Page 35 of Last Night with the Duke
“As a matter of fact, he is.”
“I like my room. Napoleon likes it too. Thank you for letting us stay here with Essie.”
That was the second time she’d called Miss Swift “Essie.” He approved of the nickname she had for her sister and wondered if Miss Swift ever called her “Josie” or “Jessie.”Probably not,he thought. With flame-red hair and deep green eyes, “Josephine” fit the girl perfectly. He wouldn’t shorten it either.
“May I ask you something?”
“No, you may not.” Miss Swift spoke up again. “Enough of this chattering, Josephine. His Grace has been very patient with you, but you have taken up enough of his time.”
Griffin glanced over at Miss Swift and said, “Did you forget I grew up with two sisters in the house demanding their older brother’s attention and that of his friends whenever they were around? You are worrying too much. When she has a question, let her ask and I’ll answer—if I can.”
“All right.”
He then returned his attention to Josephine, and in a good-natured voice with a grin on his lips asked, “Do you ever get to say what you want to when she’s around?”
Josephine stared up at her sister and preened delightedly before looking at Griffin and saying, “Not often. She talks a lot.”
He chuckled. “That’s what I was thinking. You have permission to ask me whatever you want whenever you want.”
“You might regret saying that to her, Your Grace,” Miss Swift offered.
Griffin took note that Miss Swift was a little miffed that he’d given her sister the same permission he gave her to speak freely to him. She had a choke hold on the braided cords of the little velvet reticule she held. And he had to admit that Miss Swift’s show of displeasure was very enticing to a man who already wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she sighed with passion.
“I believe I told you that I like a woman who knows her mind and isn’t afraid to speak it.”
“Do you have a back garden?” Josephine asked.
Clearing his wayward thoughts and his throat, Griffin said, “That’s an easy question to answer. I do.”
“May I take Napoleon outside to play in it?”
When was the last time anyone had asked such a simple request of him? To play in his garden. He couldn’t remember a time in recent years. Being a duke, there was always someone wanting something from him. Usually the requests were from someone in Parliament, another peer, his overseers or accountants, and sometimes his tenants. And the favors were usually much harder to accomplish than saying a simpleyesto a twelve-year-old girl.
“I don’t see why not.”
“All by ourselves?” she asked with eager excitement showing in her face. “Essie won’t let us go outside alone where we live.”
“Your sister is probably right about that. It’s not safe or proper in a business district.”
“That’s what she says.”
“But while you are here at my house, you and Napoleon may play in my garden as often and long as you wish without supervision.”
Her eyes brightened like stars. “Thank you, Your Grace!”
Griffin quickly looked over at Miss Swift. “That is if it doesn’t interfere with anything your sister has planned for you. Her wishes must come first.”
“They always do,” Josephine said.
“In that case, I’ll speak to Sparks so he’ll know you have permission to treat this house as your home while you are here. One other thing. My gardener, Fenton, will probably be out there most days. He might have other men with him sometimes.” He glanced over at Miss Swift. “The man prides himself on his talents to produce the biggest and best blooms in the Royal Horticulture Society. Other gardeners often stop by to see what he’s growing for the May Day Fair.”
“I like flowers too, but we won’t bother Mr. Fenton,” Josephine said. “I promise.”
“I didn’t think you would, but I wanted you to know his name should you be out when he’s working.”
Another big smile spread across her face. “Thank you, Your Grace. May we go out now?”
“I’m fine with it.” He looked at Miss Swift again.
