“What?”Harriet whisper-yelled.
“They would never visit without either an invitation or an appropriate notice of their call.Does His Grace not know he needs to warn the household to prepare?Hellfire, what if Cook doesn’t have enough food for an appropriate dinner?”Evie shook her head, agog at the temerity of their employer.
Harriet’s eyes went wide, and she was slow to respond as her gaze slipped to something behind Evie.
She turned, following the housekeeper’s line of sight and gulped.The wayward duke in question stood there staring at her with an arched brow.Frustration fought with embarrassment.Only this duke would follow her to the back hall.Although in fairness, he’d probably seen her run by the library door.Her face grew hot as she said, “I beg your pardon, Your Grace.I only meant— Someone of your background— Never mind.You have my apology.We are here to serve you and your guests at your pleasure.”
Now both his brows neared his hairline as he smirked at her.He rumbled in that baritone which never failed to send a shiver down her spine, “How did you know who they were?”
“I spied the crest on the carriage out the front parlor window,” she replied, ignoring the strange look from the housekeeper.
But she could not avoid his next question, which likely mirrored the housekeeper’s confusion.“And you recognize ducal crests?”
“Oh!Uh, some?From the last household I was in,” she fumbled with yet another error.She’d been worried she wouldn’t know how to properly bang rugs out or spill spirits when refilling decanters but never thought her knowledge of the Ton would give her away.
The housekeeper asked, “You said there were two?”
“Yes,” Evie answered with a firm nod.
Harriet turned to her.“Go tell Cook.I’ll have the upstairs staff prepare two guest suites.”
“Mrs.Betters,” the duke’s voice stopped the housekeeper in her tracks, and Evie slowed her trot to a crawl to hear what he’d say next.“You and the staff have my apologies for not informing you of my guests.I did not pay attention to the date in their letter.I’m sure your best efforts will be excellent.”
Evie gaped.A duke had apologized to a servant.What would come next?Flying elephants?Him giving them a raise?Maybe even asking for lessons in dukeishness—or was it ducality?She giggled all the way to tell Cook about their honored guests, despite the chef’s fearsome temper.
Chapter Seven
Thatoutrageous maid had again witnessed his shame; in fact, she’d come near to upbraiding him for it.Xander shook his head.The housekeeper had blinked several times at his apology before murmuring, “Quite all right, Your Grace.If you’ll excuse me.”
Despite his embarrassment, when she’d turned for the stairs, he’d spun to watch the receding and lovely backside of the cheeky maid.A vision rose of him calling her in front of him to reprimand her and offering some creative ways as penance for chastising him.
His cock stirred in his trousers, and he reluctantly turned away.He had two nobs to deal with.The thought was enough to wither even the most enthusiastic cockstand.
Two hours later, his head was spinning again.The duke and marquess had invited Munroe to join them and had offered to point out where the greatest risks of charlatans and swindlers, both male and female, might be.With his acceptance, they’d systematically gone through an overview of his holdings—estates, investments, and staff.Well, not servants such as the maid with the heart-shaped bouncy bottom, but solicitors, secretaries, and stewards.
They’d helped him further prioritize what to learn and address, praising Munroe for his efforts.
When they turned to the pitfalls of being a duke, Xander raised a hand to stop them.“First, I’ve already gotten this lecture from my stepfather.”
The Duke of Cranbrook chuckled, nodding, as he’d mentioned to Xander that he had a passing acquaintance with North.
“I’ve already had to release three members of my staff due to inappropriate behavior.Also, if I hear any more things to worry about, I might walk out.And, no offense intended”—he gulped a breath—“but whilst I hate most of my new duties, no duke should be allowed to complain about his lot in life.I should know, I’ve seen the other side.”
He wasn’t sure he could hold himself to that, but he’d made his point.Both of the older men dipped their heads in acknowledgement.
The Duke of Cranbrook said, “Understood.However, just in case you should encounter trouble, we have created a support group of sorts.The Wayward Dukes Alliance.To that end, there remains one last order of business.”
The younger man produced a signet ring.An emblem was set behind a dark red stone.
When it was proffered, Xander took it.Peering, he thought he saw an elaborate “WD.”
He tried to hand it back, but both men shook their heads.The Duke of Cranbrook said, “All members wear this or have it.If you see someone with it on, you know they will help you in any way they can.If you need help yourself but cannot get to one of us in person, send the ring and we’ll know ’tis urgent.Try it on.”
Xander attempted to slide it on to his fourth finger, but it did not make it to the second knuckle.It fit onto his fifth, but there was no way he was wearing a ring there.He’d be afraid to lose the thing.And that finger was for fops and dandies, far too pretentious for him.Of course, a duke’s ring would be designed for slimmer hands than his.They’d never had to haul kegs, shovel snow, or any other of the myriad tasks which had been his life.
He passed it back, not sure how to word his reluctance.
He needn’t bother.Hollibrook produced another ring, identical to the first except in circumference.That one was a tight fit, but he shoved it onto his fourth finger, willing to force it in order to pacify these new allies.As it slid home, he grunted and muttered, “There.”
