CLAYTON ENJOYED THE quiet of the house while the ladies were gone. He and Rex worked alongside each other in silence, like they had for years back in Cape Town. There was something about being with a good friend that made words unnecessary. They were able to get a lot of work done without any distractions. Then he heard the arrival of Rory and Darla, making him realize it had gotten late in the day.
“I was hoping they would be gone until we left,” Rex grumbled. “I would have enjoyed an evening without that shrill spinster giving me hell.”
“What is it about that woman that makes you so crazy?” Clayton asked.
“She is constantly nitpicking at me. Telling me how to sit or stand or speak. She acts as if I’m a schoolboy and she’s my nanny.”
“I never had a nanny who looked like that.”
As prim and proper as Darla was, no amount of muslin could hide that she was a very pretty girl.
“She’s aware of that and uses it against men.”
“All men or just you?”
“I don’t think she’s a companion for no reason.”
Clayton laughed but Rex didn’t look amused. It was best if he kept the two of them apart. Clayton was already avoiding Darla as much as possible since she didn’t think very highly of workers and didn’t like this idea as a whole.
Out of the corner of his eye, Clayton saw Rory as she walked down the hallway with her nose in a book. He suspected it was still her aunt’s diary she was reading. So far, she had been carrying it every time he saw her. He wondered how far along she was in the woman’s life. As she approached, Rex decided to leave the two of them alone.
“May I speak to you?” Rory asked, motioning for them to step out into the garden.
“Is this going to become a habit, then?” Clayton tried to keep his tone light to keep from getting nervous.
“I like it out here. It’s quiet enough to let us speak but not so private that my reputation is at risk.”
Clayton stood, waiting for her to tell him what she needed to. “Still reading your aunt’s diary?” Some casual conversation might put her at ease.
“Yes, I find it very interesting. She wrote a lot of details.”
“What do you write in yours?”
She chuckled. “I have never felt the need to keep one.”
“I assumed all women kept a diary, that it was where they keep all the secrets men will never understand.”
“I don’t keep one. I wouldn’t have anything to write in it.”
“No adventures in London?”
Rory laughed. “No, all of my seasons have been delightfully dull. I enjoyed them, but by the end of each, I am ready to settle in for the winter.”
“Always in London? You don’t have a family home to go back to?”
She blinked a few times as if surprised by his questions. “No. My parents were very fond of the city, so we always stayed there. Even when they were gone, my brother and I never saw a reason to leave. “
“Do you think that will change now that he is married?”
Clayton had noticed how little Rory mentioned her new sister-in-law. He had discreetly asked a few of the servants, but they were very tight-lipped. Rex refused to talk to Darla about it, so it remained a mystery.
“Oh no. Kitty loves the city as much as we do. She would be quite bored in a place like this.” Rory leaned forward and beckoned him to do the same with her index finger. “Kitty grew up in the theater. She was an actress before she met her first husband, although we aren’t supposed to mention it.” She gave a devilish grin. “I can’t see how telling you would do harm since you won’t be moving in the same circles.”
“Your brother married an actress?” That was a surprise, given how concerned Rory was with appearances.
“Technically, she was already a lady when they met, thanks to her late husband, but essentially, yes. Henry has always been fond of the unusual.”
Clayton felt he might like this Henry fellow and his actress wife. In Cape Town such marriages were not as shocking. Women were not as much in abundance, especially pretty ones. Most of the wealthy men held low-level titles or no titles at all, so it was just the money that gave them their positions in society. “Do you disapprove?”
“I did at first, but I’m warming up to the idea.” The smile disappeared from her.
“I doubt it would be any easier if she was born a lady,” he said.
“Easier?”
“Losing a sibling can be difficult.”
“He’s not gone.”
“No, but he’s not only yours anymore.”
She swallowed. “I do miss him sometimes. I know it’s selfish, but I thought we would be always together.”
When Christian had been alive, they always thought that would be them. Twin bachelors, causing havoc in London year after year.
“Have you written him about your plans to sell the house?”
“I don’t want to bother him while he is away, although Darla thinks he will be upset when he finds out.”
“Darla is a very good friend,” Clayton said.
“I worry that I am often not a very good friend to her.”
“Why?” Clayton had not seen anything that would make him think badly of Rory.
“I don’t take her advice, even though it’s always in my best interest.”
“I doubt she minds too much, since she has continued to be your friend.”
“My brother continues to pay her.”
“I know when people are pretending to play friends and when it’s the real thing.”
She turned to look at him and he felt the full focus of her gaze. The green in her eyes was more prominent when she was looking at someone directly. It made Clayton’s pulse quicken. “How do you know?”
“Rex. Once upon a time, we hated each other but had no choice about working together. After some time and a few scrapes, we became friends. Now I can’t get rid of the man.”
She smiled at him. Clayton almost forgot that she was out of his reach as he felt his body lean closer to the warmth of her.
A sound at the door broke their conversation.
“Mr. Holland is growing impatient and would like to leave as soon as possible.” Darla poked her head out the door. “He’s pacing in the parlor and becoming very irritating.”
“He must be anxious to get back for dinner,” said Clayton. “Rex becomes a grumpy old dog when he hasn’t had a bite in a while.”
“Would you like to stay for dinner, then?” Rory asked ignoring her friend’s shocked expression. “My chef always prepares too much.”
Clayton knew Rex was going to hate the idea, but Rory still hadn’t told him what she wanted to tell him. Perhaps after dinner she would feel comfortable enough for the mystery topic.
“We would be delighted to stay for dinner. I’m personally getting tired of having the same stew every night.”
