Page 13 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

Jack grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t like weeding at all. If you can get the hang of it, you’re welcome to spend as much of your time as you’d like out here. The head gardener’s wife is ill, and I’m mostly just trying to make sure the place doesn’t go to rot while he’s gone.”

Thomas took a deep breath. This was the type of work he was looking for. Something outside, where the occupants of the house couldn’t look at him. He needed to stay far away from Lady Lavender. “I’ll figure it out. It seems like the type of job an assistant would do.”

Jack sat on the ground and leaned back so that the sun hit his youthful face. “Bless Mrs. Bitters. I’m free from searching around for weeds like everyone about town is searching for the lost duke.”

“The lost duke?” Thomas felt a stone drop into the pit of his stomach.

“Yeah.” Jack shrugged.

Thomas made sure to keep his face turned toward the dirt. “How does a duke get lost?”

Jack shrugged. “No one knows. That’s what keeps ’em all talking. Funny how people can run their mouths for hours about something that’s a mystery.”

Thomas grinned, equally pleased with his successful disappearance as he was with this new information.

“Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your own servant, Tom? I have. I’ve been one my whole life, and now I have you. Like an answer to prayer.” Jack looked up toward the heavens and pressed his palms together as if in supplication. His mock solemnity made Thomas scoff.

“Assistant, not servant.”

“Shhh . . . Just let me pretend for a moment.” Jack closed his eyes and smiled so wide, the gap between his teeth was clearly visible.

Thomas flicked some dirt onto the boy’s face and then busied himself with digging for a weed . . . with its root attached this time.

Jack laughed. He seemed to do a lot of laughing. It would have been easier to join in if it hadn’t been at Thomas’s expense. But he’d stick it out and earn that hat from Samuel, if nothing else.

Jack left Thomas to his weeding, a task he was doing more efficiently now that he’d been taught. After working until his lower back ached, Thomas wiped a bead of sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. A small giggle came from behind a nearby shrub. Thomas set down his small shovel and tried to see who might be there, but the garden seemed empty. He shook his head and grabbed for the shovel again, but the shovel was gone.

A small face poked out from behind Thomas’s legs. “There’s dirt on your face.”

How had the child gotten behind him without his knowing? “I’m sure you are correct. I must look like a pig rolling around in the mud.”

The little boy laughed. “You’re silly, just like Jack. Where is he?”

“Who? Jack?”

The boy nodded.

“I have no idea. Where do you usually find him?”

“Out here, or with the horses.”

That was good information for Thomas. “Would you like me to find him?”

“What’s your name?” the young boy asked.

Thomas grinned wide. “I’m Tom. I’m Jack’s helper.”

“I want to be Jack’s helper, too.” The boy stuck out his chest. He was so small.

“Where is your nursemaid?” Thomas asked.

The boy’s chest deflated, and his shoulders sagged. “She’s playing dolls with Juliet. I hate playing dolls.”

“She’s going to be worried when she doesn’t know where you are.”

His face fell even further.

“Would you like me to escort you back inside so you might tell her what we are doing?”