Chapter 5
James was feeling much better by the fifth day of his recovery. His wounds were still tender but manageable so long as he did not lift any heavy objects, which was not a problem since Florence would not permit him to lift anything heavier than a teacup.
He liked the way she quietly fussed over him.
The Swann housekeeper had found the footman’s livery that he was presently wearing, and Florence now had him standing up straight while she pinned the sleeve cuffs that were too long for him. “Do not move, James.”
“Not twitching a muscle,” he assured, but wished she would hurry up because he found standing in one place, even for a short while, harder on his body than simply walking around.
Ethan’s father must have had the arms of a baboon.
The sleeves dangled past his fingers, but Florence appeared to have no difficulty in making the alterations.
She took a step back to admire the result when she finished placing the final stitches on the cuffs.
The entire outfit perfectly molded to his frame as though it were made to order. “How do I look?”
She smiled at him. “Like a footman.”
He chuckled.
“You ought to change out of these clothes and don your captain’s uniform,” she said, tucking her needle and thread back in her sewing basket. “I’ll leave the room while you do. Shall I summon my grandfather’s valet to assist you?”
“No, it won’t be necessary. I can manage on my own.”
The housekeeper had returned his uniform several days ago cleaned, pressed, and the holes in the jacket imperceptible because Florence had done such a fine job of mending that, too. He was relieved to have his own clothes back and be able to walk around.
He had felt trapped while being forced to remain languishing like a lump in bed, a naked lump for those first few days.
“Let me make this quick change and then I should like a tour of your home. Is that acceptable to you, Florence?”
She nodded. “Yes, it is time you stretched your legs a bit. The Somerville ball is only two days away and we ought to know whether you are recovered enough to make the trip.”
“There is no question I am making this trip,” he said with finality. “Your grandfather assured me that my head wound is healing nicely.”
“But you were also shot, and that injury will take longer to properly heal.”
“I do not care. Neither Sir Peter nor Lady Somerville is going to change the date of their ball to accommodate me. I just need to be able to move around their residence without attracting notice. You’ll have to draw me a rough outline of the place so that I know where best to meet Lord Meade. It is imperative he and I speak.”
“Understood. This is all quite clandestine.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Do you want to beg out of my plan, Florence? I would not hold it against you. Same for your grandfather. In truth, if there was any way not to involve either of you, I would gladly pursue it.”
“But there isn’t, so you mustn’t fret about us. My grandfather and I have little to do other than pass a message on to Lord Meade mentioning where to meet you.”
He eyed her thoughtfully. “Your grandfather must be the one to relay the message. You are to keep away from Lord Meade.”
She regarded him with some surprise. “Why? Is he not your prime suspect?”
In fact, Meade was his stepbrother, slighter in build and several years younger, so that James had always felt protective of him.
“My point is, he will be closely watched. If so, I want you to keep your distance. My enemy will not think twice about an old man such as your grandfather approaching Lord Meade to relate a made-up story about Meade’s grandfather being an old schoolmate of his. ”
“While whispering instructions where to meet you?”
He nodded. “However, were a pretty thing like you to approach Meade? All eyes would suddenly be on you, and no one is going to forget you.”
She sighed. “Fine.”
He tucked a finger under her chin and tipped it upward so that her gaze met his.
“Do not play the hero, Florence. Someone is trying to sabotage the efforts of Lord Castlereagh and the Foreign Office to keep peace on the Continent. There is a dangerous game afoot and the players are in the highest echelons of government. I cannot be worrying for your safety, too. And do not dare say that you can take care of yourself, because you cannot do it under these circumstances.”
“Are you not exaggerating the danger to me?”
“Perhaps, but that is not a mistake I wish to make. You cannot match a man’s strength, and if anyone were to attempt to harm you...”
“What would you do?”
He sighed. “Move heaven and earth to save you.”
Her eyes widened. “Even if you stood to lose your own life in rescuing me?”
“Without a moment’s hesitation. How could you think I would ever do otherwise? It is my duty to keep you safe.”
She cast him a surprisingly sweet smile. “That is the nicest way of telling me to keep my snoopy nose out of your business.”
He laughed and gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead. “Let me change out of this livery, and then I’ll join you downstairs for that tour of your home.”
Once Florence had walked out and closed the door behind her, James made quick work of donning his uniform.
However, the stitches tugged painfully against his ribs when taking off his shirt and putting on another.
It did not help that he took less care than he ought to have done because he was eager to be in Florence’s company again.
How could he not marry this girl when he enjoyed being around her so much?
She thought she had made a fool of herself the other day by bursting into tears over those old memories of her parents. But it had only drawn him closer to her, for he loved that she was sentimental and compassionate.
Was this not better than involving himself with someone adept at lies and manipulation?
He looked forward to getting to know her better, although any courtship undertaken now would be interrupted by this Foreign Office business which had to come first. Still, he wanted to learn as much as he could about Florence and her life at Swann Hall while he had the chance.
It was partly selfish of him.
He knew he had competition for her heart, but it was not from any other suitor. His greatest rival was the loving grandfather who had raised her since childhood.
How was he to convince Florence to marry him and become his duchess when it meant leaving this old man and forging a new life without his daily presence? This was the true hurdle to be overcome, something he was not certain would happen even if she fell in love with him.
Well, nothing to be done about it now.
She did not even know he was a duke.
