Page 26 of Reforming Lord Ragsdale
He watched her, noting how her rich auburn hair was coming loose from the knot she wore it in, and how her eyes closed occasionally.You slept on the stairs last night, he thought,and I was glad. That was a bit churlish of me, no matter how pointed my dislike. And yes, yes, you are quite right, although I will never tell you. I’m not having much fun these days.
“You think I should give up Fae?” he asked, keeping his voice offhand.
Emma nodded and rubbed her eyes.
“I’ll consider it,” he said. “Go to bed, Emma. You’re about nine-tenths worthless right now.”
She left the room without another comment. He sat down in the chair she had vacated and looked at her neat list and the column of money owed. He totaled it up in his head, going from page to page, all the while thinking of David Breedlow, chained to the wall in Newgate.I could have loaned him twenty pounds, he thought.I could have concerned myself with his family’s trials. I could have behaved as my father would have behaved. Why didn’t I?
He yanked off his eye patch and threw it on the desk, rubbing his forehead. “Blast the Irish,” he said, remembering his last view of his father before he stumbled, fell back, and disappeared in a clatter of pikes and swords. “And blast you, Emma Costello, you and all your murderous Irish relations.”
Lord Ragsdale went to bed, longing for at least a glass of sherry, and determined to throw a boot at Emma if she tried to bother him before noon. To his dismay, he woke up at nine, alert, hungry, and ready to go another round with Emma Costello. Hanley, who seemed to have appointed himself valet, brought him tea and stayed to help him shave and dress. He smelled ham and bacon and followed his noseto the breakfast room, where his mother and cousin were just finishing.
Lady Ragsdale looked at him in amazement and then took out her little pocket watch and tapped it. “Are you just coming in, John?” she asked finally as he filled a plate from the sideboard.
Lord Ragsdale had the good grace to laugh. “Mama, you know I am not! I think everyone ought to eat breakfast occasionally.” He peered at the scrambled eggs and found that they did not disgust him. “So chickens still lay eggs?”
Lady Ragsdale laughed. “How clever of them!” She glanced at Sally. “My dear, perhaps we can importune your cousin into escorting us to the modiste for a male opinion as we attempt a wardrobe for you.”
Oh, please, not that, he thought as he took a bite of scrambled eggs. He wanted to chew awhile and give himself time to think up an excuse, but eggs did not require that sort of exertion. To his relief, Emma came to his rescue yet again. He swallowed and smiled at his mother.
“My dear, you will think me a dreadful put-off, but Emma and I must visit the bank today. You should see how neatly she has the bills organized.”
To his relief, his mother did not press the matter. “Very well, son, we will excuse you again.” She looked at her niece. “Come, Sally, let us see what damage we can do by ourselves. Our bills will be yours, John, so if you wish an opinion on how we spend your money, this is your last chance.”
Lord Ragsdale finished his eggs and waved his hand in a generous gesture. “Just give the bills to Emma when they come in. I’m sure she will have a file for everything.” He took a sip of tea as his mother rose from the table. “Mama, you can do something for me at the modiste’s.”
His mother turned wary eyes in his direction, and he thought again about Emma’s advice that he discard his mistress. “Could you order a warm cloak for Emma? Make itdark brown and serviceable. No telling when spring will actually arrive this year.”
“A fur collar? Silk frogs?” his mama teased.
Mama, if you had seen her shivering in Newgate, you wouldn’t quiz me, he considered thoughtfully. “Oh, no. The key word is serviceable. Now that I think of it, perhaps a wool dress too. Something with a lace collar.” He glanced at Sally, who was regarding him with astonishment. “She’s about your size, isn’t she, my dear?”
Sally nodded, too surprised at his unexpected generosity to speak.
“Well, there’s your template, Mama. Cousin, if you don’t mind the observation, she’s a bit thinner in the waist and shorter by an inch or two. Make that two dresses, Mama. A secretary ought to have a change of clothing.”
He was still smiling as his mother left the room.I should have asked her to pick out a bonnet too, he thought.Careless of me. I wonder if Fae could be induced to part with some of those gloves I have been buying for her. I mean, a body only has two hands.He got up for another cinnamon bun and stood eating it by the sideboard.No, no. Too much at once might make Emma think I had declared a truce or something. She can do without gloves and bonnet.
Feeling pleasantly full, Lord Ragsdale strolled to the book room, where Emma was gathering the bound bills into a satchel.
She looked up and smiled at him.
“Good morning, sir,” she said and continued her business. “If we get these to the bank and straighten out your affairs, I promise not to bother you for the rest of the day.”
He raised his eyebrows at her and helped pack the bills.
“Emma, why the magnanimity? Can it be that you have a heart?”
“Of course I do,” she replied promptly. “I also intend to retrieve your balance books from the banker and spend the afternoon making entries.” She closed the satchel.
“I have a better idea,” he said, taking the satchel from her. “I want you to visit Fae Moullé and see how the wind blows.”
“My lord!” she exclaimed, unable to hide her dismay.
Aha, he thought,I surprised you.He waited a moment until he was sure he would not smile and then continued. “I have been thinking about what you said. Perhaps it is time she and I ended our arrangement. I want you to see what terms would be agreeable. It is your duty as my secretary,” he added, when that now-familiar obstinate expression settled on her face.
“Very well, my lord,” Emma said, and the doubt in her voice made him want to shout, “Got you!” He did not. Just the knowledge that he had ruffled her equanimity was pleasure enough for the moment.
