Page 32 of Noble Scoundrel

The coachman was visibly relieved to find his employers had made it home safely on their own, and Katherine was equally pleased to find that, aside from a bump on the head, the man had not been unduly harmed.

After freshening herself up with a bath, Katherine had called a quick meeting with the household’s senior servants. She’d explained the circumstances regarding the current threat as best she could without going into detail. The servants had obviously known of Frederick’s disappearance, and with this latest incident, there was no reason to try to conceal what they were up against. The more the household staff understood of the situation, the better prepared they might be to observe and react to anything unusual.

There was also the matter of Hale.

She glanced to the clock over the mantel. It was getting late. Where on earth was the man?

Just as she had the thought, Foster stepped into the doorway.

“Mr. Hale and Miss Claire have arrived,” the butler intoned evenly. “Shall I send for Mrs. Wallace?”

Katherine and Frederick rose to their feet in unison. “That won’t be necessary. We shall see to them.”

“They await you in the hall.”

“Thank you. Please have their things brought to the rooms we’ve prepared.”

The butler nodded and turned to leave. When she would have followed, Frederick stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“Don’t worry, Kit. Mr. Hale will help us.”

Katherine offered her brother a smile. “What makes you think I’m worried?”

The boy rolled his eyes in answer.

She gave him a playful swat on his shoulder. He knew her far too well. “Let’s go welcome them. I imagine you’re anxious to show Claire her new room.”

It had been easy enough to place Hale’s daughter in one of the bedrooms on the third floor near the schoolroom, and her nurse was given the smaller room next door. Since Frederick had chosen a room on the same floor rather than take up residence in the master suite, he was just down the hall from the girl.

Figuring out where to put Hale, however, had been a much greater challenge.

Although she was tempted to place Hale in the servants’ quarters, which would position him as far from the main part of the house as possible, it seemed counterintuitive to his purpose in being there.

After a great deal of agonizing over propriety and practicality, she finally settled on giving him a bedroom on the second floor near the stairs that could take him up to the level containing the children’s rooms within a few short minutes if necessary.

Unfortunately, that meant he was located along the same hallway as Katherine’s bedroom, though on the opposite end.

Just the idea of him being so near had her stomach tightening.

Frederick could claim it was no different than having a butler or some such senior servant about, but Katherine knew it was so very different.

They found Mr. Hale standing in the center of the gleaming parquet floor of their grand hall in all his overmuscled glory. Somehow, the former boxer made the entryway—which had been designed to inspire awe and deference in those who visited the ducal mansion—a practically insignificant setting for his overwhelming presence.

The coat he wore was dark grey wool and in a simple style that flattered his broad-shouldered form. Apparently, he was averse to proper neckcloths since she’d yet to see him wear one. His buckskin-colored breeches shaped snug to his solid thighs, and his knee-high boots were scuffed and in need of a polish. His long hair was secured back in a loose queue, as usual.

He looked rugged and capable and more confident in his casual clothing than any man she’d ever known. If he were ever decked out in full formal attire, the man would undoubtedly be devastating to the female gaze.

As her attention lifted to his face, she realized with a swift jolt that he was watching her assess him. And his well-shaped lips were curled in amusement.

She quickly shifted her focus to the little girl held high in his arms. One of Claire’s arms was wrapped around her father’s thick neck, and her chin was tucked bashfully as she snuck curious little peeks at the room around her.

As soon as she saw Frederick, however, her blue eyes sparkled and a sweet smile dimpled her cheeks.

Katherine couldn’t help but smile as well. The child was adorable.

Having reached them, she came to a stop and looked to Hale again. Her smile slid away when she noted his glittering gaze. Clearing her throat, she addressed him in a firm tone. “Welcome, Mr. Hale. I was starting to wonder if you’d arrive this evening after all.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Pining for me, were you?”

---