Page 3 of The Duke of Lies
Beau expelled a breath and looked longingly toward the goat pen. “I could.” He turned his gaze to Verity. “Can I, Mama?”
“Of course.” And because her son could melt her heart like no other, she said, “Perhaps we should consider keeping a goat herd closer to the castle. Then you could help tend the babies.”
Beau’s eyes lit, and his mouth spread into a wide, gleeful smile. “Oh yes! Let’s make Cuddy do that right away.”
Verity laughed at his excitement while at the same time delighting in the fact that she soon wouldn’t have to “make Cuddy” do anything except leave. And she hoped that would occur without upset. “Iwill make sure it happens, my dear.” She looked down at Thomas, who gave her a firm nod.
Her new steward grinned at Beau. “It seems we’ve come to an excellent conclusion for everyone.”
Beau nodded. “Thank you for helping me solve this problem. Mama says solving problems is one of the most important things we must learn.”
Thomas tipped his face up to Verity. “Your mama is right, and what a lucky boy you are to have her.” His gaze was warm with respect and perhaps something else that made Verity think of him in a different light—as a gentleman and not just her new employee. Well, that wouldn’t do.
Before she could say it was time to go, Beau asked, “Where is your mama, Thomas?”
“Oh, she died some time ago.” His voice held just a tinge of sadness.
“My papa might be dead,” Beau said rather matter-of-factly. “But I think he’ll come home someday.” He leaned close to Thomas and lowered his voice to what he probably thought was a whisper but that was barely below a regular speaking tone. “I think he was kidnapped. Someday when I am big, I will rescue him and bring him home.”
It was moments like these that pulled at Verity’s emotions. She’d never even hinted that Beau’s father had been awful, and the staff hadn’t either. They had to have been cognizant of the cruelty he’d heaped on Verity, but they’d never openly discussed it. She could only imagine the type of father he would have been to Beau. That was the primary reason she was grateful he was gone—she would have hated to see him mistreat her son. In fact, she wasn’t sure she could’ve borne it.
So while she appreciated Beau’s need to romanticize his father, she remained somewhat neutral. Only in the last year or so had she begun to prepare Beau for the probability that his father wouldn’t return. Soon she would have to explain that Rufus was dead and that he—Beau—would be the duke. That wasn’t a conversation she looked forward to.
“I have no doubt you will rescue him,” Thomas said solemnly. “And how fortunate your father is to have you as his champion.”
Beau let go of Verity’s hand to put his hands on his hips. “Yes, I am his champion. Like a knight! I like to play knights.”
Thomas chuckled. “I do too. Do you have a wooden sword?”
Beau gave Verity a rather mutinous look. “No. Mama won’t let me have one because I kept running through the drawing room with it.”
“Well, we must listen to our mothers.” Thomas gave her an apologetic nod.
It was past time to save the gracious Thomas from her son. Verity couldn’t help but be impressed with how he’d interacted with Beau, and she looked forward to having him on the estate. Perhaps he would be able to provide Beau with some of the fatherly direction he was lacking. “Come, Beau, we should be on our way. It’s nearly time for your luncheon and then afternoon lessons with Mr. Deacon.”
His nurse moved toward the coach and nodded toward the door. “Come along then, your lordship.”
Beau waved to the Entwhistles. “Good-bye!” He lingered briefly at the goat pen before clambering into the coach with the nurse’s help.
Verity turned to Thomas, who’d risen to his normal height, which was a bit taller than her five feet seven inches. “Thank you for your kindness to my son. I daresay he will enjoy having you on the estate.”
“It will be a pleasure. He’s a charming boy.”
“In need of a fatherly figure,” Whist put in as he looked between them with a half smile.
Thomas threw his grandfather a scandalized look. “I wouldn’t dare to presume.”
“Your grandfather vocalized what I’d been thinking,” Verity said. “Beau is in need of someone to show him some things, such as how to care for a baby goat. Several members of my staff assist however they can.” She thought of her butler, Kirwin, who doted on Beau. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you that part of your job will likely include instructing Beau in the ways of the estate.” She’d mentioned this to Cuddy when Beau had turned six in January and she’d hired his tutor, Mr. Deacon, but the steward had done what he always did—put her off.
“I would be honored to teach him,” Thomas said. “And as you know, I learned from the very best.” He shot a smile toward his grandfather, who laughed before moving forward to clap his grandson on the back.
“You were an easy student, my boy. Truly, Your Grace, the estate won’t be in better hands.”
“I think so too.” She nodded toward them. “I’ll see you both soon.”
She went to the coach, where the coachman helped her inside, and a moment later, they were on their way.
Beau scooted close to her side, his warm body tucked against hers. “Mama, can I come back to visit the goats tomorrow?”
