Page 19 of The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter
He sighed. “It is this house party business that has me on edge.”
Greaves retained a stoic expression, giving no hint of what he thought about holding a house party at Ardley Hall. The man had seen what he and Viola were reading these past few days and must have overheard some of their discussion. “What do you think of the idea?”
Greaves looked like he wanted to dig a hole in the floor and sink into it. “It isn’t my place to say. Nor would I ever listen in on your and Miss Ruskin’s private discussions.”
“That is utter rot,” Alexander said with a jovial laugh. He wasn’t trying to keep it a high level secret and did not care that all his staff knew of his plans by now because Greaves was an impossible tattletale, worse than any woman in his employ. Histrustedbutler must have spilled the news to everyone seated at the staff dining table on that very first night and continued to fill them in ever since.
“I mean it sincerely, Greaves. What do you think? Should we hold one?”
The man cast Alexander an indulgent look. “It will be nice to have the house filled with music and laughter again, my lord.”
He raked a hand through his hair. “Everyone seems to think so. Am I the only dissenter?”
“It is your house and your life to do with as you wish. But I do believe it has already done you some good. Just the planning of it with Miss Ruskin has put you in better spirits. Perhaps it is Miss Ruskin who is cheering up your day, for you seem to walk around like an angry bear whenever she is not around.”
“Speaking of the little devil,” Alexander said, unable to hide his grin. “Here she comes.”
Greaves hurried to open the door as Viola approached the house.
She strode in, her cheeks pink and her eyes alight, just as the clock struck the noon hour. “Good day, Greaves,” she said merrily. “I believe I am right on time.”
Alexander now stepped forward to take the bag she was carrying out of her hands. “More London gossip rags?”
She nodded. “I had no idea my father hoarded so many. These are last year’s batch to add to this year’s gossip rags I brought with me earlier. It cannot hurt to expand our list of marriageable diamonds.”
“Because you think I am going to find fault with the last eight on this year’s list?”
She cast him a heartwarming smile. “Oh, Lord Ardley. I do not merely think it. I know you will.”
He could not help but chuckle at her impertinent remark. “Oh, ye of little faith.”
She was probably right since he had no enthusiasm whatsoever for this project. Greaves’ words rang true. He was enjoying Viola’s company more than any planning for a house party.
She followed him as he led the way into the summer dining room. The sky was still overcast and boded rain within the hour.
“My lord, how did you sleep last night? The air was so hot and thick, I found it impossible to fall asleep. And did you hear the thunder and lightning in the wee hours? Startled me right out of bed. I was sure one of those bolts was a direct hit on the church spire. But I went up there this morning and all appeared fine.”
He paused. “You went up to inspect the spire on your own?”
She nodded. “Of course. Who else was to do it? Certainly not my father.”
“Viola, why did you not send word to me? I would have had my estate manager take a look. Wilson’s an excellent man.”
“But he is your man. Not mine. I could not impose.”
“Yes, from now on this is exactly what you must do. What if some of the stones had loosened and you were hurt?”
She arched an eyebrow. “Oh, then I would not be able to cook for you and your elegant guests.”
“I do not care about those guests or your cooking for them,” he said with marked exasperation. “This has to do with your safety.”
“I am duly admonished,” she said, sitting in the chair he now held out for her beside his own. “When do you think to send Mr. Wilson to us? I ought to be there to show him the way up. You see, there is a simple trick to dangling on–”
He was standing beside her and now turned her chair around so that she faced him, startling her as he easily lifted her along with it and then place his hands on either side of her chair’s back to trap her in. “You are not to go up there on your own again.”
That delicious little apple in her throat bobbed up and down. “Perhaps not again today. But someone must attend to it. That someone is usually me since neither Mrs. Bligh nor my father is in any condition to manage it.”
“Not anymore, Viola. Promise me. Never again. I will take responsibility for it from this day forward.” His face was inches from hers, too close.
