Read Online A Kiss for Lady Mary by Ella Quinn - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Ella Quinn
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The more he considered it, the better he liked the notion.
He lost himself in the music of her voice. Daffodils, hyacinths and other spring bulbs were making an appearance. Lilacs in bloom lined the garden on one side. New plants seemed to be everywhere. He took out his quizzing glass. Roses. Dozens of them, underplanted with lavender and probably other herbs. He wondered if she had added lamb’s ears, as well. As a child, they had been his favorite. If not, he would suggest it. The property was much more pleasant than he’d remembered.
“I should have planted in autumn, but the design hadn’t come to me then.” She furrowed her brow, as if rethinking her decision. “Daniels assures me they’ll be fine.”
Kit remembered the name from the list of servants. Though there appeared to be many more than he was paying for. “Where did the footmen come from?”
“Grandmamma arranged for them. I hired more maids. Eunice and I share the cost.”
He appreciated her frugality on his behalf, but it was not as though he couldn’t easily bear the expense himself. “I think the estate can afford them.”
Lady Mary shook her head firmly. “No, it would not be right. You should only have to pay for the staff necessary to keep Rose Hill running, not for the cost of my aunt and me being here.” She paced along beside him, then stopped. “In fact, as soon as I come into my inheritance, I shall pay the past rent on the house. It is only fair.”
Damn it all. He didn’t want payment for her being here. “In that case, I shall pay you for the improvements you’ve made and for acting as steward, which will, no doubt, equal the rent, or”—he paused—“possibly more.”
Placing her hands on her hips, she faced him squarely. “Now you are being silly.”
He met her gaze and raised his brows. “No sillier than you. After having only servants living in it for so many years, I cannot imagine the estate was in the excellent condition I find it in now.”
“No, it wasn’t.” She pulled on her bottom lip with her teeth, and Kit had trouble tearing his gaze from her mouth. “Very well, we’ll call it an even trade.”
“I agree.” He took her hand, returning it to his arm as they strolled through the rest of the tour. He listened with part of his mind as she prattled engagingly about the garden and the changes to the estate, while with the rest he applied himself to the problem of her masquerade.
Kit was quite sure Lady Mary had been truthful with him, yet there was something else going on. Something of which she might not be aware, and there were the cousin and uncle to deal with as well. Her grandmother seemed to be the lynchpin of everything that had happened. Once he had all the pieces of the puzzle he would solve it, of that he had no doubt. He grinned. Even if they had to come up with a story regarding when they had married and why they had been so private, at least the problem of whom he would wed was resolved. All that was left was to convince Lady Mary that he was a good bargain as a husband.
Bridgewater House, Mayfair, London
“Are you sure it was him, Your Grace?” Constance’s dresser, Anderson, asked as she stood beside a window in the first floor parlor, hidden from view by the drapes.
“Almost positive. A shame there are so many people in Berkeley Square. It makes it easier for blackguards to hide.” Constance stared at the window from a safe distance. She did not dare look out again herself. If Gawain Tolliver saw her, he would realize that she knew he was watching the house. “Get that young maid. Athey, isn’t it? She can recognize the scoundrel. By the way, how is she doing?”
“Picking up her duties quite well.” Anderson pulled the braided bell pull three times. “I have her cleaning one of your carriage gowns. She’ll be a skilled dresser in no time.”
Not long afterward Miss Athey entered the room and curtseyed. “Yes, Your Grace?”
“Find something to do around
He lost himself in the music of her voice. Daffodils, hyacinths and other spring bulbs were making an appearance. Lilacs in bloom lined the garden on one side. New plants seemed to be everywhere. He took out his quizzing glass. Roses. Dozens of them, underplanted with lavender and probably other herbs. He wondered if she had added lamb’s ears, as well. As a child, they had been his favorite. If not, he would suggest it. The property was much more pleasant than he’d remembered.
“I should have planted in autumn, but the design hadn’t come to me then.” She furrowed her brow, as if rethinking her decision. “Daniels assures me they’ll be fine.”
Kit remembered the name from the list of servants. Though there appeared to be many more than he was paying for. “Where did the footmen come from?”
“Grandmamma arranged for them. I hired more maids. Eunice and I share the cost.”
He appreciated her frugality on his behalf, but it was not as though he couldn’t easily bear the expense himself. “I think the estate can afford them.”
Lady Mary shook her head firmly. “No, it would not be right. You should only have to pay for the staff necessary to keep Rose Hill running, not for the cost of my aunt and me being here.” She paced along beside him, then stopped. “In fact, as soon as I come into my inheritance, I shall pay the past rent on the house. It is only fair.”
Damn it all. He didn’t want payment for her being here. “In that case, I shall pay you for the improvements you’ve made and for acting as steward, which will, no doubt, equal the rent, or”—he paused—“possibly more.”
Placing her hands on her hips, she faced him squarely. “Now you are being silly.”
He met her gaze and raised his brows. “No sillier than you. After having only servants living in it for so many years, I cannot imagine the estate was in the excellent condition I find it in now.”
“No, it wasn’t.” She pulled on her bottom lip with her teeth, and Kit had trouble tearing his gaze from her mouth. “Very well, we’ll call it an even trade.”
“I agree.” He took her hand, returning it to his arm as they strolled through the rest of the tour. He listened with part of his mind as she prattled engagingly about the garden and the changes to the estate, while with the rest he applied himself to the problem of her masquerade.
Kit was quite sure Lady Mary had been truthful with him, yet there was something else going on. Something of which she might not be aware, and there were the cousin and uncle to deal with as well. Her grandmother seemed to be the lynchpin of everything that had happened. Once he had all the pieces of the puzzle he would solve it, of that he had no doubt. He grinned. Even if they had to come up with a story regarding when they had married and why they had been so private, at least the problem of whom he would wed was resolved. All that was left was to convince Lady Mary that he was a good bargain as a husband.
Bridgewater House, Mayfair, London
“Are you sure it was him, Your Grace?” Constance’s dresser, Anderson, asked as she stood beside a window in the first floor parlor, hidden from view by the drapes.
“Almost positive. A shame there are so many people in Berkeley Square. It makes it easier for blackguards to hide.” Constance stared at the window from a safe distance. She did not dare look out again herself. If Gawain Tolliver saw her, he would realize that she knew he was watching the house. “Get that young maid. Athey, isn’t it? She can recognize the scoundrel. By the way, how is she doing?”
“Picking up her duties quite well.” Anderson pulled the braided bell pull three times. “I have her cleaning one of your carriage gowns. She’ll be a skilled dresser in no time.”
Not long afterward Miss Athey entered the room and curtseyed. “Yes, Your Grace?”
“Find something to do around
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