Page 36 of An Enchanting Dare

“Oh, no, never that!” Elton replied, looking horrified. “There're dozens of valets who would do me bodily harm to get this job. You’re the most elegant man in the ton, and everyone knows it. It is a privilege to work for you.”

“And such excellent work you do, Elton. Very nice, thank you.”

Elton smiled, pleased, and then looked to his master as they heard a knock at the bedroom door. Louis nodded and Elton went to open it.

“Louis, help me with this blasted cravat, will you?” Barnaby grumbled.

Louis regarded the mangled affair hanging limply around Barnaby’s neck and winced. Glancing at Elton he saw the fellow was twitching with the desire to put it to rights. “Elton, fetch one of mine at once, and attend Mr Godwin. There’s a good fellow.”

“At once,” Elton replied with a sigh of relief.

Barnaby fidgeted as they waited for Elton to return, and Louis wondered how long it would take him to spit it out.

“What do you make of Kilbane?” he asked, which was quicker than Louis had expected.

They’d not seen the man all day, but his presence in the house was making poor Barnaby agitated. The man’s self-appointed position as Louis’ protector at once amused and touched him.

“As little as possible. Keep out of his way,” Louis replied as Elton returned. He watched as his valet’s deft fingers made short work of the cravat.

Barnaby huffed. “I’m not the brightest fellow, Louis, but even I’d deduced that much.”

Louis smiled. Elton stepped back to allow Barnaby to inspect his work.

Barnaby stared at his reflection in surprise and flashed a grin. “Oh, I say. That’s splendid. Thank you, Elton.”

Elton preened, pleased with himself. “My pleasure, Mr Godwin. Will there be anything else, monsieur?”

Louis shook his head. “That will be all. Don’t wait up for me tonight.”

“Very good, monsieur. Have a pleasant evening.”

Barnaby regarded himself in the looking glass again and reached to tweak his cravat. Louis smacked his hand away.

“Don’t. It is perfect. Leave it alone.”

“I don’t like the way he looks at you,” Barnaby grumbled, turning away from the mirror.

“Elton?” Louis asked mildly, though he knew well enough who Barnaby meant. His friend tutted impatiently.

“Kilbane!”

“Ah. Don’t fret about Kilbane, mon ami. I suspect he has—how do you say—d'autres chats à fouetter?”

“Come again?” Barnaby looked at him blankly.

Louis pursed his lips, thinking. “Other fish to fry?”

“Oh, got you,” Barnaby nodded.

“Oui. So stop fretting. In any case, I know how to handle our dissipated friend. I am no innocent virgin to be led to the slaughter, I assure you. I am not so easily seduced by a handsome face.”

Barnaby blushed scarlet and Louis laughed, patting his shoulder. “Mon pauvre ami. I am a terrible trial to you. Come along and let us see if we can get Lady Millicent to dance with you twice.”

Maxwell and Kilbane were waiting for them downstairs. Neither man looked entirely relaxed, though Kilbane’s brooding gaze did a better job of hiding his tension than Maxwell, who appeared edgy and in need of a drink.

“The carriage is ready, my lord,” the butler said, once they were all assembled.

Kilbane smiled, a slow, wicked smile. “Then let the fun and games begin.”