Rex was not delighted. He sulked for most of the meal, keeping an eye on Miss Capshaw. She in turn was pretending to ignore him but not doing a very good job of it. That left the majority of the conversation up to Rory and Clayton.
“Did you enjoy your day?” Clayton asked as the others began to eat.
“It was very enjoyable. The dowager duchess was much less intimidating than I originally thought. And her daughter-in-law was very kind as well.”
Clayton had heard that Thomas was married, but of course he had missed the wedding. Rumor was she was a bit of a surprise, a wallflower who had managed to capture the rake’s heart. Knowing how fond of the ladies Thomas used to be, Clayton was very curious about the lady who could keep his brother’s attention.
“Was she beautiful?” Rumors could be wrong.
“She wasn’t what I expected, but she was glowing from carrying her first child. It was obvious the duke was madly in love from the way he doted on her while we visited.”
It was impossible to picture Thomas playing nursemaid.
“Actually, they have offered to help me with a brilliant idea.”
There was that nervous tone in her voice again. Silence hung between them and he didn’t try to rush her. She would tell him her thoughts when she was ready.
“I have decided that I will hold a ball here when the work is done. Like my aunt used to do. Sort of a walk down memory lane but with a purpose. They pushed me to do something larger than I initially planned.”
Rex almost choked on his piece of beef, but Clayton only raised an eyebrow. That was a lofty goal considering they still had so much work to do and only about a week to do it.
“The dowager duchess offered to invite all the notable members of society who might be interested in the place and that includes people who once wanted to purchase it. That will be the perfect chance for me to find a buyer.”
It made sense, but Clayton felt there was still more. Something else she hadn’t said that had to do with his mother.
“A ball would be a good way to show off my hard work and meet potential clients. That would help me get more work when this job is done.”
“You can’t possibly think you would attend!” Shock made Rory’s mouth flop up and down like a fish.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“This is going to be nothing but the best of society. I can’t have a workman strolling through them.”
“Afraid I might get mud on the floors?”
As they spoke, their voices raised until they were yelling at each other. Darla and Rex were too stunned to speak and sat there watching them.
“Why are you insisting on being there? Once you finish the work, your job is done.”
“I’m invested in this projected. I get half when it sells, remember?”
He watched as she struggled with her anger. Making a scene would go against her breeding but not against her nature.
“What do you find so terrible about me?” Clayton asked. “I have been nothing but kind to you since we met. Is a title really worth so much more than character?”
He saw the way her unshed tears shimmered in the faint candlelight and felt as if he had been punched in the stomach.
“That’s not the reason. I just don’t know how the dowager duchess will feel about you being here,” Rory said. “Her missing son has just returned home, and he might have very rigid ideas about who should or should not be attending.”
Panic made his heart speed up as he realized they could have been discussing him all afternoon.
“Everyone thought he was dead, but apparently he has been found. She insisted I host the ball in his honor. I couldn’t offend him with guests that she didn’t invite personally.”
Clayton sighed. She didn’t know it was him or she would have said so by now.
“I understand.” Clayton let his voice drop back to a normal tone.
Rory took the sleeve of her dress and wiped her eyes. It left her cheeks red and her eyelashes were damp. She looked lost and adorable, like a puppy in the rain. Darla reached over to offer her a handkerchief. Clayton could feel himself smiling now.
“A ball would be a lot of fun. I bet you are a lovely dancer,” Clayton said. “Do you like to dance?”
“What woman doesn’t?” She chuckled.
“I haven’t had many chances to ask.”
“I thought you worked for the richest people in Cape Town.”
“Fancy parties weren’t really to my taste. I preferred places where I could get a drink and a good hand of cards.”
“You play?” Her eyes sparked at the mention.
“A little. Rex is by far the better of us, but I have been known to clean up a table or two.”
“Perhaps we might be able to play a little before you leave.”
Clayton tried to guess what she was thinking, but her expression gave away nothing but excitement.
“I don’t usually play against ladies.”
“It’s not more difficult. We bet the same money as men.”
Clayton recognized her expression because he had seen it before. It was the same many men often had when they couldn’t pull themselves away from the gaming table. It was the need to play mixed with the desperation to win.
“I think I would rather hold on to my money.” He spoke slowly, watching the joy dim from her eyes. “Are you as good at dancing as you are at gambling?”
“I have had a great deal of practice. A few seasons in London and you get very good at it.”
“Why so many? A woman like you should have found a match the first time,” Rex asked, ignoring Darla’s sharp look.
“I have some bad habits.” She began fidgeting with the sleeve of her shirt where her hand rested on it. “I have tried to stop myself from having them, but I can’t seem to get rid of them.”
“Such as?”
She glanced away and he could see her biting her lip. “I fidget too much, especially when I’m nervous.” She held up her hands for him to see. “I also tend to get the nibbles, which means I eat when I’m nervous. Men don’t like a woman who is eating all the time.”
“Who told you that?”
“A man.” She was avoiding looking directly at either man at the table. “More than one.”
No man should ever be so callous.
“I also have a competitive nature and can be very stubborn.”
“A lot of women have those traits.”
“Women with more impressive dowries or more powerful families. I’m not in a position to be so headstrong, yet here I am.”
Clayton could see the way she stuck her chin out at him to hide the tremble in it. Their eyes met, and he held her gaze. He wanted to make sure she heard him clearly when he spoke. “Any man who would let a few little things like that distract him from what a wonder you are is clearly not worth your time.”
She sucked in her breath, drawing his attention to those sweet lips. He ached to taste them again.
“I believe dinner is over,” said Darla sharply. “Let me walk you both out.”