Page 31 of A Bonny Pretender
“For the moniker, let’s just stick with Raines or Frank. Not everyone is so pleased.” Frank remembered the anger emanating off Sir Horace last night.
He’s in shock,Lady Brecken had said,and needs time to think it through. Our father is a good, caring man. You’ll see.
A good, caring man who had practically dragged his wife from the ball rather than have a discussion with his illegitimate son. Granted, they’d all been ill-prepared for the meeting, and it had taken place in a stranger’s house. Though it had been a punch to the gut, Brigid had soothed the hurt. Her lovely face and the affection in her eyes were a healing balm.
“What are we going to do? I told Uncle I cannot turn my back on you, regardless of his decision.” Charles’ face turned a pale shade of green. “I must depart. We’ll meet later.”
Frank watched him hurry away, a hand clutching his stomach. “Hair of the dog,” he called after him.
*
He had anappointment with Miss MacNaughton soon. Hyde Park and then Gunter’s. Between her adorable smile and the famous London sweets, his day was looking brighter.
“I’m meeting a beautiful woman, Barker, so work your miracles.” He looked in the mirror, noting his own bloodshot eyes from lack of sleep, and then grinned at his valet’s bland look. “Do you like women, Barker?”
“Yes, my lord,” he replied.
“Do youenjoywomen?” Frank wiggled his eyebrows.
“Yes, my lord,” he repeated and held up the gray and blue-striped waistcoat.
“I hope this young lady will be my wife,” Frank added.
The expression never changed on the older man’s face. “Very good, my lord.”
“Can I ask you a question, Barker?”
“You mean another one? Of course, my lord.”
“Did you like my stepfather?”
“Not at all.”
Even though he asked the question, he’d expected Barker to say he admired or respected the late viscount. The answer made him chuckle. “Then why did you stay?”
“He refused to give me a reference.” Barker’s fingers worked efficiently as he wrapped and tied the snowy white cravat.
Despicable!“Yet you stayed with me. Why?”
“You offered a glowing referenceifI chose to leave.”
Frank rubbed his jaw. “So, you had an escape if you didn’t like working for me?”
“No, my lord. You treated me as a man.” He paused for only a moment and looked Frank in the eye. “It is every man’s right to make his own choices. You provided that without a second thought. Your father withheld it at the same speed.”
“I’m a fair employer?” Frank asked, trying to understand.
“Yes, sir, but it’s more than that. You are a nobleman with integrity.” Barker refocused his attention on the cravat. “I swore when I was able to leave your father’s employ, I would only procure employment from such a man.”
Frank blinked, wondering if he’d ever heard the valet utter so many words at once. And why did Barker’s opinion fill his own chest with such pride? “I’m going to Gunter’s today. Have you been there?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you like the ices?”
“Yes, sir, but I prefer the ice cream over the sorbet.”
“Why?” He realized he knew hardly anything about Barker, and he was suddenly very interested in this reserved man.
