Page 12 of The Duke's Mysterious Lover
Hugging everyone again, Thorne accepted the invitation with delight. “I look forward to it.Pleasekeep me updated how I can be of service.” He remembered Griffin’s plea to keep his family safe. “I’ll be around tomorrow, to offer my assistance.” Whether they needed it or not.
The redhead leaned in for another hug. With her arms around him, Felicity murmured, “You do not need to do it all yourself, Thorne.”
In surprise, he straightened, looking for an explanation behind her spectacles. She smiled sadly, keeping her voice low so the children wouldn’t overhear. “You plan to trap Blackrose by yourself. I know you. But you arenotalone. You have a band of brothers, men determined to help you. And, although I shudder to say it, Bull is determined to help avenge the evils done to his brother and to Griffin, so heaven help us all.”
Frowning, Thorne shook his head, still holding the fierce little scientist. “I would never put him in danger.”
She pushed herself up on her toes to brush a kiss on his cheek. “He needs no help in that department, I am afraid. But do remember, you are not alone.”
There was a lump in his throat. “I am,” he rasped. “I cannae ask anyone else to put themselves in more danger.Iwas the one who got out from under Blackrose’s thumb successfully, Flick. The rest of them—Rourke, Demon, Griffin, hell even Fawkes—were tortured by the bastard.” He saw her lips tug down, presumably because of his language, and he winced. “Besides, ye’re all married now. I cannae allow any danger to come to them, now they’ve found their happiness.”
Her hands tightened on his upper arms once more. “You deserve to find that happiness as well, Thorne.” She didn’t give him time to respond, but nodded again. “Dinner tomorrow?”
“I wouldnae miss it.” He cherished his friends, and this family was special to him.
The tired smile Felicity sent his way as she herded Rupert and Marcia out told him that she’d heard the unspoken words and appreciated them.
“Thoooooorne!” Bull called from behind him.
Keeping his smile in place, Thorne escorted Felicity and the children to the hall, while sending a lewd gesture over his shoulder to his young friend, which caused the lad to snicker.
“Titsworth,” he announced, after the door had shut behind his guests, “Bull has demanded myancientbutler fetch tea.”
The not-at-all ancient man suddenly beamed. “Yes, Your Grace! Do you think I might try drawing in some faint lines on my forehead, around my eyes, that sort of thing?”
Fake wrinkles? Thorn nodded solemnly. “I dinnae see why no’. Perhaps ye might find a cane and fake a limp? Pretend yer deaf? Forget his name? Meanwhile, I’ll be updating my young guest on—oh, all sorts of things.”
From the sitting room, proving he was listening, Bull shouted, “Like what the hell Georgia’s sister managed with the encoded newspaper messages.”
Thorne pressed his lips together to keep from smiling, and regally shooed Titsworth away. “Important things.”
“And stuff some more fivers in yer pockets!” hollered Bull.
Giving up the struggle, Thorne grinned and turned to the sitting room. It was good to have Bull back again.
Chapter 3
If someone had told Kit,only a few months ago, that she would be able to identify whether or not the master was home based purely on the mood of the household, she would’ve scoffed.
After all, she and Mother had lived in plenty of fine households over the years. Father’s stipend had been moderate, but it had been Mother’s skills which had eventually—after she’d become known—paid for impressive living situations. Kit had never bothered to pay attention to what the housesfeltlike; she’d been too busy practicing and rehearsing and studying.
But on the other hand, she’d never had toworkin one of those households either.
In the weeks since she’d been promoted to the Duke’s personal attendant—what else to call a person who not only dressed the man, but also stood in his study and played for his enjoyment for hours on end?—she’d absolutely become attuned to his home.
And the moment the Duke of Stroken returned home, it was as if everything settled once more.
Kit was puttering around his suite, brushing down one ofhis formal cloaks and reflecting on the fact Old Maude—who wasn’t really that old, but who’d worked backstage the longest—would be proud of how well Kit remembered her instructions on the upkeep of wool, when the door opened.
And yes, she was smiling when she turned to see the Duke stepping through, carrying a bottle and two glasses in one hand as he loosened his necktie with the other. Stopping in his tracks, he raised a brow, one side of his lips curling upward.
“Dare I hope that smile is for me, young man?”
Young man. Lad. Boy.It was a reminder how he thought her a child still. But that was the point, wasn’t it?
She shrugged, pretending nonchalance as she crossed to him. “Now you’re finally home, I can tuck you into bed and go have some fun myself.”
He held his arms out from his sides, so she could snake his necktie from around his neck and undo the top buttons, before snorting. “A pipsqueak like ye? Yer idea offunis warm milk and an exciting magazine. Och, would ye like recommendations? I have an entire shelf in the library—”
