Page 44 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

After Thomas had been so sure of revealing himself, it was disheartening to discover his plan was utter rot. “I’ll try to bide my time. Thank you both for your help.” Thomas turned to the door.

“You can’t just walk out of here,” Samuel stated. “Let me check the corridor and then we’ll sneak you up to a spare room. You have a head cold. Understood?”

As much as he hated it, Thomas did understand. He had to trust that his time would come, and everything would work out for the best.

Chapter 21

Lavender held Jack’s hand as she applied more carron oil to his burns. The vast majority of his injuries had healed enough that they didn’t reopen anymore when he opened and closed his fists. The skin was still pink, and she was sure he was hurting sometimes, but he hardly ever flinched anymore when she touched him. “You’re healing nicely, Jack.”

The redheaded young man gave her a wide, toothy grin. “Thanks to you, my lady. And just in time, too.”

“In time for what?”

“I’m back to work today,” he said with more enthusiasm than Lavender would have suspected for someone who had been given a few weeks break.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t do anything that would destroy your hands. They’re still tender. Try to ease into things slowly.”

He shrugged. “I’ll do my best, but as my personal servant isn’t available to help me for a while, I’m determined to do everything I’m asked.”

She felt her brows pull together. “Why can’t Tom help you?” She’d hoped to see him after her ordeal, if for no other reason than to thank him for helping her when she was at her worst.

The kitchen door swung open and a young maid, no older than twelve, popped her head in. “Excuse me, my lady.” She dipped a curtsy. “Jack, would you be so kind as to show me where to find the cutlery? Daniel turned his spoon into a shovel, and I need a clean one. He’s gardening in Her Grace’s flowerpots.” She put a small hand over her mouth and giggled. Jack and Lavender laughed along with her.

Jack stood up and showed her the drawer where the spoons were kept. Then he turned toward Lavender. “Lady Lavender, this is Savannah. Our newest maid.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, Savannah.”

Jack looked at the young girl. “Lady Lavender is my tutor. She teaches me to read.”

Her eyes pulled wide even as her face went pale. She nodded quickly and took a spoon with her as she quit the room.

“She’s so young,” Lavender mused. She didn’t voice that the girl looked to be frightened out of her skin. She’d never scared anyone before. She looked at Jack again when he stood up and remembered their previous conversation. “Why isn’t Tom helping you anymore?”

Jack leaned forward and beckoned her closer as if he was going to tell her a secret. “He’s awful sick. The duchess is locking him in the spare room until he shows signs of getting better,” he whispered. “It’s a fine thing that he had the energy in him to save Savannah yesterday.”

“What happened to her?”

“She didn’t know how she was going to make it away from the street alive. Too many of those men were drunk and spouting off how stupid she was, from what I hear. Tom rescued her and brought her here to Mrs. Bitters.”

Lavender’s mind wasn’t grasping what had happened in the least. She wasn’t surprised that Tom had jumped in to help a woman when she was in trouble, but the scene Jack painted seemed more than a little exaggerated.

Jack came back over to where Lavender sat. “She might have died because of a silly mistake she made when trying to read.” Anger flashed across Jack’s face, an emotion she’d never seen there.

“And this is the girl Tom saved?” She took a deep breath. “Where is he? I’d like to thank him.”

Jack turned away from her. “He’s not to be disturbed. The duchess won’t budge on it, even for me.”

Lavender closed her eyes and tried to dispel the image of her dying father from her mind. Surely, Tom wasn’t that sick. But to be kept in a room above stairs was odd for a servant. Something awful must have happened. “Did he injure himself when he helped Savannah?”

Jack shook his head. “I don’t think so, but I haven’t seen him since before it all happened. I’m just telling you what Her Grace told me.”

“Was he injured while he was helping me?” She felt small and embarrassed. She knew that she’d been irrational, but the fear of what could have been had taken over her good sense.

“I think the only thing he injured was his pride. He was upset that he wasn’t there sooner.”

“It wasn’t his fault I went into the garden alone.” She swallowed a lump in her throat. She was still amazed that she was back to normal, save for the red angry bump beside her collar. “I . . . I hope he gets feeling better soon.” Lavender stood from the table. She needed to speak with Miriam about the entire situation. Not everything was adding up as it ought to. “Be wise with your hands today, Jack. And wear gloves.”

He winked at her. “I will, Lady Lavender.”