Page 39 of Bound to a Wicked Duke

“Hmm?”

“Who are you?”

Percy chuckled. “How remiss of me. My apologies, Mr. Matthews. My name is Percival Hardy, Duke of Greyhall.”

The boy’s mouth dropped open in shock. “Duke?” he breathed in awe. “I am going to work for a duke?”

“You are indeed if you wish it. Are you available to begin work right away?”

“I am, Your Grace,” the boy nodded enthusiastically.

“Then let us away from here, Mr. Tobias Matthews,” Percy stated with an air of grandeur. “Greyhall Estate awaits her new stable hand.”

“Wait for me!” Toby said excitedly. Scrambling to his feet, he then followed Percy out of the tavern and down the adjoining street.

Returning to White’s, Percy retrieved his horse and paid for a day’s worth of time for another.

“Have you ridden yet?” Percy asked as the stableboy handed him the reins of both steeds.

“My parents and I used to live in the country,” Toby replied. “I used to ride our pony. Sometimes even our cow. I did not arrive in London until after the fire.”

“That’ll do then, lad,” Percy chuckled, handing him the reins to the spare horse.

Though his growth was stunted, Toby had no trouble leading the horse to a nearby barrel, climbing atop it, and then he straddled the saddle. He gave Percy a look of pride as he straightened his shoulders from his new seat.

“Lead the way then, my boy,” Percy said with a nod toward their desired road. “This will lead us out of town and directly into Greyhall. Might as well start learning your bearings of the path now; you’ll no doubt be taking it frequently.

With a capable nod, Toby clicked his tongue and began to lead them home. As they rode past the tavern where they had just eaten, the barmaid who had waited on them stood outside of the door, watching him with full, pouty lips. He could feel her eyes following him as he continued down the street until he was out of sight. Percy did not look back. She held nothing that he desired.

Thoughts of Madeleine—her smile, her figure, her laugh—all filled his head, and he let the pleasant memories play repeatedly in his mind until they approached the gates of Greyhall Estate.

Arriving back home, Percy rode right up to the stables and dismounted, depositing Toby safely onto the ground.

“Your Grace,” Gregor greeted him, taking the horse’s reins. His eyes fell on Toby and turned back to Percy with a questioning brow raised. “And who is this pile of bones?”

“This is Mr. Tobias Matthews, our new stable hand,” Percy explained, patting the neck of Toby’s steed. “Toby, this is Gregor, our stable master. He shall be your overseer, trainer, and no doubt confidant as you grow older.”

He smirked back at Gregor with familial affection.

“I know he provided as much for me.”

Gregor bowed his head toward Percy as he tried to hide the smile of pride and gratitude toward his lord. In turn, Percy gave him a subtle nod back.

“Respect, young man,” Percy said, turning his head back to Toby, “will get you a long way here. Give it and accept it in kind, and you will be fine.”

Toby nodded gravely then dismounted from his horse. He walked over to Gregor, puffing out his small chest, and held out his hand.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir.”

Gregor and Percy both gave an approving smile as Gregor took the boy’s small hand, swallowing it in his much larger one, and gave it a firm shake.

“Have you eaten yet, lad?” Gregor asked, and Toby nodded his head so vehemently that Percy feared he would saddle his brain.

“His Grace bought metwosteak and kidney pies, some ale,andmilk,” he replied, his tone full of gratitude and awe.

“’Course he did,” Gregor chuckled. “Tell you what, that sounds like quite a meal. You are not going to fall asleep on me on the first day of the job, are you?”

“No sir!” Toby replied quickly, his eyes widening.

---