“Is she there, boy?” James stared at the door and immediately realized what a fool he was.
He couldn’t resist imagining her in a sprawling bed, clothes discarded, hair spilling across the pillow—
A light flickered at the end of the hall as Mrs. Fox climbed the stairs.
“I heard footsteps in the hall and wondered if anything was amiss at such an early hour.” Sheglanced pointedly at the door that Hercules had indicated before turning an expectant gaze back on James.
“I couldn’t sleep,” he told her quietly. “Thought I might go for an early morning walk.”
“By all means, my lord.” She gestured toward the staircase, and James took the cue.
The housekeeper followed behind, her footfalls virtually silent. Only when they reached the bottom of the stairs did she address him again.
“Shall I have tea brought up to the dining room? We lay breakfast out on the sideboard there, but not for several hours.”
“Tea would be appreciated. Coffee, more so.”
Thatalmostbrought a smile to the lady’s lips. “Coffee it will be, Lord Rossbury.” Something else was on her mind and on the tip of her tongue, judging by the way she started to speak and then stopped herself but remained with him in the foyer.
“Speak your mind, Mrs. Fox. I prefer it.”
A tongue-lashing from a starchy housekeeper was far preferable to being locked in a drawing room again or having his coffee poisoned.
“I don’t wish to be impertinent, my lord.”
“I’m giving you leave to be as brutal as you like.”
“In truth, I only have two questions.” She swallowed once more and squared her shoulders. “Why must you sell Invermere so urgently?”
“I need funds. My uncle’s title came with debts and no real assets. Except this manor house.” Jameslooked around at the elegant marble of the floor, the classical styling of the cornices, and the vibrant display of art on the walls. He couldn’t imagine his uncle at home in a place such as Invermere.
“It’s clear that your mistress loves the house.” Even a fool could see it was more Lady Cassandra Munro’s than his uncle’s. “I’m sure we can come to an arrangement that suits her.”
At least he hoped that was true. He didn’t relish being a villain, but he would have little choice if it came to that.
“I hope so, my lord.”
James offered her a nod and a sympathetic smile. Only the jerk of her shoulders, as if he’d shocked her, indicated she’d noticed his expression at all.
He could intuit her fears. He understood them and sympathized with them. As a young man making his way in London, he’d lost jobs that meant the difference between paying for lodgings and sleeping rough. As a failed businessman, he’d had to deliver the worst news imaginable to men and women under his employ.
“Whatever happens, I’ll see to it that you and the rest of the staff are employed.”
“I prefer to stay with Lady Cassandra.” Her voice hardened to match her posture.
“Understood. And I admire your loyalty.” Hercules nudged James’s leg, as if the dog wanted recognition for his loyalty too, regardless of how easily given it had been. James patted the hound’s head. “It says a great deal about her ladyshipeven before I’ve met her. Now ask me the second question.”
“The inquiry may offend you.”
“Go on.” James felt a bit like he and the housekeeper were playing a game of chess, and she was about to reveal a trick move that he should have anticipated.
“What are your intentions toward Lady Lucy Westmont?”
His body reacted before he could get a single word out. Heat streaked up his neck, and his throat went dry. And Mrs. Fox, who he suspected never missed much, seemed to perceive an answer he wasn’t yet prepared to put into words.
Rather than waiting for his reply, she spoke again. “Lady Lucy is very dear to her aunt, and though Invermere’s staff understands discretion, I intend to ensure that no aspersions could ever be cast on her character. Especially while our mistress is away.”
“I would never cause her harm or allow any to come to her.”
