“Yes. She is out right now, seeing that accounts are being set up in your name so that all your needs will be met. I’ll see that a list is delivered later today.”
“That’s so very kind of her to help me—I mean us. Yes, yes, I’m sure Her Grace knows the best shops in all of London. We’ll be in excellent hands with her help. Thank you, Your Grace, but—” Mrs. Colthrust rubbed her gloved hands together nervously. “—there is also the matter of servants? Miss Prim and her five sisters have been making do with only a cook and a governess ever since they arrived.”
“Four, Mrs. Colthrust,” Louisa interjected under her breath. “I have four sisters.”
“Yes, of course, dear, I’m sure that’s what I said. We’ll get them all maids, won’t we, Your Grace? You see, though I’m ashamed to admit it, my sister’s husband saw fit to take every servant but the cook with them.”
Louisa looked at the duke and said, “One maid will be sufficient for us. We are used to helping each other.”
The duke gave her a slow, easy appraisal with his questioning gaze. She felt her skin being peppered with little goose bumps that sent delicious sensations through her body.
“However many you wish, Miss Prim,” he said.
“The cook will need a scullery maid as well,” Mrs. Colthrust added. “And I must insist we have our own coach-and-four.”
“It’s been ordered and will be delivered to Lord Wayebury’s address later this afternoon, along with a driver and a groom,” he said. “A housekeeper is being interviewed in the kitchen right now. Perhaps you would like to go meet her, Mrs. Colthrust, and give your opinion as to her qualifications?”
Mrs. Colthrust seemed to grow two inches as her shoulders went back and her chin lifted triumphantly. Her voice softened again as she said, “Why, yes, Your Grace, yes. I’d like that very much.”
“Good. Come with me.” The duke went to the door and called, “Mr. Tidmore, come here.”
An older, rotund gentleman with thinning gray hair appeared in the doorway. Louisa couldn’t hear what the duke said to the butler, but Mrs. Colthrust followed him out of the room as if she were walking behind the Prince himself.
His Grace strode back to where Louisa stood in front of her sisters and said, “Are you smiling at me, Miss Prim?”
She didn’t realize she was until he’d asked, but readily admitted, “Yes, I believe I am.”
“To what do I owe the honor?”
“I’m not sure it’s an honor, but I think Mrs. Colthrust almost got the best of you.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“No, you don’t.”
A tempting roguish grin lifted the corners of his mouth, and Louisa’s breathing became shallow and fast. Her heart thudded loudly in her ears. When he looked at her like that, for some ridiculous reason it thrilled her. She was aware her sisters were standing not far behind her, so she stepped a little closer to him and, lowering her voice, asked, “Are you saying I’m fibbing?”
“That’s putting it a little nicer than I was actually thinking, but, yes.”
“I did say Mrs. Colthrustalmostgot the best of you.”
“Still a prevarication,” he said.
“If so, not by much,” she argued.
The duke laughed softly. “I’m glad you came back with your chaperone.”
“Really?” She smiled some more. “Me and allfiveof my sisters.”
Again, he grinned. “It takes a while to get the names and the number right. But, when I woke this morning, I had wondered if you were really as lovely as I remember you being yesterday. And you are.”
His compliment made Louisa feel shy. She lowered her lashes over her eyes. “Now you are prevaricating, Your Grace.”
“If so, not by much.”
“What are you talking about?” Bonnie asked from behind Louisa.
