Page 39 of Redemption of a Marquess

“What?” Brendan gave a distracted shake of his head. “Nae, it’s just a shock. Embezzlement, and you running the company.”

“Just long enough for us to receive payment,” Valan said.

“Everyone will be glad to hear you took charge and saved us.”

“Let us not say anything just yet,” Valan said.

Brendan regarded him. “Johnston may not be too pleased.”

“Nor Anthony.”

Brendan nodded. “I will leave everything to you.”

“Very sensible. Now, do you—”

Voices sounded outside the door and a quick knock followed, then the door opened and Jeanine and Miss Stone entered.

Jeanine clutched a flat box. When her gaze met Valan’s, her face brightened. “I told you he was here.” She hurried toward him. Miss Stone followed at a sedate pace.

“My God,” Brendan murmured.

The ladies reached them and Valan and Brendan rose. Jeanine curtsied and looked up at Brendan. “Hello, sir.”

“Brendan, this is my ward, Miss Matheson,” Valan said. “Jeanine, may I present Baron Rosemund.”

Brendan bowed over her hand. “A pleasure, Miss Matheson.”

“How do you do, sir?” Jeanine replied, and before Valan could introduce Miss Stone, Jeanine said, “This is my friend, Miss Stone.”

Brendan bowed over her hand. “Ma’am. Please, have my seat,” he told Jeanine. I will fetch a chair for Miss Stone and myself.”

“How very kind of you,” Jeanine said. “Miss Stone, you sit. I have sat enough for today.” Miss Stone took the offered chair and Jeanine then turned to Valan. “Did you see the table? Is it not beautiful? We found it today when we were shopping for this.” She extended the box.

He took it. “What is this?”

She smiled. “Open it and find out, silly.”

Brendan didn’t successfully stifle his laughter. Valan removed the top and started at sight of two exquisite cravats lying side by side: one ivory, the other a dark blue.

He looked at Jeanine. “What are these for?”

“They’re cravats. They’re to wear,” she said.

More low laughter from Brendan, who had placed another chair beside Miss Stone’s chair.

“So, I see,” Valan said. “To what do I owe the honor of this gift?”

“My mother says a man can never have too many cravats. I intended only to purchase the ivory, but Miss Stone said the blue would complement your eyes.” Jeanine lifted the blue cravat and held it against his temple. She smiled. “She was right—not that I doubted her.” Jeanine laid the cravat back in the box. “Do you not like them? Was my mother wrong, do you have too many cravats?”

“Never,” he said. “The blue is particularly nice, and I don’t believe I have one that color. Thank you.”

“Shall we sit?” He pointed to his chair.

She shook her head. “We only came to give you the cravats and to see if you like the table. Do you like the table? You didn’t say so. Oh dear, did we miscalculate? I was so sure you would like it.”

“If you will permit me to explain,” he said, “it is exquisite.”

She beamed. “I knew you would like it. Well, we must go. Lady Guilford was very specific in saying that we must begin preparation for the party no later than six.” Jeanine leaned close to him and said in a conspiratorial whisper, “She is a little frightening.”