He strode into the parlor and found her waiting for him. This seemed a good place to start their tour because the portrait of her parents had been placed here. Seeing their portrait, listening to Florence as she told him about her past, added an intimacy to their tour. “How did your parents meet?”
She smiled at the portrait. “At one of those horrid ton affairs during my mother’s debut season.”
“Ah, the marriage mart you so detest.”
“They were fortunate to find each other, and I’m sure there was a good crop of men that year.”
“Unlike your years on the marriage mart? There are good and bad in every year, Florence. But the bad ones always seem to pounce first, don’t they?”
She nodded. “Why is that?”
“Because they have little to lose and everything to gain. The good ones are more deliberate and know they must take their time in finding the right wife. Deciding whether or not to take the next step is important because they cannot risk making a mistake. The bad ones? They have no scruples and could not care less.”
“I see.”
“Had you waited out the full season, I expect you would have found several good men to your liking.”
“Perhaps.” She nodded. “But does this mean you are bad? You waited no more than a day before asking to court me.”
He laughed. “No, it only means I know my mind. I’m a soldier and trained to act decisively. But it was your behavior that swayed me.”
“How did I behave?”
“With grace under pressure,” he said as they moved on to the next room which turned out to be the dining room.
It was elegant, but not grand. The rosewood table was large enough to accommodate twenty and there was a massive silver epergne sitting atop it.
The drapes were a dark green damask silk that seemed to bring out the red tones of the wood.
“You were calm, efficient, and compassionate while treating my wounds.”
“I could not leave you to die.”
“Others might have.” He shrugged. “So, what would any sensible man do when looking upon a young lady with those strengths who is also beautiful enough to have been declared a diamond, which you would have been had you bothered to remain in London. But it is the quieter life in the countryside that calls to you.”
“We have an active social life here, even if it not quite the London whirl. Brighton is not far away, and particularly popular in the summer. This is where we go if we are of a mind to seek more elegant company.”
“Are you ever of a mind to do so?”
She laughed. “Rarely, although it is fun to spend a day or two by the sea in summer. Brighton has excellent shops near the beach promenade including one to rival the ices to be had at Gunter’s.”
They moved on to the library, perhaps the most impressive room yet. “This is my grandfather’s favorite room in the house.”
It came as little surprise to James. Florence’s grandfather was a scholarly man and had amassed an excellent selection of books. “I can see why. It would be mine, as well.”
“Yours, James? That is surprising. You strike me as a man of action.”
“Can I not be both?”
She nodded. “I suppose.”
When they completed the tour of the main floors, James suggested they walk outdoors. “I haven’t seen Pegasus in several days,” he said, referring to his trusted steed.
“He is being well cared for. Ethan takes him out for a run every day. But I’m sure Pegasus is missing his master.” She donned a pelisse and led him to the stable. “Do not overdo it. Honestly, I’m not certain we should be taking any hikes outdoors yet, even if it is only to the stable.”
“I am not doddering, Florence. We won’t stay long. I just want to see my horse.”
“Where did you get him?” she asked when they reached his stall.
“On the Continent during the war. He was too fine an animal to leave behind.” He shook his head and chuckled. “His passage to England cost more than mine.”
She smiled at him. “I can see why. He’s a handsome fellow.”
“And I am not?”
She nudged him playfully. “You know you are, so do not pretend to be coy about your looks. I can see you riding into London on that magnificent beast and catching the eye of everyone you pass.”
“That is not necessarily a good thing. In fact, the last thing I need is attention, especially if I am required to hunt down this nemesis of mine.”
Pegasus munched on his hay, ignoring both of them as they stood beside his stall and stroked his coat.
Florence looked up at James again. “You know....”
“What, Florence?”
“If you wish to remain incognito, my grandfather and I could open up our London town house and bring you along as our footman.”
James arched an eyebrow. “I would very much enjoy touring the sights of London with you as your devoted servant, but I dare not involve the two of you any more than I already have.”
“Think about it,” she said in earnest. “I’m sure my grandfather will be all in favor of the idea. There is nothing to hold us here after the ball.”
“Nothing at all?” He took a moment to ponder the notion. “Although I have seen little beyond your manor house and this stable, I know Swann Hall operates as a working farm.”
“Our estate manager will take care of whatever crops are left to be harvested, and Mrs. Lynch runs an immaculate home without need of our guidance. It won’t take me or my grandfather long to pack since we each keep a full wardrobe at our London residence.
As for Pegasus, he can either remain here or Ethan can ride him to London any time you like. ”
“No, Florence.”
She stared at him while she digested his refusal. “Oh, I see. You do not want me around.”
“I do want you with me, just not yet. I’ll send for you once it is safe to do so, but not before.”
She cast him a vulnerable smile. “You won’t send for me. Let’s not pretend that you will.”
He took her hand when she turned to leave. “I could admit that you are right, that I am no better than a schoolboy whose head will be turned by all the tempting bosoms on display in a glittering ballroom, but that would be a lie. Why are you so reluctant to admit there is something between us?”
“Why are you so stubbornly insistent that there is?” she tossed back.
“Shall I kiss you to convince you, Florence?”
She let out a soft breath. “I am sure I will like it because I expect you are quite expert at making a woman melt in your arms. They all melt, don’t they?”
“It so happens they do. But that is not the question you should be asking me.”
She frowned. “What should I be asking?”
“Whether kissing you makes me melt...and do you wish to know the answer to that?”