Page 9 of A Stroke of Luck
Not to speak of a debt of thanks for saving his life.
And the lads themselves appeared to have redoubtable spirit, despite their tender years. They had faced the uncertainties of the raging storm without a whine or whimper, and had shown a gritty self-reliance that would have put many a grown man to shame. That their tongues were impertinent and their manners disrespectful was irritating in the extreme, yet he had to admitthat the fierce loyalty and obvious affection the siblings had shown for each other was impossible to find fault with.
Ignoring the sting of his blisters, he picked up his pace a bit, so as not to fall too far behind the others.
Stump had lingered at the crest of the high dune and now fell in step beside him. “Good news. We have spotted a number of sheep up ahead. It is a sure sign that someone is living close by.”
“Good news, indeed,” growled the duke. “Even better news would be the sighting of a leg of mutton, garnished with roast carrots, baby peas and mint sauce.”
“Should have sampled the rabbit. It rivaled any of the specialties that your fancy Frog chef whips up.”
“Hmmph!I suppose you, too, are going to roast me for being a pampered prig.”
“I’ve already done that,” replied the valet dryly. “But perhaps it bears repeating.” The snort from his employer caused the corners of his mouth to turn upward. “Come, this ain’t so bad, is it. Fresh air, a brisk walk, stimulating company?—”
“Another damn platitude from your lips and I swear, I shall throttle you on the spot,” muttered the duke.
A bark of laughter slipped from his valet’s lips instead. “I’m pleased to see your sense of humor ain’t quite so waterlogged as before.” Seeing his gentle teasing had coaxed a loosening of his employer’s rigid features, he added, “Wouldn’t want Miss Greeley and her siblings to think you naught but a peevish, pompous peer.”
The duke’s jaw quickly tightened. “I don’t give a fig what the impertinent Greeley clan thinks.”
“Well then, go ahead and keep snapping and growling like a bear with a thorn stuck in his paw.”
Prestwick marched on in injured silence. Heaving a sigh, Stump followed with a heavy step. They continued on for a bit.
“I just might keep snapping,” grumbled Prestwick. “Seeing as I am a duke with a cursed stone lodged in his toe.”
“Perhaps you need a new bootmaker.”
“No, what I need is my high perch phaeton and team of matched bays.”
Stump’s good-humored grin had returned. “Aw, as young Master Perry said, this is an adventure. You don’t mean to say you are anxious for it to come to an end so soon?”
“It may be a moot point, as my demise from starvation may occur at any moment.”
As they crested yet another tufted mound of sand, their bantering was interrupted by the sight of the young lady and her brothers waving wildly at a lone cart wending its way along a narrow path between the dunes. The commotion must have caught the attention of the driver, for the shaggy pony drew to a halt.
Slipping and sliding through the loose sand, the Greeleys hurried toward the waiting conveyance.
Urged on by the prospect of food and a ride, the duke broke into a shambling run as well. He reached the cart just as the bearded figure perched on the rough plank seat responded to Zara’s question of where in the world they were.
“Eyeaaah”
At least that was what the burred roll of vowels sounded like to Prestwick’s ears.
The answer must have been equally incomprehensible to the young lady, for she cleared her throat and asked him to repeat it.
“Eyeaaah.”
She exchanged puzzled looks with Nonny and Perry, then turned to the duke and his valet. “Have you any idea what he is saying?”
“Eyeaaah,” said Prestwick dryly.
“Very funny.” She did not appear overly amused.
“Well, you did say one was supposed to maintain a sense of humor about these things.”
“Hmmph!” was her only response. And yet, as she shot a warning look at the boys to leave off their giggling, he thought he detected a faint twinkle in her eyes. For some odd reason, he found himself feeling rather pleased he had made her expression lighten, if only for an instant.
