Page 31 of An Innocent Maid for the Duke
He frowned. Was he being purely selfish in encouraging her to stay? Hardly. Being constantly in Rose’s company and unable to do more than be polite would be hellish.
This was for his grandmother’s sake. Nothing more.
So why was he now looking forward to the dinner hour more than he had in weeks?
Chapter Five
Chin pointed ceilingwards to permit the placing of an emerald in his cravat, an emerald much darker than the colour of Rose’s light green eyes, Jake became aware of a strange sound issuing from his valet.
‘Are you humming, Clacket?’
The sound stopped. ‘I believe I am, Your Grace. I beg your pardon.’ Clacket stepped back to admire his handiwork, his brown eyes bright in his round baby face.
‘And what has you lifting your voice in joy, may I ask?’
Jake felt a bit like humming himself, which was odd. It was only dinner, but the prospect of sharing a meal with Rose always lifted his spirits and without the aid of brandy.
‘Joy, Your Grace?’ Creases formed between sandy brows. ‘I supposed I am somewhat pleased. After all, it is the very heart and soul of a gentleman’s gentleman to see his gentleman departing from his care well turned out. It has been a while since Your Grace has taken much of an interest in his appearance.’
And tonight he had permitted the man to trim his hair and shave him clean before dinner. ‘So you deem me well turned out?’
Clacket pursed his lips and brushed a hand across Jacob’s shoulder as if to smooth the material. ‘Reasonably, Your Grace. Perhaps we might ask for a slightly better fit of the coat, but it would be nothing to take a seam in here or there, the coat being a little less snug than was your wont in the past, but otherwise...’
The coat was a little loose. Before the accident, Clacket would have struggled to get the coat on him. It had fitted like a second skin, as fashion demanded. Now, he slipped it on with ease. He must have lost weight. He frowned at himself in the pier glass. He’d dropped a stone at least. And he looked paler than normal. When and how had that occurred?
He was also hungry. It seemed his appetite had returned with a vengeance. Or was it simply that he was looking forward to crossing verbal swords with Rose? He had no doubt she would fight him every step of the way, when she realised just how many invitations he planned his grandmother would accept.
Invitations that six months ago he would have scorned as being a bore, given as how they tended to be small family affairs for those left in town over the summer. Card parties, the odd musical evening, or picnic, as well as the obligatory morning visits his grandmother deemed essential to a man seeking a wife.
Not that he was. Not yet. He wasn’t ready to tread the path to the altar. But he was ready to get back on the social horse. To show his face in polite society on a regular basis. He’d not been to a single event since he’d thrown the ball for Fred and Georgiana. And curse any of them who muttered behind his back about his culpability. Or about Rose.
Indeed, the best part of it all would be escorting Rose to those events. He could not help but wonder what she would make of it all and was secretly looking forward to hearing her candid opinions.
Perhaps all the gadding about would also help him sleep. Clacket finished inserting his diamond shirt buttons and began the task of tidying up.
Humming under his breath, Jake went down to the drawing room to await the ladies of the house.
Oliver joined him a few minutes later. His friend eyed him up and down. ‘You are looking better than the last time I saw you.’
‘You are not.’ His friend looked rather harried.
‘Why the urgent note to come to dinner?’
‘I need your help.’
Oliver eyed him askance. ‘Spit it out, man.’
‘I have a young cousin up from the country. She’s agreed to act as companion to my grandmother, but she needs a bit of town bronze. A formal dinner will bolster her confidence before we set out into the shark-infested waters of theton.’
‘Trying to pass a country bumpkin off on to theton? Can’t be done, old fellow. Sorry. They will spot her a mile off.’
He hadn’t. ‘I’ll trust your judgement on that after you have met her, but I am sure Grandmama or I can help her over any rough spots.’
‘Like a horse? Of all the queer starts you’ve ever had, Westmoor, this takes the cake, I must say, but I’m happy to spend an hour or so with Her Grace. She’s a good old stick and has always been cordial.’ His eyes gleamed. ‘Besides, if you are going to poke a stick in theton’seye, I don’t mind being part of the action.’
Not everyone was forgiving of Oliver’s background. As a boy he had taken great pains to never give them an opportunity to criticise him by maintaining the highest standards of good breeding. He would know if Rose was ready to face thetonand would not hesitate to say if she was not. ‘I will abide by your opinion.’ He poured them each a glass of sherry.
Oliver sipped his and nodded his approval. ‘Nice vintage.’ He turned as the door opened to admit the ladies and bowed. ‘Your Grace.’
