Immediately, she rose, a blush filling her cheeks. “I should go to my room.”
The servant looked at him. She was more mature than he’d first thought. He brought his gaze back to Sophie. “Please don’t. I wish to tell you of my trip.”
The servant rose as well, a secretive smile on her face. “My lord, I am Mrs. Boyd, the cook. Did you wish something to eat?”
At the sight of Sophie, he’d forgotten his reason for coming to the kitchens, but a pain in his stomach reminded him. “I would. Nothing elaborate. Some bread and cheese would be fine.”
“Then please take my chair and keep Lady Sophie company while I get you a plate.”
He raised his brows, surprised by the woman’s offer. The cook back at his family’s home would rouse at least three people with such a request. “I would be happy to.”
Mrs. Boyd quickly headed to the fireplace and stoked the coals. He held his hand out to Sophie, indicating her chair. “Please, sit. I would very much like to talk to you about my progress.”
She looked at Mrs. Boyd, who bustled about the warm room, before finally retaking her seat. “As long as Mrs. Boyd is here, Isuppose it would be acceptable.”
He was about to promise to be a gentleman, but around her, he was never sure what he would do. “Thank you.”
“It was successful, then, your trip?”
He sat opposite her, in the chair vacated by the cook, the table much narrower than any formal dining table. From where he sat, he could smell her vanilla scent, which played havoc with his thoughts. “It was.”
As she looked expectantly at him, he couldn’t help noticing how dark her green eyes looked in the lantern light.
“Lord Tamworth? How was it successful?”
He blinked to get his mind back on track. “In many ways. As we discussed, I had spoken with my brother and Lord Hopton on the best and worst qualities of their stewards. The first was much more forthcoming, though far too curious about why I wished to know.”
“What did you tell him?”
“The same that I told Lord Hopton, that I had a student who needed advice on hiring one.”
Her shapely brown eyebrows lowered. “You lied.”
It took a moment for her disappointed tone to register, but as it did, he sat straighter in his chair. “Of course, to keep my secret until I’m ready to reveal it. Are you implying that you don’t lie…ever?”
She started to shake her head then stopped and gave him a soft smile as if remembering the last time she lied. “I only lie if I have to when there is a happy surprise I must keep a secret.”
That did not appease him in the least. “And what if the secret is not a happy one, but you have sworn to keep it, like mine? What if my brother asked you why I wished to know the best and worst qualities of his steward? What would you say?”
She put two fingers to the side of her jaw as she thought, then she looked him in the eye. “I would ask your brother why he’d think I would know. Or I might ask him why he doesn’t ask you directly.”
“And if he said that he’s not sure if I’d tell him the truth, then what would you say?”
“I would tell him that it was time you and he had a serious talk.”
Despite feeling put upon by her initial judgment, he found himself chuckling. “Lady Sophie, you do indeed have a formidable mind. I bow to your impeccable rebuttal.”
Her lips curved into a small smile that was both soft and triumphant at the same time. “I acknowledge and accept your praise. Now, do finish with your story. I’m very curious to know the result of your endeavors.”
From any other woman, he would guess that her words were simply a way to flirt, but with Sophie, her genuine interest was obvious. “I then did as you also suggested and interviewed a few candidates, and hired the one I felt the most comfortable with.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. I’m so pleased for you.”
He held up his hand. “But there’s far more to this story.”
“There is? I do hope the man accepted the position.” Her concern colored her voice.
“He did. And what is even more fortunate is, though I didn’t know it at the time, he is my solicitor’s brother.” He smacked his hand upon the table as he grinned.
