Page 104 of The Duke Who Loved Me (The Duke's Estates 1)

“Never mind,” said Cecelia. “We’re expecting someone. We will let him in.”

“I can do it, milady” was the gruff reply.

“Please do,” said James. He observed Cecelia’s raised eyebrows and questioning gaze as Ferris stumped out. Later he would explain to her about a man’s pride. Another thing he might know more about!

They followed and thus got to see the visitor’s surprise when a somewhat battered ex-soldier opened the door.

“Name?” asked Ferris, in the crisp tone of a sentry on duty.

“Reginald Nordling,” replied the newcomer, handing over his card even though his eyes were on James and Cecelia at the back of the entryway.

Ferris turned, holding it. “Mr. Reginald Nordling of Drellinger’s Auction House,” he read out at parade-ground volume.

Perhaps he would appoint Ferris butler, James thought.

They moved forward to meet the visitor, who bowed low and said, “Your Graces.” He seemed inordinately pleased to be in the presence of a duke and duchess.

James stepped over to the right-hand parlor doorway and pushed it open as far as the mass of furnishings inside would allow. When he turned, he saw that Cecelia had done the same with the left-hand parlor door.

Mr. Nordling dithered for a moment before hurrying over to peer in. Left, then right, James noticed. “Merciful heavens,” the man said.

“The whole house is like this,” replied Cecelia.

Mr. Nordling grew more and more wide-eyed as they conducted him about the place. “I had heard whispers of this,” he murmured. “But seeing it is…”

“Melancholy,” said James.

“Overwhelming,” said Cecelia at the same moment.

“No, Your Graces, it is fascinating. Who knows what treasures we might find in this?”

“Well, I have some idea,” said James. “I sorted out two rooms. Nearly.”

“With what result?”

“I found broken-down furniture, mostly, which I chucked out a window.”

Mr. Nordling looked distressed. “It will be far better to have everything evaluated by an expert eye, Your Grace. Valuable things might be salvaged. But we can look outdoors as well.”

“Much of it has since been stolen,” said Cecelia.

Were they blaming him? Was he now to add incompetent to his catalog of faults? Cecelia had urged him to work, and now his methods were to be criticized.

“It is just that… With a few repairs, a piece can often be made quite saleable.”

“Even when it has been thoroughly chewed by rats?” asked James.

“Rats?” Mr. Nordling looked around uneasily.

“Oh yes, we have quite a colony.”

“The cats have taken care of them,” said Cecelia. “Mrs. Gardener said they have not seen a single one in three days.”

It was obvious that Mr. Nordling had never dealt with a property such as this. He goggled, and his mouth opened and closed twice, making him resemble a goldfish, James thought.

“So as to your methods…” Cecelia began.

James had to make a push to deal with this fellow, show her he wasn’t useless. “I assume you will separate everything into categories,” he said.

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