Page 51 of The Duke Who Loved Me (The Duke's Estates 1)

“Hired them?”

Mrs. Gardener looked apprehensive at Cecelia’s sharp tone.

“Yes.”

Was he actually proud? Who was this new James?

“I take it you’ve brought what I asked for,” he said.

“I have.” She touched her reticule, which bulged with a roll of banknotes.

“Splendid. We’ve nearly cleared out one room, thanks to my new helpers.” James gestured at the two older children.

“I got a pony,” said the girl. Jen, Cecelia recalled. She pulled a small china horse from the pocket of her gown and displayed it.

“Come, I’ll show you.” James beckoned Cecelia, then held up a hand when Ned started to follow them.

The room where Cecelia had found him the last time was indeed nearly empty. A pile of discarded items could be seen outside the window. It rose in an untidy mound to just below the sill. “I shall hire someone to haul that away,” said James when he saw Cecelia looking at it.

“This remains your method? Throwing things out the window?”

“Why not? They are refuse. And it is impossible to maneuver inside the house.”

She had to admit that was true.

He extended his hand. She pulled out the money and gave it to him.

“Splendid. I’ve given Mrs. Gardener everything I had left to buy provisions. I think she’s worried that I’m as poor as she is.”

“James.”

“The whole family is staying in the servant’s old room in the basement. It’s rather a hole, with a single cot. I’m surprised anyone tolerated it. We unearthed some cushions for the children to sleep on.” He looked around. “I shall move them up here next, until we can clear more space. There’s no lack of furnishings, of course.” He offered a wry smile.

“James.”

“The children are more help than I’d expected. This seems like a treasure hunt to them. They make a game of it. I’ve let them keep a few trinkets to encourage that idea. It rather keeps one’s spirits up.”

“You can’t mean to stay here,” said Cecelia. But she wondered. She tried to remember when she’d seen him in such a carefree, ebullient mood.

“I can do as I like.” He turned away from her. “I have found some real treasures. Come, I’ll show you.” He walked out.

Cecelia followed. They edged along the cluttered corridor to the entryway and then up the stairs and down another hall. James disappeared through a doorway.

Entering behind him, Cecelia found a bedchamber with a canopied bed and conventional shaving stand. It was old-fashioned, but a relief compared to the oppressive crowding in the rest of the house. Three massive wardrobes lined up along one wall were the only reminders of that.

A table on one side held an array of objects. Cecelia spotted a beautiful silver creamer, an inlaid snuffbox, a tiara worth a great deal if the jewels were real. Surely they couldn’t be? There were some carved jade figurines and a small, exquisite cloisonné vase.

“Look here,” said James, opening a wooden box. “These are very old, I think.” He displayed a set of stone blades that looked as if they belonged in a museum.

“All of these things were in the jumble?”

“Stuck in nooks and crannies,” replied James.

“That’s idiotic. The old duke must have hadsomesystem.” The idea of none at all appalled her. Chaos made her brain reel.

“After sifting through the contents of just one room, I can state definitively that he did not,” James replied. “He seems to have had the mind and habits of a demented pack rat.”

“He needed help. But no one knew.” Cecelia wandered over to one of the wardrobes. She reached for the clasp.

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