Page 70 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

Lavender filled a plate with some fruit to the sound of Miriam’s silverware clinking against her plate. She set it before the dowager and then made a cup of tea for herself. She didn’t trust herself to be able to eat amid the questions that would surely arise. “As you know,” Lavender began as she sat down, “I would like to visit Lord Chilcott. Last night, I believe he quite enjoyed my company. With how eagerly he has been seeking me out these past months, I don’t believe my speaking of the future would be wholly unexpected.”

Miriam stuffed a large bite into her mouth and looked at the dowager.

“It is . . . unconventional for the lady to make her feelings and desires known to a gentleman until he has confessed his intentions,” the dowager said as she set her napkin on her lap.

“Yes, I know,” Lavender agreed. “But it is also unconventional to force someone into a courtship, is it not?”

Miriam slapped the table with her hand. “Precisely! Why are we not giving the man the cut direct when he has treated you so abominably?”

Lavender forced another smile. “I give you full permission to give him the cut direct upon our leaving his home, but I need whatever information he has to be able to find the lost duke. He believes he is using me, so I’ll use him in return.” She took a sip of her tea as if she weren’t discussing treachery over breakfast. When no one replied, she went on. “My other option would be to go to Mr. Lanscombe and ask for him to renew his attentions to me.”

“That insufferable man that came last week? I forbid it.” Miriam’s face began to flush pink.

Lavender set her hand atop of Miriam’s and squeezed. “I want to avoid that route as much as you do. Allow me to try to find the duke in my own way. If I can clear his name, I expect he will return to society. If I’m lucky, he might even consider marrying me as a means of saying thank you for saving him from beheading.” As gruesome as the thought was, if the duke was proven guilty, that would be his fate.

Miriam grimaced. “Romeo and Juliet would have never allowed such trivial things to get in the way of true love.”

“Treason is not such a trivial matter. And who said anything about true love?” Lavender asked, masking the slice of pain at the idea behind a smile.

Miriam opened and closed her mouth as her cheeks turned crimson. “Do you know nothing about me? I am true love’s biggest proponent. I simply don’t think you should marry before you’ve found that one person who makes your heart sing and your life full. I think you know who that person is.” She raised an eyebrow at Lavender in accusation.

The dowager duchess coughed, but Lavender suspected she was covering a laugh. Did everyone in the household know about Lavender’s feelings for Tom? But no, Miriam would not advise her to marry so far beneath her station. Surely she only wanted Lavender to continue trying to find someone else that suited her fancy. “That is where you and I differ. I came here to bring my family peace, not to find love. In fact, my goals have been specifically not to find love but to find someone who will allow me use of their incredible library.”

Miriam stuffed another bite into her mouth in an obvious attempt to silence herself on the matter.

“A library?” The dowager asked. “Have you a list of gentlemen who have such a library?”

“I know a couple.” Lavender lifted her chin in a show of confidence.

The dowager smiled. “And who are they?”

“The Duke of Fenleigh has an incredible library.”

Miriam began choking on her food. Coughing and leaning over the table. Lavender stood to go to her aide, but Miriam swatted her away, her eyes watering.

“Can I get you anything?” Lavender asked.

Miriam took a long drink of her tea and coughed once more. “I am well, not to worry.” She wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I don’t know what came over me.” She looked down at her heaping plate and smiled. “I am quite hungry this morning. Perhaps you could tell us more about Fenleigh’s library?”

Lavender tried to temper her smile. “Words would not do it justice.”

Miriam rang the bell and Savannah stepped into the room. “Would you be so kind as to fetch Tom for us?”

Savannah bobbed a small curtsy and left the room.

Lavender clenched her teeth together. She knew that reacting to Tom’s presence would be a mistake in this particular moment. She turned to the dowager. “Do you know other gentlemen with exquisite libraries?”

Chapter 34

Why did London summers have to be so hot? Thomas was covered in dirt from his hands to his elbows and likely across his brow as well. But he’d chosen the garden over the horse’s stalls again. He could only take that amount of ribbing by his fellow servants once. He’d attacked each garden bed in turn, pulling any stray weeds. There weren’t enough to keep him truly occupied. He was far too efficient at this point of his gardening career. So he’d decided to work the soil around the plants, mixing it up and spreading it out evenly once again. His back ached like he’d been pulling a cart all day. But still it did not outweigh the pain in his chest.

If today ended up being his last day under Samuel’s employ, he wanted to leave on good terms. Nothing would be said implying he hadn’t learned to work. But that was an understatement. He’d learned far more than that. He’d learned friendship and humor from Jack, trust and loyalty from Samuel, patience and gratitude from Miriam, compassion from the dowager, and sacrifice and love from Lady Lavender.

All of that learning needed to come to an end so that he might apply the knowledge. He was going to leave Samuel’s employ and the Duke of Fenleigh was going to turn up again, for better or for worse. He had to stop running from the fear of what might happen and face Lord Chilcott’s rumors head on. It was no longer an option after that kiss. He’d risk his own neck just for another chance to hold Lady Lavender in his arms again.

“Tom,” the new maid, Savannah, called to him. “You’re requested in the breakfast room.” She looked him over. “You’d best wash up quick like.”

“Thank you, Savannah,” Thomas said. He winced as he straightened to stand. “Do you know the reason I am called for?”