Page 42 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

A pompous looking gentleman atop a horse was looking down at her. “You are excused, and you will receive no references from me.” He spat at her.

The men who had gathered around followed suit, spitting and jeering at her.

Thomas tugged on the sleeve of the man closest to him. “What did she do?”

“Almost poisoned him, she did. That’s what she gets for trying to read when cook was out.” The smell of port permeated the man’s speech.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“She read the recipe wrong. The fish for dinner was so bad, the master almost vomited right there at the table. She’s stepped outta line, trying to be more than what she is.”

“All because she made a mistake?”

The man tipped his head up to confront Thomas. “That’s what I said.” He squinted to look closer at him. “Don’t I know you?”

Thomas ducked his chin. “No. You don’t,” he lied. He was sure he’d seen the servant at some point, although he’d never known his name. Thomas turned to the girl. “Get up, and follow me.”

The man atop his horse sneered at Thomas. “Where are you taking the upstart?” He waggled his brows. “To have a little fun?”

Thomas met his eyes. “I’m taking her to be under the protection of the duke.”

She grabbed Thomas’s hand, and he pulled her back beyond the gate, ignoring the yelling crowd behind him. To his great relief, the other members of the duke’s staff had stayed beside him. They closed a tight circle around the crying girl until they got to the back door. “Thanks gents. I’ll take her into Mrs. Bitters. You’ve done well.”

They nodded at him and dispatched themselves to their tasks. Thomas opened the door that led to the kitchen and popped his head in. “Mrs. Bitters, do you have a scone we can share with my new friend?”

Mrs. Bitters wiped her hands on her apron and waved the trembling girl inside. “Goodness, child. Come in.” She wrapped the girl in a hug and led her to the table. Then she looked at Thomas. “What happened?”

Thomas relayed what had occurred in the street, his blood boiling with the injustice of it.

Mrs. Bitters put her hand on his shoulder. “Go wash up, Tom. Cool your head. I’ll take care of her. But it might be best for you to speak with His Grace about it all.”

He nodded and went to do as she bid. While he cleaned himself up, he thought of Jack and how he’d been so fast to learn his letters. Perhaps if all the servants were given an education, maybe they wouldn’t be treated as livestock. When he got back to parliament, he was going to fight for them.

The last thing he did was shave his face, which turned out not to be a task for the faint-hearted. Then he knocked on the door to the duke’s study.

“Come in,” Samuel called.

Thomas pushed the door the study open. “Might I speak with you, Your Grace?”

Samuel’s eyes went wide. “Of course. Come in and shut the door.”

When the door clicked shut behind him, he heard Samuel sigh. “Why have you gotten rid of your beard?”

“I’m going to return to parliament.” It was a decision he hadn’t made lightly. Not only would he be able to do some good for the lower class that he’d been learning to love so well, but this way, he could apologize to Lady Lavender and see if she would give him a chance knowing who he really was.

“I know I can’t make you stay, but I wish you would.” Samuel ran a hand down his face. “Someone said they saw you today. The man was foxed and spouting off all sorts of nonsense, but he recognized you out on the street.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“At White’s. Lord Chilcott marched in triumphant as a captain of the army and announced that he finally had a lead on your whereabouts. He gave the inebriated man fifty pounds. Now Lord Chilcott is up to his eyes in people telling him about your whereabouts. But the worst part is that a few of the stories are matching up. The Lord Chancellor decided it was time he dispatched a team of searchers to your estates.”

Thomas fell into a leather chair across the large desk in the center of the room. “What would happen if I just met them there?”

“The price for your person, dead or alive, is now one thousand pounds. It is not wise to risk it.” Samuel motioned to Thomas’s face. “Shaving isn’t helping your case either.”

“I can’t stay here forever. I expect you to give me that hat.” Thomas tried to joke, but it fell flat. “If I stay here, I’m putting your family in danger. I can’t do that to you.”

Samuel shook his head. “I might have a solution, at least until your hair can grow back in. I need you to take up residence in the guest chamber as a sick relative.”