Page 75 of It's All About the Duke
“Thunderbolts and lightning! Why not? The duke won’t be using the rooms while we are here.” She paused and then added under her breath, “Not unless he wants to, of course.”
Marlena’s grip tightened around Tut in frustration. “Justine, please be careful what you say.”
“I said nothing wrong, my dear girl. Merely the truth.”
“The duke would have to give permission, Mrs. Abernathy. He hasn’t done so. I’m afraid it’s not possible for you to be allowed to use his private chambers.”
“Sneeds is right, Justine,” Marlena added, hoping to put this unpleasant conversation to an end. “You have no right to invade the duke’s private chambers. We will only be in the house a few days. It doesn’t matter the room you’re given.”
“I have no idea how long we will be staying. However, I intend to enjoy my time here, and I intend to do it fromthe duke’s chambers. He has given us the freedom of his house and I intend to use it.”
Marlena shook her head. Sometimes there was just no way to make her cousin see reason.
Sneeds looked back up to the men who still stood on the stairs close to the landing and said, “Be off with you to the guest room as you were told and stop tarrying.”
“Now, see here, Sneeds,” Justine said, sternly. “While I am here I will be mistress of this house and you will do well to remember that.”
“I’ve not been informed of that information, either, madam,” he answered quickly. “And until I am, those men are under my command, not yours.”
“We’ll see about that. Furthermore—”
The front door opened. Tut barked and squirmed. Justine stopped mid-sentence as Rath stepped inside, removing his hat as he entered. Marlena knew she’d never tire of seeing him. It was as if something bright shone inside her at the sight of him. She breathed a sigh of relief. He could now handle this situation between Justine and his butler.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Abernathy, Miss Fast, Sneeds.” He nodded to them all as he spoke their names. “I wanted to check in and make sure you’d arrived.”
“And just in time, Your Grace,” Justine said with a satisfied smile.
“Your Grace, let me help you with that,” Sneeds said, reaching for the duke’s cloak.
Rath’s gaze swept back to Marlena and lingered on her face. Tut barked again. “It seems I failed to speak to Tut.” He took the dog from her arms. “And how are you today?” Rath asked. “Are you enjoying sniffing around my house?”
Marlena watched Rath rub Tut’s head and pat hisshoulders and back with firm caring strokes. It pleased her that Rath took the time to give Tut attention.
“I haven’t put him down,” she answered. “We just arrived and we’re not settled yet.”
“And I was just saying to Sneeds,” Justine said, moving to stand between Marlena and the duke, “that I believed you would expect me to make myself comfortable in your chambers while I’m here. Since, of course, you won’t be.”
That wasn’t exactly the way Justine had said it to the butler but Marlena thought it best to stay quiet. Still, she wouldn’t let her cousin obstruct her view of the duke. She moved to the side so she could see him. Rath looked down at Tut again and lightly scratched the dog behind his ears. Tut yawned his pleasure.
“I think perhaps you should inspect all the rooms before you make that decision, Mrs. Abernathy.”
Justine smiled at the duke, and then at Marlena, and lastly at Sneeds before saying, “That’s not necessary, Your Grace. I’m sure yours will be perfect. I should be quite content residing in your chambers.”
“Still, I insist.” Rath nodded to Sneeds. “Show Mrs. Abernathy all the rooms and allow her to choose the one she wants.”
“Allthe rooms?” the butler questioned.
Rath nodded.
“Yes, Your Grace.” The butler stiffly turned to Justine and waved his arm toward the staircase. “After you, Mrs. Abernathy.”
Marlena watched her cousin walk away the victor. “Justine seemed be floating,” Marlena said. “It was very kind of you to give in to her wishes, yet again.”
He shrugged. “It’s a small thing.”
“Maybe for you but not for her. I don’t think she’sforgiven me for not agreeing for us to move into your Mayfair home when we had the chance.”
“Then maybe this will encourage her to look kindly on you once more. Besides, having her look atallthe rooms gives me the opportunity to spend some time alone with you.”
