Read Online Guarding the Spoils (The Wild Randalls - Book 3) by Heather Boyd - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Heather Boyd
Ads: Link
We can put him here.”
The duchess rose and studied the drawing, her head nodding as she considered. “That will do nicely.”
George dropped a silver implement on the floor, drawing her attention. He’d made a very good dent in the polishing but as she studied his sullen expression, she decided he had a better use. “Would you agree that it is your wish to have Mr. Randall and his books removed to another part of the abbey as soon as possible, Your Grace?”
The duchess nodded. “He will be difficult.”
If the duchess agreed to her plan, she could have George distract Oliver long enough so that she could move his possessions today. “Don’t be concerned about Mr. Randall.” She glanced at her son. “I believe I can concoct the perfect distraction.”
The duchess grinned impishly. “I wondered if you might. Shall I take George with me? Edwin would love to see him.”
Beth shook her head, puzzled by the duchess’s offer. “I will need George. He will be the one to distract Mr. Randall, as I am told they were to explore the abbey again today. I can tidy up while he’s busy elsewhere without hearing any arguments. Later, he may not be so pleased, but it will be far too late by that point.”
“Oh.” Her Grace winced. “I thought you were suggesting that you and he might…”
Beth stared, nonplussed. “Might what?”
The duchess resettled in her chair, her hand waving about as if she searched for the right words. After a moment, she squared her shoulders and met Beth’s gaze directly. “Well, you are very lovely and Oliver does stare at you so much. I just assumed the two of you had become more than friends.”
Beth’s cheeks heated at the idea. “I am not so foolish as that. It is simply his way. We are but specimens beneath his magnifying glass, forgotten the moment his attention is diverted elsewhere. Oliver stares at everything.”
“But at you more than others.”
Was it possible to die from humiliation? Since she’d survived it once before, she doubted she couldn’t again. To succumb to anyone’s seductions would endanger her position as housekeeper. To consider a dalliance with Oliver Randall would prove her without good sense. Beth had mistakenly believed him interested once, when she’d been younger, and had the door to happiness slammed in her face when she’d overheard his views on his future. She couldn’t afford to lose the security she’d fought so hard to gain. The duchess must never have any doubts about her character. “Regardless of your assumption, incorrect I must stress, I do know my place, my lady. I shall never do anything to bring dishonor on your family or my place here.”
“Mrs. Turner, before Leopold returned I had convinced myself that I was perfectly happy with my life. I was alone and completely in control, or at least as much as I could be under the circumstances. Do you know the one thing I missed most when I became a widow? The lack of contact. Touching another person and having them touch me in return, for whatever reason, I’ve found is essential to my happiness.”
Astonished by the candid confession, Beth strove to keep her expression neutral. “I have George for affection. He has not grown so large that he shuns my embraces.”
“I was not talking about a mother’s love for her child, but a man’s ardent return of affection. There is nothing quite like it.” The duchess grinned again. “I don’t expect you to hide an attachment or affection should romance develop. A little dishonor can be very soothing to one’s nerves.”
Beth shrugged to hide her discomfort. “I do not agree with you.”
The duchess’s expression grew thoughtful, her stare quite similar to Oliver’s wordless study. “Then I fear you never really loved or were loved in return. How sad. I think there is much to admire about you, Beth. You deserve to be adored and have a man make a fool of himself on your behalf. I believe Oliver has the beginnings of real feelings
The duchess rose and studied the drawing, her head nodding as she considered. “That will do nicely.”
George dropped a silver implement on the floor, drawing her attention. He’d made a very good dent in the polishing but as she studied his sullen expression, she decided he had a better use. “Would you agree that it is your wish to have Mr. Randall and his books removed to another part of the abbey as soon as possible, Your Grace?”
The duchess nodded. “He will be difficult.”
If the duchess agreed to her plan, she could have George distract Oliver long enough so that she could move his possessions today. “Don’t be concerned about Mr. Randall.” She glanced at her son. “I believe I can concoct the perfect distraction.”
The duchess grinned impishly. “I wondered if you might. Shall I take George with me? Edwin would love to see him.”
Beth shook her head, puzzled by the duchess’s offer. “I will need George. He will be the one to distract Mr. Randall, as I am told they were to explore the abbey again today. I can tidy up while he’s busy elsewhere without hearing any arguments. Later, he may not be so pleased, but it will be far too late by that point.”
“Oh.” Her Grace winced. “I thought you were suggesting that you and he might…”
Beth stared, nonplussed. “Might what?”
The duchess resettled in her chair, her hand waving about as if she searched for the right words. After a moment, she squared her shoulders and met Beth’s gaze directly. “Well, you are very lovely and Oliver does stare at you so much. I just assumed the two of you had become more than friends.”
Beth’s cheeks heated at the idea. “I am not so foolish as that. It is simply his way. We are but specimens beneath his magnifying glass, forgotten the moment his attention is diverted elsewhere. Oliver stares at everything.”
“But at you more than others.”
Was it possible to die from humiliation? Since she’d survived it once before, she doubted she couldn’t again. To succumb to anyone’s seductions would endanger her position as housekeeper. To consider a dalliance with Oliver Randall would prove her without good sense. Beth had mistakenly believed him interested once, when she’d been younger, and had the door to happiness slammed in her face when she’d overheard his views on his future. She couldn’t afford to lose the security she’d fought so hard to gain. The duchess must never have any doubts about her character. “Regardless of your assumption, incorrect I must stress, I do know my place, my lady. I shall never do anything to bring dishonor on your family or my place here.”
“Mrs. Turner, before Leopold returned I had convinced myself that I was perfectly happy with my life. I was alone and completely in control, or at least as much as I could be under the circumstances. Do you know the one thing I missed most when I became a widow? The lack of contact. Touching another person and having them touch me in return, for whatever reason, I’ve found is essential to my happiness.”
Astonished by the candid confession, Beth strove to keep her expression neutral. “I have George for affection. He has not grown so large that he shuns my embraces.”
“I was not talking about a mother’s love for her child, but a man’s ardent return of affection. There is nothing quite like it.” The duchess grinned again. “I don’t expect you to hide an attachment or affection should romance develop. A little dishonor can be very soothing to one’s nerves.”
Beth shrugged to hide her discomfort. “I do not agree with you.”
The duchess’s expression grew thoughtful, her stare quite similar to Oliver’s wordless study. “Then I fear you never really loved or were loved in return. How sad. I think there is much to admire about you, Beth. You deserve to be adored and have a man make a fool of himself on your behalf. I believe Oliver has the beginnings of real feelings
Similar Books
