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William faced the horse again, tamping down the unreasonable emotion. “You are not disturbing anything, Samuel. Is there something you would like to speak to me about?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Samuel shuffled his feet closer, making an insufferable sound in the process. “It appears matters have taken a turn at your estate in Bedfordshire, Your Grace. The late Duke appeared to have neglected the wages of nearly all the help, including the butler, and they are quite upset as a result.”
Within an instant, William’s mood plummeted. For the past few days, he’d been able to forget about his foolish father and his terrible actions that had somehow almost run an entire Dukedom into the ground. The poor late Duchess was certainly turning in her grave this very moment. William grimaced at the thought. “Have you sent word of the Duke’s passing?”
“I have, Your Grace,” Samuel responded. “But it appears such an explanation does not appease their discontentment, as expected.”
William let his hand drop to the side. “How long have they gone without their wages?”
“It is almost a year, Your Grace.”
“Damn!” His hands fisted, a surge of fury filling him all at once. In the corner of his eye, William saw his steward flinched, but somehow managed to maintain his posture.
As soon as he took care of one thing, another issue popped its head up and threatened to drive William insane. He didn’t know how long he could keep this up, how much he would have to do to fix what his father had broken.
William sucked in a breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. Suddenly, he wished he was alone, so that he could take out his anger without an audience. But even if Samuel left, he wouldn’t dare to do something foolish and upset the horses. “They will not be happy if I send you to speak to them,” he said slowly, sorting through the solution in his head. “I shall have to go there myself.”
“I believe that will be the best course of action, Your Grace,” Samuel agreed. William didn’t miss the fact that he’d taken a step back. “The servants will want to see the new Duke in order to ascertain the stability of their positions. When shall you be leaving?”
“As soon as possible.” The only thing was, he wasn’t sure how soon that could be. The small, blonde-haired lady now staying in his manor popped into his mind and William felt himself hesitate. “I shall tell you of my plans when I have determined them.”
“Ah, yes, Your Grace. I understand.”
“If that is all that you have come here to say, you may leave. I’m certain there are other matters that needs taking care of.”
“Yes, Your Grace. Please, enjoy the rest of your day.” Samuel was already retreating by the time he finished his sentence. William faced the horse again, listening to his steward’s hasty departure, trying—and failing—to tamper down the anger shrouding him.
“William?”
He tensed. Turning slowly, he saw Elizabeth standing at the entrance of the stables, dressed in a blue riding habit that gripped her slender frame perfectly. Without thinking, he drank her in, noticing the fact that even though nearly every inch of her body was covered, she was a vision that threatened to bring him to his knees.
She inched closer, her eyes filled with concern and just the slightest twinge of fear. Elizabeth came to a halt with a few feet of distance remaining between them. William realized suddenly that his anger was still written across his face and he wiped it away.
“Is everything all right?” she asked, her voice soft.
Temptation drew his eyes to her lips, suddenly wanting nothing more than to taste them again. He nearly put another foot of distance between them when he realized his thoughts were turning inappropriate—were picturing her in her sheer nightgown once more with the outline of her body glowing under the candlelight of his fencing room.
He quickly looked away, gritting his teeth. “Everything is fine,” he pushed out.
“Who was that man just now? He seemed to be quite distressed.”
“He is my steward. You need not mind him. He is always distressed. I believe he is only afraid of me.” Hoping for a distraction, William busied himself by saddling the horse. He tried to ignore the fact that she’d stepped a little closer, but then her gentle lavender scent drifted around him. During their brief time together at breakfast, the scent had nearly driven him insane.
“You could stand to be a little less terrifying,” she murmured under her breath. William paused and looked at her. When she caught his eyes, her cheeks went pink, but she lifted her chin, even as she clasped her hands together. “Like you are right now. Truly, are you trying to scare me?”
“I am not trying to do anything.”
“Then surely there is no reason for you to scowl like that. I know we are not as friendly as we once were, but I am not your enemy. And your steward is not, either.”
