Page 11 of Every Duke Has His Thorn
“They’ve just begun.” He paused and added with a twist of his lips, “You didn’t mention the architect’s secretary was a woman.”
The other man grinned. “I thought it would be a nice surprise. I haven’t seen the girl in a few years. She looked to be shaping up to be quite a beauty.”
“Miss Davies is indeed beautiful. She wears spectacles. Spectacles I think she doesn’t need.” He took a bite of the venison on his plate.
“Self-preservation.” Grayson added gravely, “If her figure is still as I remember, she needs to be careful.”
Preston felt heat on his cheeks as he remembered the young woman's silhouette in the garden.
“Ahh… I see you noticed.”
It was his turn to shrug. “I would never dally with my employees. She has nothing to fear from me.”
“Miss Davies would be no soft touch for anyone, much less a peer. Her mother was the daughter of an earl, disowned when she married Davies. The girl is not an enthusiast of the aristocracy, despite her father recently being made a baronet.”
He now understood her barely suppressed hostility.
Grayson continued, “You’re in good hands with Sir Joseph. I’ve seen the results of his work.”
“Many of the younger architects are interested in renovating instead of restoring,” he replied, taking a sip of wine. “Sir Jeffry Wyatville is much too busy with his work at Windsor Castle to take on another project. And he’s aging.”
A footman entered the dining room with a tray of sweets for the dessert course.
After selecting a lemon tart from the tray, his host asked, “Would you prefer to stay here for the duration? You’re always welcome.”
“Not as of yet. I’m using a room on the first floor as a makeshift bedchamber. Although, if the noise at the hall gets to be too much, I may take you up on your offer.”
“How is your new steward getting along?” Grayson asked.
“Mr. Bailey is an extremely competent man. Thank you for allowing me to steal him from under your nose.” He raised his wine glass to the other man.
“Bailey was unhappy here as old Mr. Turner has shown no sign of wanting to retire and hand the leads to someone else.” He shook his head. “I never would have thought Mr. Sparks would take advantage as he did.”
Preston had to agree that the man’s behavior was inexplicable after being employed by the estate for over twenty years.
They spent several minutes discussing the improvements Preston had undertaken on tenant housing. Soon he found himself eager to return home. Was it merely to see what the laborers had accomplished that day, or did he hope to encounter a young miss with dark hair and flashing eyes?
Chapter Six
When her father returned to the dower house late that afternoon, Marina had completed her sketch of the roof and its damaged areas.
“Excellent!” He smiled wistfully, studying her work. “You get your talent for drawing from your mother.”
Once he placed the drawing on the writing desk, she gave him a brief hug. Stepping back, she asked slyly, “Have I earned a tour of what has been accomplished in the house so far?”
“Come along,” he replied with a chuckle. “You’ve been far more patient than I would have expected.”
That could be because she wasn’t sure she was ready to chance running into the duke again. He’d seen her without her disguise. What must he think of her attempts to conceal her features? She decided not to examine why it mattered what the man thought of her.
As they exited the house and walked across the courtyard to the hall, Marina glanced up at the roof of the house. Several workers were moving high above them.
Her father informed her, “Since there was no damage to the ceiling of the entrance hall, several men are occupied cleaning the plaster in that area.”
As they walked through the entrance hall, the craftsmen spared barely a glance for Marina.
“The housekeeper notified me that the duke has moved his quarters to a bedchamber at the rear of the first floor where no work is being done at present. We’re to avoid that area if possible.” He led her to the drawing room. “I want your opinion on the medallions in the ceiling.”
The curtains in the room were open, and the day was bright outside, allowing sufficient light into the room for Marina to inspect the ceiling.
