Page 20 of Centerpiece

Agreeable put his hands out.“I’m content to stay out of the way in the kitchen or even in the garden, my lady.”He winced, then quickly added, “Your Grace.”

The Duchess finally turned from him to look at Holburn with one delicate eyebrow raised.

Holburn’s lip twitched again, although Agreeable didn’t think of any part of the situation was funny.But as if he knew that, or worse, was apologizing once more to the likes of Agreeable in front of his duchess and wife, Holburn took the last piece of bread and offered it to him.

“Eat, Remi,” he said, and Agreeable took the bread in both hands and eyed him suspiciously as he nibbled the crust.“He needs a position,” Holburn added to his wife.

“Does he?”she returned, tart.But she wasn’t flushed or screaming or making a move to flee the room.“Two nights I was at Marie’s.Three days you and Tomas and Von have had to travel as you believe your grandfather would have wanted, and I find you with a plum in your room.”Her smile was brief and soft.“At least you found a way to pass the time.”

“Remi found me.”Holburn was all innocence.Remi coughed around a crumb.“It’s only been one night that I’ve known him, but he does need a place and he has been most helpful.”

Plenty of wives would have had something to say about that, but the Duchess only turned to study Agreeable again.

“I answered the questions he asked me, uh, Your Grace.”Agreeable stopped with the bread in front of him like a starving mouse.“He has been determined to find me a place.But if you mind, I’ll....”

He went quiet when she waved that off.

“Do you not know whether to bow or curtsy?”she asked.Dirt remained on her cheek, only more smudged now.Agreeable was not calmed by that fact.Like Holburn, she was permitted to be unusual because she was powerful.That meant she might do anything and not even realize she was being strange.

“I...bow,” Agreeable assured her, hoping she hadn’t heard the hiccup between the words, although Holburn would have.“I bow.But I know I will not do for a page.I did try to tell him.”

“Did you?”Her tone was mild as milk.Her glance to Holburn was knowing.

“I’m not anything.”Agreeable wanted that to be clear so at least Holburn would not be in disfavor with his wife.“A failed farmer, really.I’m not even a paid bedwarmer.I’m just agreeable.”

The Duchess shook her head, bringing more honey locks into her eyes.“Do you think he brings every bit of sweet back to his home with him?Look at you, already trying to keep him out of trouble.”

“He seems the kind to get into trouble,” Agreeable answered without thinking.“He takes the guidance of the Church more seriously than the Church itself does, and he has luxury enough to display his caring heart.”Holburn made a small sound.His wife blinked rapidly several times.Agreeable sighed.“I was expecting you to be the one to keep him from risking himself, but you seem the kind to fall out of trees to look at a pretty view, if you don’t mind me saying so.And now he is caring for you as he has cared for...”Agreeable glanced to the bread in his hand and gave a start.“You can’t treat your wife like your lover!”he exclaimed to Holburn, only to stare in confusion at the Duchess.“Canhe?Oh,” he belatedly remembered some sort of manners again, “Your Grace.”

The Duchess smiled wide enough to show a slight gap in her front teeth and a dimple in her cheek.

Agreeable had always liked dimples.They were so friendly, even when the person smiling wasn’t.Although the Duchess didn’t seemunfriendly, despite her sharp gaze.

“Eat, Remi,” the Duchess ordered.“You’re clearly hungry.”

Agreeable had the rest of the bread in his mouth before the Duchess had turned to Holburn.

“He found me,” Holburn said again.“Providence.And he needs me.”Holburn moved toward the bed and put a hand on Agreeable’s shoulder.“He wants to be mine.Isn’t that right, Remi?”

Agreeable shivered under the pressure of that hand and the Duchess’ bright, clever gaze.Holburn had heard all of what Agreeable hadn’t said.But once again, Agreeable didn’t mind.He swallowed, then nodded.

“Arrogant.”The Duchess’ lip twitched, leaving Agreeable to wonder if she had picked up the mannerism from Holburn or if he’d learned it from her.“He will do that, sweet Remi, override your sense and then be infuriatingly right.Not always, but enough.Lure you in with sweet things and gifts, spin your senses around as though you’ve been at the wine.And then he doesn’t even have the decency to hurt you.Oh no.He only overwhelms you more.”

“I haven’t overwhelmed him,” Holburn objected.“Have I?”He started to remove his hand and Agreeable, rash and foolish, reached up to draw it back to him before remembering that the Duchess would see it.

He dropped his hands.“I jumped into his bed.I wasn’t lured there.I didn’t even know he was a grace—a duke.”He trembled.“I thought he was a danger, but notthat muchdanger.But I can leave.Ican.They likely won’t hang me.”Maybe.

“Hangyou?”The Duchess looked from Agreeable to Holburn.“Youhavehad fun.”

“No one is hanging you.”Holburn was firm, then exhaled and gentled his tone.“And we have a dress to return.”

“I had two days of garden strolls and bad cooking.”The Duchess crossed her arms.“All right,” she went on as though Holburn had said something or given her a doubtful look, “and perhaps an amusing bed romp.I still did nothing like this.I leave you alone for a few days, and you have a mysterious adventure and meet an angel?”

“No, no,” Agreeable jumped in, “I’m a thief.Accusedthief,” he added to be safe.“Agreeable the accused thief.And I sto—borroweda dress as a disguise.”

“Remi the future page,” Holburn corrected him.“And we’re returning the dress so you did indeed borrow it.No harm done.”

Agreeable met the Duchess’ curious stare without intending to.Her eyes widened and then narrowed in a foxlike manner.

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