Page 44 of A Foolish Flirtation

Jeremy deduced that the duke’s sister had fallen short somehow in Colfax’s estimation of what constituted a “real lady.” Colfax had a strange attitude when it came to that sort of thing, which sat at odd variance with his usual attitude in life.

For instance, Jeremy knew full well his footman had been raised in an East End slum and had had several brushes with the law before he had entered Jeremy’s service. At the time he had hired him, he had not considered this a disadvantage, for it was useful to have a man who could back him up in a tight spot.

Living the life Jeremy had in his twenties, it had been a decided bonus to have a footman who could comfortably deal with whatever debt collectors or enraged husbands turned up at his bachelor rooms demanding an audience.

Those were the days before he had succeeded to his father’s title and estate. In those days, Jeremy had existed on an allowance which often did not stretch the whole month. During that time, Colfax had been an invaluable member of his household; ingenious and resourceful, he had ensured the lines of credit were extended until the bills could be paid.

If not for Colfax, Jeremy would have lived half the month without candles for light or coal for the fire. It was true, he did not much care about the empty cupboards, for he could reasonably exist on the invitations out to dine, but no doubt his valet and coachman had appreciated the fact they were fed and watered on a daily basis.

Then had come his disastrous marriage, and Colfax had really proved he was worth his salt. For he had not liked Amanda. Moreso, the handsome footman had proved entirely impervious to Amanda’s alluring beauty. His dislike had been covered at all times with a veneer of politeness, but even Amanda, arrogant as she was, could not fail to pick up on it.

In the beginning, Jeremy had thought it might prove a problem, for she had believed Colfax a challenge to overcome. She had turned the full force of her charm on the footman, showering him with her attention, flattery, and trusted confidences.

When this did not move him, she had been by turn teasing and then coldly aloof. It made no difference. Colfax was indifferent and would not partake in her games. Mercifully at this point, Amanda had decided to be amused by it all. She called Colfax a puritan. She talked loudly of his disapproval of her in front of her friends, and they all laughed about it. She wanted him to dance with her when she was drunk.

It had been at this point that Jeremy had become aware of Colfax’s strange feeling on the matter, for he had asked him outright. Did he want to leave his service? Were things becoming too much for him, now Jeremy’s living arrangements had changed? No, and no. Then, in a lowered tone, did he loathe his mistress?

Colfax had cleared his throat. It was not his place to judge Lady Amanda’s character. Jeremy had insisted. “Indulge me this one time. I won’t dismiss you for a little plain speaking just this once.” Colfax had been silent for such a long moment that Jeremy had almost given up on a response, when he had said quietly, “She ain’t no lady, not as I see it. Not in the real sense of the word. Not how it counts.”

And that had been when Jeremy had found out Colfax’s peculiarity. Despite being rough around the edges himself, he liked respectable women, not fast ones. Amanda could throw her arms around his neck, half spilling out of her gown, demand he carry her to her bedchamber and ravish her, and Colfax would always respond with the utmost restraint and correctness. Hell, she could have danced naked in front of him, and Colfax would not have batted an eyelash.

It had been an astonishing revelation. Jeremy was not a fool. He knew Amanda had made a play for his closest friend Atherton, just as he knew Atherton had rejected her. However, Atherton would have done so out of a sense of loyalty to him, while Colfax had not even been tempted.

For a man who had been forced to lose at least one friend, a couple of acquaintances, and even his son’s tutor over his wife’s affairs, his footman’s disdain was a breath of fresh air. It had cemented Colfax’s position of importance with him.

Jeremy had increased his already generous wages, secure in the knowledge he need not feel unduly concerned when Amanda made another of her scenes. It was not a case of Colfax remembering his position, or where his duty lay. He simply was not attracted to her.

They were walking through the house now; Jeremy noted the neatly packed trunks and cases piled in the hallway. Colfax clearly had their move to Cornwall well underway.

“That Nurse Jopling’s left already,” Colfax commented as Jeremy started up the stairs.

Jeremy swung back around. “So early?”

“Her next post is in Hampshire, so she was eager to be off.”

“Ah, well, I don’t think Teddy will miss her somehow. They never seemed to really hit it off.”

Colfax mounted the stairs after him, clearing his throat. “Is that Miss Pinson going to be Master Edward’s new nurse?” he enquired, adding with just a trace of self-consciousness, “If I might make so bold as to ask.”

Jeremy sent a quick look at Colfax’s carefully blank face. Who had taught him that piece of politeness? Maybe it had been Garraway. The butler at Vance Park was always at pains to smooth Colfax’s rougher edges.

“Well, I’m hoping he is now well enough to dispense with a nurse altogether,” he answered. “Miss Pinson is an experienced governess, so the idea is that she can tutor him until I have decided what to do about his schooling.”

Colfax looked skeptical and Jeremy could not really blame him. It must be two years since Teddy attended Paverton Hall. Jeremy had not wanted to send him to boarding school in the first place, and when an outbreak of tuberculosis had occurred, he had likely been the first parent to send for his child’s return.

Teddy was young for his age, he had told himself. Then, too, with his parents’ divorce, scarlet fever, and now his remarriage, the boy had had a lot to contend with.

“He’ll run rings round her,” Colfax predicted gruffly.

“Most likely,” Jeremy agreed. “But as I say, it will be little more than an interim measure.”

“And then what?”

Jeremy halted before his bedroom door. Colfax was being surprisingly tiresome this morning. “As I said,” he responded irritably. “It’ll be a case of either a new school or tutor.”

“I meant for her,” Colfax said, glancing away.

“What?” Jeremy was startled.