Page 51 of Why Do Earls Fall in Love?
“Just smell,” she ordered.
Dutifully, he leaned forward and sniffed. “I smell rose water.”
Unexpectedly, she flushed, a deep pink that spread up from the closely drawn collar of her robe. “That’s just my bath water.” She pointed. “Go stand over there and try again.”
He did, eager to get away from the image that overtook him—laying her on the bed, peeling away her nightclothes and exploring to find that heady scent in her every nook and cranny.
Damnation, now he was flushing. He moved behind the bed and sniffed. “Lemon? Beeswax?”
“Yes. Exactly. Margie possessed a lovely receipt for a polish that cleans and shines and leaves behind such a fresh scent. She wanted to mix it up, but the household didn’t contain the supplies for the making of it.”
“Margie is the maid?”
She nodded.
“Well, I suppose it makes sense,” he pointed out as he returned. “They wouldn’t have had use for such things before.”
“Yes, but it was the strangest thing. She did not wish to ask the cook to put the ingredients on her market list. She wouldn’t say why, she just asked permission to go herself.”
“Perhaps she has a beau in one of the market stalls.”
“I accompanied her. She didn’t even attempt to linger, but hurried right back to mix up her concoction.”
“All right, then.” He waited. “From your manner, I assume there is some other significance I’m missing?”
“I believe someone in your household is cheating you, Gabriel, and Margie knows it.”
“Oh, well, yes. It’s very likely.”
“Youknew?”
“Well, I didn’tknow. Not for sure. But I did tell you they are a disreputable lot.”
She heaved and exasperated sigh. “I take it, then, that you will not mind if I . . . dispose . . . of a few of them?”
His gaze sharpened.
“I’m in no hurry,” she assured him. “I want to see how things go as I put them all to work, as in any other Mayfair home.”
He raised his brow. “Are you going to fill a sketch book with images ofallof the staff?”
Her chin lifted. “I very likely will. I will also be going through the household accounts. I believe I shall go back to the market and compare the prices charged and those entered in the books. If the cook is cheating you, then she will be dismissed. Frankly, I should send her packing based on this day’s offering of meals, alone.”
“Handle it as you will. But find someone who can make a pie like the one you sent me, will you?” His gaze softened as he glanced at her. “Thank you, by the way.”
“They are delicious, aren’t they?” She hesitated. “Unless you object, I also mean to make some changes in the furnishings in the rest of the house. Will you mind?”
“No.” He sighed. “If you insist on cleaning the mess, then you might as well have it all the way you want it.”
She looked gratified. “Thank you.”
“I have thought about it and I imagine that discovering that I married you hastily, in the midst of scandal and without telling him, will send my father into a rage. That will have to do.”
“Yes, well. So glad I could provide a rage-inducing substitute,” she said wryly.
“As am I.” He straightened suddenly. “I will make sure that my man of business knows to deliver the quarterly household monies to you from now on. But, Charlotte, I do have to warn you. Don’t fire Hurley unless you have good cause.”
She frowned. “I wouldn’t.” He could nearly see the gears turning in her head. “But why do you say so?” Her eyes narrowed. “Is he the one spying on you and sending word of you to your father?”
