Page 9 of The Artisan and the Duke
As it turned out, with the invention of those shiny textile machines, Jules was better off with masonry as a skillset. The true artisanship of seamstresses was quickly fading, and work was scarce for those who worked with textiles.
They sat there for so long that the hope faded from Mrs Kelley’s eyes. It was entirely possible that the nobleman had forgotten them or that it would simply prove impossible. Jules drew in a deep breath. “I should probably go see if I can’t locate him. He could have run into trouble with as on edge as the streets are right now.”
Mrs Kelley nodded, and Jules rose just as a knock sounded on the door. Tally practically jumped off her crate. Jules eased over to the door and called, “Who is it?”
“Just a foolish nobleman,” Gregory’s voice called back. Jules cracked open the door. Gregory’s grey eyes stared back at her with amusement.
Jules pulled the door open wide and said, “I was just coming to look for you.”
“I am grateful to save you the steps,” Gregory said with a smile. He looked over at Mrs Kelley. “Ah, these must be your other daughters,” he said, catching sight of the two little girls with Mrs Kelley.
Mrs Kelley smiled proudly, “Yes, Milord, this is Georgette and Talenda.”
“No one calls her Talenda,” Georgette spoke up. “Her name is Tally, and I’m Georgie.”
Gregory gave the little girls a deep bow. “I am deeply honoured to meet you, fair ladies,” he said with more conviction than he had when saying the same thing to ladies of the court.
Georgie grinned broadly at Jules. Jules just rolled her eyes at the nobleman’s antics. “Where will you be taking them?” Jules had no intention of letting her family go without first knowing their destination.
Gregory looked confused. “You do not intend to travel with them?”
“I have a duty to my guild and to the people around here to keep them as safe as I can,” Jules said firmly. “I’m not one to shirk my duties.”
Mrs Kelley looked between Jules and the nobleman. Gregory simply shrugged. “You cannot stay here,” he said reasonably. “You know that this will be one of the first places they come looking for all the people connected with the local activists’ and workers’ rallies. Who do you think people are going to point to first?” Gregory saw Jules’ mind working.
He soothed, “Your family is going to be staying at my estate in the country. If you wish, you can reside at my family’s home here in London until things are calmer. I know you wish to be close, and that’s the best I can offer at present.”
Jules gave her mother a nod. “As long as my mother and sisters are okay, then I guess I owe you, Lord.”
“Then it is all settled. We will need to return to my London estate to prepare. I hope you ladies are amicable to that.” Gregory gave them all a bright smile. “I have a carriage waiting for us just outside.”
Tally jumped up. “Am I going to get to sleep in a real bed?”
“Yes,” Gregory replied in amusement. Tally gave a whoop of joy before being silenced by her mother’s stern look. “Shall we?” Gregory held the door open but came over to take the luggage from Jules as she sought to help her mother get it outside. Outside, a man leapt down off the carriage and took the luggage from Gregory before placing it on the rack of the carriage.
Georgie tugged on Jules shirt. She whispered, “Won’t you come with us to the country?”
“I promise that I will eventually. I just need to finish up a few things,” Jules said to her sister softly.
***
Jules had never seen such fine things as filled the home of this strange nobleman. Her mother and sisters had been whisked away at once to go find their rooms for the night by an overly happy maid. “Miss Kelley,” the nobleman appeared at her elbow causing Jules to jump.
“Forgive me for startling you,” he said with a smile. “I fear that I have not really introduced myself, and here you are giving me your family for safe keeping.”
“Well, I know you are a Duke and that your surname is St Claire. I know of only one family that fits that description so you would have to be the Duke of Thornton,” Jules said logically. She noted the look of genuine surprise on the man’s face. “I might not emulateThe ton, but my father always said that it pays to know who your adversaries are.”
“I warrant being an adversary?” Gregory asked in wonderment. “Here I thought I was being quite charming.”
Jules countered, “Lots of things can appear quite different than they actually are, Your Grace.”
“True,” Gregory admitted. “I am the first-born son and therefore got the privilege of accepting the mantle of the family title. However, it gets tiresome with everyone calling me by inflated honorifics all the time. I prefer Gregory, to be honest.”
Jules mumbled, “Gregory.” She shook her head. “What will you tell your family about why we are here?”
“I will simply tell them the truth. I hired your mother to do housekeeping and to be a private seamstress for my mother. Lady St Claire has several gowns made per season, and it would be a decent wage,” Gregory said.
Jules nodded. She did not want to hurt the chances of her family getting helped by the man, but it seemed to her that he was just creating strife for himself. There was no real reason for him to get involved in their woe.
