the man said in an even tone, “I arrived some time ago, Your Grace. But when I heard voices in your chambers, I found I had forgotten the leather strap for the razor.”
Jackson’s life revolved around subtext:I did not wish to disturb you taking your betrothed to bed.
Jackson clapped the man on the back, his confidence in good men restored. “Remind me to give you a raise, Stevens.”
The older man didn’t so much as crack a smile. “Yes, Your Grace.”
Chapter Twelve
Aquick shaveand a splash of water later, Jackson had dressed in a claret waistcoat over a cream linen shirt tucked into fawn-colored breeches. He’d shrugged off wearing the navy coat, knowing the country weather turned sweltering by afternoon, but he did decide on strong soled boots before making his way downstairs... to find he was late for his engagement breakfast. Damn nearafternoon teaat this point.
“There you are.” The dowager duchess stood on the threshold of the dining room in a high-necked lavender dress, her expression pinched as noise from the full room beyond made it abundantly clear he’d missed his entrance. “Here I thought, when that tactless hoyden returned from upstairs, she had gone to fetch you to welcome your guests.”
Jackson’s gaze flicked through the open dining room doors, catching the eye of said hoyden, who had a gloriously smug grin on her face. His lips kicked up. “The occasion must have slipped her mind.” Intentionally, and with full awareness of what would be an uncomfortable surprise later.
She truly was the most deliciously cruel woman, especially when those lush lips of hers lifted so invitingly when she gloated.
“Forgetful as well as boisterous.” His mother shook her head. “What is to become of the Grandfellow name?”
Anna had slipped into a corner of the room and away from the milling crowd. Jackson watched her move with predatory enjoyment.
“Fire and brimstone, I’d imagine,” Jackson said, half-listening. “Excuse me.”
He entered the room and successfully avoided the trap of conversation by sticking close to the outer wall. His younger brother caught his eye, looking as if he’d intercept him, but Figaro’s gaze flicked to Jackson’s intended company, and he raised his glass in silent salute. Jackson nodded his appreciation for understanding and took his place at Anna’s side.
She turned to him with a smile. “Duke. How kind of you to join us. I do hope you had a pleasant morning?”
“Rather pleasant,” he said, soaking up her look of triumph. “Though I did have quite a shock when the loveliest bird swept into my chambers this morning.”
“‘A bird’?” Anna’s mock surprise was about as refined as a child’s. “You must lock your doors and bar your windows.”
“Wouldn’t help, I’m afraid,” he said. “Seems this particular bird can pick even the trickiest of locks.”
“Whatever will you do, Duke?”
Enjoy every moment. “I suppose there is only one thing I can do: hope my winged intruder has kind intentions.”
Her lashes fluttered prettily. “I wouldn’t count on it.”
He accepted a glass of pinkish liquid from a servant before he leaned down to whisper something scandalous and shocking in her ear—when the front of her dress caught his eye.
From up close, it almost looked as if—
“Are those beetles sewn into your bodice?” He hadn’t noticed more than her creamy skin and delicious smell in his chambers.
“Only the husks,” she said. “They’ve been painted for preservation, naturally, but the overall effect is to my instruction.”
“Youaskedfor insects to adorn your dresses?”
“Three full trunks full of garments arrived from the modiste this morning.”
“That was fast,” he said, brows raised.Premeditated.
