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She remembered what Mrs. Haversham had told her about Jenson and wondered if she dared ask. He began to walk away while she was still dithering and she shot to her feet to follow him. “Uh, Jenson?”
He turned, eyebrows raised in some surprise. “Yes, Miss Strange?”
“I, er, wanted to ask you about…the Countess of Perrin. I, er, understand that you are courting one of her milkmaids?”
Jenson frowned. “That’s none of your business.”
“I mean, yes, of course it isn’t. I was just wondering if you knew much about the Countess.”
To her surprise, he smirked. “What? You want to know if she will be the next Duchess? Well, she’s a very determined lady and used to getting her way so I wouldn’t discount the possibility.”
Letty supposed it was hypocritical to be surprised by his words after years of using servants as a source of household gossip. That her own interest in the Duke was common knowledge shouldn’t come as a surprise but it was.
She supposed it was better that they thought this was jealousy than suspected foul play. At least it was better if the spy—whomever it was—thought so.
“Yes well, be that as it may, do you know how long she has lived here? Is she an old resident?”
His eyebrows moved about as if he was trying to decide if he was surprised or amused or annoyed. “She came here after her marriage to the Earl.”
“Hmm, and did she come alone?”
He snorted. “No, I suppose she had servants with her.”
“Did you see them arrive or…?”
Jenson stepped towards her. “I don’t know what it is that you want to know but speak plain because I have no time for this.”
Letty heaved a breath. “All right, does she have any other family members living with her?”
Jenson’s frown deepened. “I don’t expect so. You mean the Earl’s cousin? No, he isn’t on the property.”
“The Earl’s cousin?”
“The one who wants to take over the property.” Jenson looked almost disappointed at her lack of knowledge. “That’s why she wants to marry the Duke.”
“Oh…well, thank you Jenson. I apologize for detaining you for so long.”
He stared at her for a moment before seeming to relent. “For what it’s worth, I do not think you need worry about the Countess. The Duke was barely interested in her before you arrived. And he is even less so now.”
She blinked at him a few times, surprised by his candor and at a loss as to what to say. “Uh, thank you.”
He nodded and walked away as she watched him go. She shook her head before resuming her vigil on the stairs. Unwittingly, Jenson had given her a new wrinkle to think about.
The Earl’s cousin? I should probably find out if he actually exists. If he does not live here, where is he and who knows of him?If the Earl is dead, then why is Raphael the Earl? Could Raphael be lying?
Nothing made sense.
“Miss Strange? What’s the matter? Why are you sitting on the stairs?”
She looked up again, this time to face the Duke. Getting to her feet she moved to stand beside him. “Your Grace, we need to talk.”
