Page 21 of How Not to Marry a Duke

Warwick nodded once. “You have done an exemplary job, Nelson.”

“But this lady has other ideas?”

Warwick rolled up his shirtsleeve to reveal his freshly bandaged forearm. “Yes.”

As Adeline had promised, the ointment was soothing and hadn’t stung, burned, or caused additional pain. Warwick was willing to continue her treatments for a week or so.

“I see.” His butler’s disapproval was stamped across his face.

“One more thing. I’m expecting Lady Adeline today.” He’d best get the worst over with.

Nelson gaped. “Today? You cannot.”

“Whyever not?”

“The place is not fit, Your Grace.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“It’s not presentable for a lady who is the daughter of an earl, and who is a healer, and who you are courting, Your Grace.” Nelson’s cadence didn’t miss a beat as he managed to cram each of Adeline’s attributes into one sentence.

Warwick settled back in his chair and stared at the man. “I do not see why.”

Nelson’s eyes darted to the worktables spread around the room. A flash of distress crossed his features as he spotted the high-pressure steam engine. “There are mechanical devices and grease and tools and—”

Warwick held up a hand. “I assure you; the lady will not mind.” Adeline’s cottage was, to his mind, in much worse condition. She also seemed like a woman who was more concerned with the state of her medicinal chest than her housekeeping abilities.

Nelson didn’t agree. “With all due respect, Your Grace, every lady would mind.”

Warwick frowned. “Even if you are correct, there is no time for Mrs. Posner and the rest of the staff to move everything.”

As if he had conjured her, Mrs. Posner appeared in the doorway. His housekeeper was a plump elderly woman who had been a loyal member of the Warwick household for as long as he could remember. It took a bit of convincing for her to leave the ducal mansion in town, but she knew Warwick needed her here.

She clearly had heard enough of their conversation, for she clasped her hands to her ample chest in excitement. “You are courting a lady? A daughter of an earl? Your godmother will be happy, Your Grace!”

“Lady Adeline is to arrive today,” Nelson said, his voice dry.

“Today! Oh, my goodness, there is no time to waste.” She tsked as she scanned his workshop. “It cannot be done. It simply cannot be done. She must visit only the parlor. We must get everything in order. Your other work must be removed to this room, Your Grace.”

Warwick was at the end of his patience. He’d forgotten about the mechanical drawings he’d left in the parlor. “Nothing will change!” he roared. “May I remind you that my work is the reason we are here.”

“Yes, but now you are courting an earl’s daughter.” Mrs. Posner spoke as if he were a child who’d snuck into the kitchens to steal a slice of one of Cook’s prized pies and sorely needed a lesson on how dukes were to behave.

Warwick ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. “Lady Adeline knows I’m in Kent to work. She will understand this,” he said as he swept a hand toward the tables holding his tools and machinery.

“I doubt any woman would understand.” Mrs. Posner’s comment echoed Nelson’s.

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell them both that Adeline wouldn’t complain—she didn’t have the luxury. Their courtship was false and entirely for show. He couldn’t admit it, since to make their farce work, they needed to convince everyone, not just Adeline’s half brother and his godmother.

They needed to convince the world.

Chapter Five

“I need your help, my lady.”

Adeline had opened the door later that afternoon to find a middle-aged woman from the village wringing her hands, a look of distress creasing her brow. Hasmik stood by her side.

“How can I aid you?” Adeline asked.