Chapter 13 #2
Miss Hartley handed Liliana over carefully. Nicolette settled the baby against her shoulder with natural ease, laughing when Liliana immediately grabbed a fistful of her dark hair and gave it a cheerful tug.
“Oh, she’s got spirit,” Nicolette said, bouncing Liliana gently.
“She has a face that will cause problems in about eighteen years. Mark my words, Your Grace. The young gentlemen of the county will be lining up at your door with dueling pistols and terrible poetry. You’ll need a full regiment of footmen just to keep them out. ”
Liliana gurgled happily and patted her new friend’s cheek, leaving a small, damp mark. Nicolette only laughed harder, completely unbothered.
Miss Hartley stood nearby, her expression soft and tender as she watched the interaction. Nicolette noticed her and smiled, warm but direct.
"And you must be Miss Hartley," Nicolette said, shifting Liliana comfortably in her arms. Her eyes were curious but not unkind.
"The one keeping this household from complete chaos, from what I hear. Anyone who can settle a baby and a duke simultaneously deserves some sort of medal.” she said, shifting Liliana comfortably in her arms. “Nicolette Upperton, from the neighboring estate. I apologize in advance for any chaos I bring into this house. These two tend to bring out my more argumentative side.”
Miss Hartley offered a polite curtsy, a small, genuine smile touching her lips. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Upperton. Liliana seems quite taken with you already.”
“She has excellent taste,” came the reply, before Nicolette turned a teasing look toward Roman.
“I do hope His Grace isn’t working you too hard, Miss Hartley.
Dukes can be terribly demanding creatures.
If he starts expecting you to reorganize the entire estate before breakfast, you have my full permission to stage a quiet rebellion. I’ll even supply the pitchforks.”
Miss Hartley’s eyes widened slightly, but she recovered with admirable composure. “The duke has been very kind, Miss Upperton. Both to Liliana and to me. I have no complaints whatsoever.”
Nicolette grinned, clearly enjoying herself.
“Kind? Well, now, that is high praise. I’ve known Langley since we were children running wild through these fields, and ‘kind’ is rarely the first word that comes to mind.
Stubborn? Definitely. Brooding? Almost always.
But kind?” She glanced at Roman with mock surprise.
“You must have worked some sort of miracle on him, Miss Hartley. Do share your secret before he returns to his usual intimidating self.”
Roman raised an eyebrow, though the corner of his mouth twitched. “I am sitting right here, Miss Upperton.”
“Exactly my point,” she shot back without missing a beat.
She turned back to Miss Hartley, her tone shifting to something more friendly and conspiratorial.
“In all seriousness, if you ever need a break from this lot, my estate is only a short ride away. I could use an intelligent companion that isn’t obsessed with boundary lines and ancient tax laws. ”
Orson, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke. “Some of us prefer order to chaos, Miss Upperton.”
Nicolette shot him a look that was equal parts challenge and something warmer. “And some of us prefer progress to stagnation, Lord Ashmore. Though I suppose we can agree to disagree while I continue winning every argument.”
Orson’s gaze held hers a fraction longer than necessary. “We shall see about that.”
Liliana chose that moment to lunge toward Miss Hartley again, and Nicolette handed her back with a laugh. “She knows exactly who she wants. Clever girl.”
Miss Hartley took Liliana, settling her comfortably against her shoulder. The baby immediately grabbed a fistful of her dress and rested her head there, content.
Nicolette went quiet for a moment, which was unlike her. Her eyes stayed on Miss Hartley and Liliana with an expression Roman couldn't quite read. Then it passed, and she was herself again.
“You’re very good with her,” she said to Miss Hartley, direct as always. “It shows.”
Miss Hartley’s cheeks warmed, but she managed a quiet, “Thank you.”
After the maps had been rolled and more sharp words exchanged with Orson, Nicolette paused beside Roman near the doorway. She spoke quietly, so only he could hear.
“Your nursemaid holds that baby like a mother, not like hired help, Langley.”
Roman’s gaze flicked toward Miss Hartley, who was now speaking softly to Liliana. Before he could respond, she turned toward Orson with a final, pointed look.
“I will bring the updated survey maps next week,” she said.
Orson crossed his arms. “That will not be necessary, Miss Upperton. I can manage the correspondence from here.”
Nicolette smiled, slowly and entirely too satisfied. “I wasn’t asking, Lord Ashmore.”
With that, she swept out, the sound of her boots echoing down the hall. Orson stared after her for several seconds longer than strictly necessary.
Roman remained in the study long after the others had gone, a glass of brandy in hand. He stared into the fire, Orson’s words from the morning ride echoing in his mind. Whatever is happening in that room is not something that ends well for a duke and a servant.
And now Nicolette’s observation, delivered so casually yet so precisely. She holds that baby like a mother.
Both pointed in the same direction. A direction Roman had been trying very hard not to look at directly.
He took a slow sip of brandy, but the warmth did little to settle the growing restlessness in his chest.