Page 74 of It's All About the Duke
The thought was heady. His breathing kicked up.
“Thunderbolts and lighting, Marlena. He is your guardian. It is his responsibility to see to it that you live in a safe and suitable home, and right now, this one isn’t. It will be quite all right for a few days until this rodent infestation has been dealt with.”
Listening to them, watching Marlena, Rath breathed in deeply and relaxed. The rake inside him wanted to accept Mrs. Abernathy’s plan no matter his honor, no matter the consequences. No matter that his father would have disapproved and challenged him to do what was right and be a gentleman.
But how often had he listened to his father unless it was concerning the dukedom? Mastering the business of their estates, companies, and lands had been easy. Accomplished with his father’s approval before he died. Mastering being a gentlemen had never been easy forRath, and his father took the failure of trying to teach him to his grave. Being circumspect in all things wasn’t easy for a man who enjoyed indulging in the guilty pleasures life offered, such as spending a week at someone’s house doing nothing other than drinking, playing cards, and making himself available to willing women.
But now his thoughts were only on Marlena.
“Mrs. Abernathy is right. I, more so than others, know the definition of scandal, Miss Fast. I assure you, I’ll make your stay at my house as short-lived as possible.”
Marlena’s surprised gasp pleased him.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Mrs. Abernathy said with a smile. “I knew you would see reason and be kind and hospitable to us during our hour of need. How can Society balk when we have been overrun by mice? Everyone will understand the peril we’re in.”
“I’m sure they would, Mrs. Abernathy, if that were to be the case. I’ll make arrangements for you and Miss Fast to be moved into my home this afternoon. However, as a gentleman and her guardian, I won’t do anything to tarnish Miss Fast’s reputation. Mice or no mice. I’ll stay at one of my clubs until you and Miss Fast are back here in your own home.”
“Oh, the perfect gentleman indeed,” she exclaimed. “I knew you would be. Yes, yes. That would be much more appropriate but, of course, I’d never ask you to leave your own home.”
“And neither would I,” Marlena argued. “Your Grace, this is madness. There is no reason for us to leaveourhome and certainly no reason for you to leave yours for us. It was a mouse. They are everywhere, including in the walls of your home.”
He smiled. “I know, but I think you need to do this for Mrs. Abernathy’s well-being.”
“Her well-being would be best served by staying here.The first ball of the Season is only a few days away! You can’t imagine what we’d have to pack. I don’t even want to think about it!”
“A minor inconvenience, Marlena. We now have more staff because of the duke and it will take them no time. All will be well.” Justine smiled at the duke. “I’m grateful you, at least, understand my delicate nerves, Your Grace. And as for you,” Mrs. Abernathy said, turning back to Marlena, “don’t look at the duke as if you want to snap him in two for being so kind and humoring me by letting us havehishouse. He remembers I was the diamond of the Season and appreciates my delicate sensibilities.” Justine lifted her chest even higher. “Besides, I’m sure the duke has a garden that has started to bud. No doubt you will find it fascinating to walk around in and look at all his gardener has planted. Soon you will forget all about your dear friends next door.”
Rath stared at Marlena for a moment or two. She didn’t give in easily to Justine or anything. An admirable trait that pleased him. Suddenly a hunger for her engulfed him. Though at first it had bothered him, he really didn’t mind her being in the garden if it gave her pleasure. He liked gardens, too. He enjoyed the scent of fragrant herbs, rich, freshly plowed soil, and he loved the smell of sunshine on Marlena. Gardens were beautiful places for walks, talks, and most of all, for forbidden kisses and caresses.
Being a gentleman was damned hard.
Chapter 19
He could be a rake if he tries to gain your attention by doing something unexpectedly nice for someone you care for.
MISSHONORATRUTH’SWORDS OFWISDOMANDWARNINGABOUTRAKES, SCOUNDRELS, ROGUES, ANDLIBERTINES
“Do tell him to be careful with my trunks, Sneeds,” Justine said as she and Marlena stood in the entryway of the duke’s St. James home. “I would be devastated to hear any of my perfume bottles breaking.”
“Really, Justine,” Marlena whispered, holding Tut’s warm body in her arms. “The duke’s staff knows how to handle your baggage. I’m sure everything will be fine.”
“We can hope,” Justine answered and turned back to the butler. “I should like to know what the duke’s favorite scent is.”
The short man looked aghast and snapped his hands behind his back. “I don’t discuss anything about the duke, madam.”
“Hmm. Very well. I’ll find out for myself.” Justine looked toward the two men carrying her trunk up thestairs. “You did tell them that I should be settled in the duke’s chambers, didn’t you?”
Sneeds pulled up his thin shoulders, lifted his square chin, and rose up on his toes. He was still no match for Justine’s superior height and breadth. “Certainly not.”
“Then you should. The duke would want me to occupy his suite of rooms. Wait,” she called to the men who were about to reach the landing at the top of the stairs. “You there, with my trunk, wait, please.”
The men stopped and turned their heads toward her. “That will go in the duke’s rooms.”
“No, it will not,” Sneeds said, also looking up at the men. “Put it in the room where you were told it would go.”
“Now, see here,” Justine said to Sneeds. “The duke would want me to have the bigger rooms.”
Holding himself stiffly, the butler insisted, “I can’t allow that, madam.”
