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you.”
    “I would call it practical.” James rose to his feet and returned to the table, where he placed a pat of butter on top of the toasted bread. “You may wish to eat while it’s hot, or my efforts will be for naught.”
    He held the chair for her, helping her slide in close to the tray. She picked up a knife to spread the melting butter, then added a dollop of strawberry jam. The first bite was buttery and sweet yet still warm and crisp the way she liked it.
    “Mmm,” she said around a mouthful. “Delicious.”
    James took another slice of bread over to the hearth and began to toast that one over the flames as well. “I’m glad to hear it. No young lady should have to endure the affliction of cold toast.”
    Hunkered down, he cast a wry grin over his shoulder and Blythe found herself returning the smile. They might have been a lady and a gentleman bantering at a ball. How peculiar to feel so at ease with a footman. His audacity seemed to be an innate character trait, and it only made her more curious about him.
    She brushed the crumbs from her fingers. “You haven’t always been a servant, have you?”
    As he came forward with the second piece of toast, he cast a hooded glance at her. “May I ask why you say that?”
    “You speak well, you look me straight in the eye, and you’re more candid than anyone else on staff.”
    Lowering his gaze, James immediately assumed a more servile posture. “I beg your pardon, Miss Crompton. I shall be more unobtrusive.”
    She frowned, irked to have ruined the camaraderie between them. “You haven’t offended me. But do answer my question. What is your background?”
    His gaze returned to hers. “I grew up in the country as companion to the son of a gentleman. Thus, I was fortunate enough to have reaped the benefits of a superior education.”
    “Ah.” That explained a lot. How difficult was it for him to be in possession of a gentleman’s skills, while being relegated to the lowly role of household servant? “Why did you not seek employment as a secretary or a land agent, then? Those positions surely must pay a higher salary.”
    He buttered the second slice of toast for her. “There was nothing like that available at the agency. And I did hold a better position as a valet for a time. Alas, my master died on our voyage here from the West Indies.”
    “The West Indies!” No wonder his skin was browned from the sun. “Had you lived there very long?”
    “For a time. The master was inspecting some properties he owned there. Upon his death, I was left without recourse. Especially since … but never mind. I’m sure you aren’t interested in my tale of woe.”
    “Oh, but I am . Do finish.”
    His face solemn, James clasped his hands behind his back. “Upon my arrival in London, I left the ship, intending to spend a brief time touring the sights here. That’s when all of my savings were stolen by a gang of footpads near the docks.”
    Aghast, Blythe paused in the act of pouring a cup of tea. Her father often went to the docks, but he always had a coachman and guard with him. “How terrible! Had you nothing left at all?”
    “Not so much as tuppence in my pocket. I’m most grateful there was an opening here in this household. I appreciate the chance to earn enough coin for my passage.”
    “Passage?” She set down the teapot to stare at him. “You’re leaving England again? To return to the West Indies?”
    He shook his head. “Since taking employment here, I’ve become most admiring of your father’s accomplishments. Perhaps you’ll think me above my station, but I’ve resolved to travel to India myself and seek my own fortune.”
    Blythe regarded him in astonishment. How very remarkable to meet a servant who held the dream of bettering himself. Never in her life had she known anyone of the lower classes to have aspirations beyond his station. It was just the way life was, with everyone accepting of the position in which he was born.
    She very