Page 2 of The Duke of Lies
The only reason an Entwhistle was no longer the steward was because Rufus had encouraged Whist to retire. Whist had demurred, but in the end, Rufus hadn’t given him a choice. Then, at her father’s behest, he’d installed Cuddy.
Thomas turned his humbled gaze to Verity. “I’d be honored to accept the position. Of course, I’ll need to inform my current employer, and I wouldn’t want to leave immediately.”
Whist nodded. “Certainly not. In the meantime, I can help take up the slack.” He looked to Verity. “That is, if you’d want me to.”
Verity smiled warmly as some of the tension left her shoulders. “I should like nothing more. But only if you think you’re up to it.”
He let out a soft chuckle. “I can do what needs be done while Thomas gets his affairs in order. When do you plan to let Cuddy go?”
The anxiety that had just left returned to Verity’s frame with disturbing force. She oughtn’t be afraid to exert her authority as duchess, but she was nervous about telling the man he would no longer be employed at the estate. It wasn’t just his size—and Cuddy was a towering fellow with more than a bit of brawn—but his demeanor. He was always courteous and deferential, yet Verity had never felt comfortable around him. He possessed a nervous energy that put her on edge. She assumed it was just her but now found the courage to broach the subject.
“How do you think he’ll take it?”
“In a professional manner,” Whist said. “As he should. Why, do you have reason to think he’ll behave otherwise?”
Then itwasjust her. But then she interacted with him far more than Whist did. “Not really,” she said, deciding not to pursue what were probably just silly concerns. She’d been isolated the last several years at Beaumont Tower, content to focus on her son. But now she was eager to break free of her constraints and exert her duty—and her power—as duchess. She owed it to her son if not herself.
Thomas gave her an earnest stare. “If Cuddy gives you any trouble, I hope you’ll let us know immediately.”
“I will, thank you.” She rose, and they stood along with her. “I’ll plan to speak with him tomorrow morning, so Thomas, if you’d like to inform your employer tomorrow, I’ll leave that up to you.”
Thomas bowed. “I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve you and the fine estate of Beaumont Tower, Your Grace.”
“It is I who am honored and grateful,” Verity said with a smile. “Now, do stop that as I’ve never been one to appreciate obsequiousness.”
Her new steward grinned as he straightened. “I’ll endeavor to remember that.”
She liked his smile. It made her feel a bit more at ease at the coming change. “I should tell you that I plan to be very involved in the management of the estate—as involved as my husband would have been, if he were here.”
“I find that an admirable enterprise,” Thomas said with a gleam in his eye. “I will ensure you fulfill the role you desire.”
“Has it really been nearly seven years since His Grace went missing?” Whist asked.
“It will be in August, yes.” It seemed a lifetime, and she supposed it was—their son’s lifetime. Rufus had not only never met his son, he’d never even known she was expecting. He’d left for London to bow before the king and hadn’t returned.
Whist gave her a caring look that bordered on pity, something she was used to receiving and eager to cast aside. “It can’t have been easy, but soon you’ll be able to move on and let him go.”
Oh, she’d let him go quite some time ago. Not long after he’d left, if she were honest. She was certain the marriage had been orchestrated by her father. A man she loathed had wed her to a man she’d come to detest. Thankfully, she’d had to endure Rufus for only a little more than three months before he’d vanished. She’d thanked God every single day and felt absolutely horrid for it.
The mild smile she’d perfected over the past six and a half years rose effortlessly to her lips. “Thank you. I am quite eager to move on, and this sets me on that path.” She looked to Thomas. “I’ll send a note confirming the date of Cuddy’s departure.”
Thomas nodded. “May I walk you out?”
“Of course.”
The trio left Whist’s cottage, and Beau ran directly into Verity’s skirts. “Mama, can we take the baby goat home?”
She widened her eyes at Whist in silent appeal.
The former steward coughed. “I’m afraid not.”
Thomas squatted down to Beau’s level. “If you took her with you, she and her mother would be very sad. It would be like you leaving your mother. You wouldn’t wish to do that, would you?”
Beau looked up at Verity, his green eyes wide. “No, I wouldn’t wish that at all.” His hand found hers, and she gave his fingers a squeeze.
The boy snapped his head back to Thomas. “Then her mama will come with us too.”
Thomas was quiet a moment, his expression thoughtful as he contemplated Beau’s earnest face. “That would certainly solve one problem, but I believe it would create another.” He glanced toward Whist. “You see, these are my Grandpapa’s goats, and he loves them dearly. He would be sad if they left. Perhaps you could come visit them?”
