Page 15 of Plucked By the Orc

“This year, the event falls on the same day as the celebration in honor of Saint Valentine.”

“That’s in ten days, it is,” Iris cried, “Impossible.”

“How so? It is rather soon after Christmastide, but she holds it before the Prince Regent takes his residence in London. So as not to detract from the balls in the spring.”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it! It will be impossible formeto be ready.”

“It is not impossible,” Duncan insisted. “Didn’t I say I only needed a fortnight to make you a lady? This speeds things along by mere days. We shall refine your elocution forthwith and work on your posture.”

“What’s wrong with my form?”

“Not your form, madam. Your posture. There is nothing wrong with your form.”

He passed a hand over his mouth and looked her over before averting his gaze and staring at his own enormous feet. Iris heard a faint growl, a low humming that sparked a thrilling flutter deep inside her, but surely she’d imagined such a sound.

“We must ensure that you carry yourself in a manner befitting your newly refined patterns of speech,” Duncan said gruffly. “Fortunately, you have proven you’ve no shortage of intelligenceand wits. I think your conversation shall be good enough with a few minor tweaks.”

“And a new gown. I’ll need such for this to-do. Don’t forget that part, if you please.”

His impressive brow creased. “You are determined to make the most of this situation, Miss Gabbert.”

“Gah! That ain’t nice. I’m merely abiding by the terms of our agreement.” Even as irritation wiggled through her stomach, it lived alongside a stronger sensation altogether. For all that his comment vexed her, she couldn’t look away from his mug, admiring the strong line of his jaw. His face certainly had character, it did. Almost handsome, in a way.

“‘Gah?’” Duncan Higgins looked perplexed. “You keep using that phrase? What does that mean?”

“It means listen here, kitten. I don’t care about your ‘eaps of galena for silver and them pretty lookin’ sapphires and whatever else you lot have stored in your treasure chests up in the north. I need you to treat me like an equal, not some stray you rescued from the street.” She nodded back in the direction the cat had run off. “No offense meant to Boudica.”

“None taken on her part, I’m sure.”

She chuckled at that before realizing Duncan Higgins had intended it in complete seriousness.

“The point is I’m asking for a fine gown within perfect reason, I am.” She deepened her voice and shortened her vowels as he did. “‘A proper gown in the latest style is what you need, Miss Gabbert.’ You said as much yourself.”

“Once again, you seem determined to make light of my demeanor. And I have not forgotten what I said.”

“Then why not treat it with seriousness, why don’t you?”

“I assure you I treat this request with the utmost seriousness.”

He had her there. She couldn’t imagine his grace being anything but serious. “And I’m saying that I intend to reimburse you for every penny you spend on me. You was only to pay—”

“Wereonly to pay.”

“—were only to pay for my rent and room and board as compensation for my lost wages. That’s it. I’m responsible for everything else. I just need your help for the present.”

He let out a long breath. “Have you any clue how much that will cost?”

“I said I’ll reimburse you, and I will once I’m set up in a shop. We can work out a schedule of payments in your ledger.”

“You are a woman of business, then.”

“I’m a woman who knows what I want. You have some problem with that?”

He raised his colossal hands. The claws had retracted into the skin between his fingers.

“I am accustomed to women who know with strong minds.”

“At least we understand one another, then.”

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