Page 25 of Discovering Her Earl

“Nothing to note, my lord.”

The wheels could have fallen off the carriage and Bentley himself could have been made to carry the conveyance the rest of the way on his back, and the man would have reported nothing of note.

That was just how he was. Never a complaint, even if one was warranted.

Julian noticed Miss Bantham standing close by, watching the exchange. He turned to introduce them.

“Miss Bantham, please let me introduce my good friend and valet, Mr. Bentley. Ben, this is Miss Bantham, our guest, and my instructor for the next few months.”

“Very good to meet you, Miss Bantham.”

“Lord Melville has told me many things about you. I feel we are already acquainted.”

“I hope he hasn’t shared the embarrassing stories.”

Elaina slipped her arm through Ben’s and leaned closer to whisper.

“You’ve known the earl much too long to think he wouldn’t have told those stories first.”

Ben chuckled and patted her hand.

“You have the right of it, my dear.”

And like that, the woman had utterly charmed his valet. And they hadn’t even made it through the doors of the house.

Julian was equally charmed that Miss Bantham treated Bentley like a treasured guest rather than a servant, as many women of her class would have done. But, of course, after spending the last few days with her, he knew her better than to expect such a thing from her.

They all ascended the stairs as the other servants carried in Miss Bantham’s trunks.

A sturdy older woman came forward. Julian remembered the housekeeper and noticed the small smile she aimed toward Ben.

Good for you, old boy, Julian thought and wrestled his grin into submission.

Miss Bantham looked toward the stairs and turned to the housekeeper.

“Where will I find the Leightons?” she asked.

The housekeeper shook her head.

“Afraid they haven’t arrived yet, miss. They sent a message for ye. I put it in your room. I’ll show you there.”

Julian nearly put out his hand to steady Miss Bantham for she looked as if she might fall over.

“This won’t do. We can’t stay here alone,” she whispered the last part.

He couldn’t help but chuckle at her scandalized reaction.

“We’re hardly alone. We are under more supervision here than we have been all the nights we stopped at inns during our travels.”

“I suppose, but here there are people who know you. If they found out…”

“Do you want me to leave?” He almost hugged her when she shook her head.

“No. That won’t do. I would never run you from your own home. Besides, there is nowhere close enough for you to stay that wouldn’t be a bother getting to the site in the mornings. We’ll just have to make do with our present accommodations.”

“You are quite safe with me, Miss Bantham. I swear it.” He hoped he could keep that promise. If she so much as fluttered an eyelash in his direction he feared he might relent.

What was it about her he found so intriguing? He still worried it was simply that she didn’t fall into a giggling pile of awe in his presence. Was he really so shallow?