Read Online Saved By A Siren: Spencers in Love Book One by Abigail Graves - Free Book Online

back against the couch and
softly caressed the tops of her feet as he stared unseeing out the opened
French doors. He looked over his shoulder as Holderson entered. He made no
effort to disturb Elise. Gilles trusted the older man and was confidant that he
understood his intentions.
                "May I get you anything,my lord?" He
whispered.
                Gilles looked up at Holderson. His expression
was soft and his eyes twinkled.
                "It's early, but I'll take a brandy. I've a
lot on my mind."
                "I understand." Holderson went to the
sideboard where a decanter had recently been placed. It seems he did understand
if he was adding amenities to make the room more comfortable for Gilles. He
looked around the room and spotted the books he'd brought from London on the
table next to his chair. His chair. He smiled. Elise's comment about how
familiar they'd become came back to him.
                "Holderson, that letter I sent this morning
was to my mother. I've asked her to come to Longwood to act as a chaperone for
Lady Elise and I. I expect that she'll arrive some time tomorrow and that my
brother and sister will accompany her. The Duke of Clerendon will most likely
come within a week. His mother as well, at a later date."
                "I look forward to welcoming them to
Longwood, my lord.", handing Gilles a generous portion of Brandy.
                Gilles took a long sip and sighed.
                "What do you think my greatest obstacle is,
Holderson?"
                The old man considered for a moment.
                "She will think she's unsuitable and that
you would be happier if you chose someone else."
                Gilles looked at her. Her hair had come loose
and the light was as content to hover around her as he was. She seemed to glow.
                "She couldn't be more wrong." He said
softly as he raised the brandy to his lips.
                "Indeed." replied Holderson as he
found a pillow and placed it behind Gilles' back.
                "You don't oppose this?" When had a
butler's opinion come to matter so much?
                "I do not."
                "How can you be sure I'm worthy in so
little time?"
                "For three reasons, my lord. One, you knew
you'd fallen in love before I'd brung the tea yesterday and you aren't trying o
fight it. Two, you are the kind of man that care's about how his staff regards
him and would humble himself to apologize over a misunderstanding. Furthermore,
you would consider a butler's opinion in a matter such as this."
                "This is a rather unusual situation. You're
a great deal more than a butler to her."
                "I am. And you recognize that. Would you
like me to bring tea and perhaps something more than scones? I noticed that you
didn't finish your breakfast."
                Gilles shook his head.
                "Just this for now. I don't want the tea
cold when she wakes up."
                Holderson smiled warmly.
                "Very good, my lord."
                "You said three reasons. What's the
third?"
                The old man picked up a shawl and draped it
across Elise.
                "I've taken great care in preparing her
meals since she was four. Any time she's needed a new plate, someone has sent
for me. No one else would think to try. This morning, there were two identical
plates prepared for her and I'd only been responsible for one. It's a great
comfort for me to know that someone else can do that for her when I'm no longer
here." With that he left Gilles to his thoughts.
     
                Later, Gilles examined the tapestries in the
main hall as he waited for Elise to come down for dinner and reflected on the
afternoon. He'd enjoyed watching her nap for almost an