Page 38 of The Moonstone Governess
She cast him a brilliant smile. “You are? Then you have found someone, haven’t you?”
He moved on without answering, leaving Chloe and her sisters to greet histonfriends. He took a few minutes to wander about the nicely landscaped grounds of St. Austell Grange, for this is where all the tables had been set up.
Additional long tables, their linens blowing in the soft breeze, had been placed on the terrace and were laden with tea sandwiches and fancy cakes, no doubt supplied by Mrs. Halsey. He recognized several specialties from her tea shop. There was also heartier fare set out on other long tables for those who came with large appetites.
Smaller, round tables dotted the lawn and formal gardens, and chairs were set around them for those who wished to sit. Several footmen walked among the throng offering champagne, and others carried out teapots to serve tea.
It seemed as though everyone from the village was here, and Daire’s first thought was that a thief could tear through the town and steal whatever he wished, for there was no one left to protect the homes and businesses.
Malcolm Angel, the village constable, must have noticed his expression. “Your Grace, is something troubling you?”
“Good afternoon, constable. I was merely wondering, who is left in town? Everyone seems to be here.”
“Most of the businesses closed shortly before noon, since no one was going to shop now that the tea party has started. Let me assure you, the town is well guarded. My men are working in shifts so that everyone has a chance to attend at some point in the day. Those who are here now will leave early to allow those on duty to come up. Major Brennan does the same with his soldiers, including those on staff at the hospital. Everyone takes turns so no one misses out on this grand affair, but our quiet village remains fully protected.”
There was a harpist set up beside a rose bower.
“That’s my daughter, Verity,” the constable said, beaming with fatherly pride.
“She’s talented.” Daire meant it, for he had been to enoughtonmusicales and listened to plenty of sweet young things torture their instruments in the hope of gaining his admiration and attention, when all they managed to do was torture his ears.
“Thank you, Your Grace. When she finishes, the orchestra will take over and start playing their tunes. The villagers enjoy her harp music, but what they really want to do is dance. The guests will get a bit rowdy once the teapots are put away. But it is all in good fun.”
Daire continued to wander the grounds.
The house, which was quite grand in size, was open to those who wished to sit indoors. Not that guests were permitted to roam wherever they wished. Footmen stood guard to make certain those wandering in remained confined to the parlor. But they did not stop him from exploring the rooms beyond, no doubt because he was a duke.
No one interfered with a duke.
Daire took a quick look around the main rooms, curious as to the decorations and wall colors Duchess Henley had chosen. Not that he particularly cared, but he wanted to be prepared if Brenna insisted on his making decisions about Stoningham Manor.
He ambled through the parlor, the dining room, the entry hall, and finally strolled into the library. He thought he would be alone, but was surprised to find Brenna with her trusty journal in hand, too busy jotting down notes to notice him.
He laughed and leaned a shoulder against the doorjamb. “I might have known you would be snooping. How did you get around the duke’s watchdogs? They were not letting anyone past the parlor.”
“They let you through, didn’t they?” She smiled at him. “One of the footmen is a cousin of mine.”
Daire emitted a hearty chuckle. “Of course.”
“I suppose you got through because of your noble rank. No one is going to stop a duke from doing whatever he pleases.” She held up her journal. “I thought to prepare myself for the Stoningham Manor renovations. Your mother will expect a certain level of elegance, and I do not want to make any garish mistakes.”
“You won’t. You have naturally elegant tastes.” He left the door wide open and kept his distance, for he did not want any scandal arising should someone walk in on them. “Have you seen enough? Care to take a turn in the garden with me and tell me about your findings?”
She glanced upward. “In truth, I would love to see the bedchambers. But I think that is too much of a trespass.”
The library was near the grand staircase. The butler and footmen who were usually around had all been drawn to the parlor or outside, and had their hands full with the entire village on their lawn. “Come on, little dove,” Daire said. “I’ll stand guard while you scamper upstairs.”
Her eyes widened. “What if I am caught?”
“I will shoulder the blame. Go on. You know you want to snoop. I’ll whistle a warning if the duke or duchess come upstairs.”
“All right.” She cast him an adorable, conspiratorial grin. “You are a terrible influence, you know.”
“Yes, yes. Morally corrupt and all that. Get on upstairs before the party is over.”
She scurried up the steps, her derriere wiggling delightfully as she raced up. He waited at the foot of the staircase for her return. This girl really needed a little dose of wicked in her. Gad, she was so refreshingly innocent. Had sheevermisbehaved?
She hurried downstairs a few minutes later, a guilty blush on her cheeks. If Daire had to place wagers, he would bet it would take Brenna no more than a day to tearfully confess her so-called crime to Duchess Henley.
