Page 48 of To Tempt a Troubled Earl
Ye gods, they were having a normal conversation. “Orange. Thank you.” Now was not the time for jasmine; his meeting with Gartside required his full concentration. “Do you miss Rossingley?”
With a fingertip, Jasper tested the sharpness of the blade and gave a satisfied nod. On a silent prayer, Kit shut his eyes tight. “Can’t wait to get back. London folk aren’t to my liking.”
“You include me in their number, I’ll wager.” Kit grinned. “I daresay you’re looking forward to leaving me and this valeting behind, too, getting back to your old job.”
As Jasper scraped the blade with more care than he ever had before across Kit’s sensitive, bruised flesh, he let out a mirthless laugh. “Leaving you behind? Fat chance of that. Not if his lordship’s got anything to do with it.”
“My home is here in London,” answered Kit, puzzled. “You’ve seen it. You’ve seen how straitened my circumstances are. Thus, you understand as well as I that I do not have the luxury of swanning about the countryside as the guest of an earl. No.” He shook his head, earning a glare from Jasper. “I shall find another set of suitable lodgings when all this Gartside business is over and seek gainful employ.”
Jasper scoffed, dipping the blade into soapy water. “Lodgings? You won’t be going back to living in them again. In your shoes, I’d get out of London.”
He had a point. “Maybe I’ll go to Kent,” Kit argued sulkily. “l know the area well. I’ll be sure to find suitable employ after this has died down. His lordship will surely give me references of good standing.”
Patting his chin with a soft towel, Jasper shook his head. “There’s a fair few miles between Kent and Rossingley. My lord won’t allow it.”
“He is notmylord.” Indeed, Lando had said so himself. Kit jerked his head to glare at Jasper. “I am at liberty to go where I like.”
Jasper jerked him back towards the light again, his strong fingers clamped around Kit’s chin. “You’ll be coming with us,” he growled in a tone brooking no disagreement. “For good. He’ll kidnap you if he has to. Mark my words.”
*
“WHAT THE BLAZEShas happened to you?”
Gartside strode into the library as if he owned it. Kit grimaced. So much for poor lighting. They exchanged polite nods, Kit’s cracked ribs protesting at a hearty clap on the shoulder. With his legs still a little shaky, he gratefully fell back into a chair.
“Took a tumble from that grey mare,” he explained, his eyes darting to Jasper in attendance by the door. Staring straight ahead, the footman was a model of subservience. “Damned creature was spooked by a passing stage.”
Gartside harrumphed, taking up a stance by the window. Though his seated position put Kit at a disadvantage, it was preferable to swooning at the odious man’s feet. A sheen coated Gartside’s brow, and he dabbed at it with a white handkerchief. Kit smiled to himself; he wasn’t the only one beset by nerves.
“I’d wager a man in your position doesn’t have the leisure or blunt to properly understand quality horseflesh. Wouldn’t mind riding that prime bit of blood myself.” With his hands clasped behind his back, Gartside examined Kit down his nose before turning back to the window.
“No, sir,” Kit agreed. The man really was utterly loathsome. “A deep regret, but a consequence of one’s station in life, which one must bear with stoicism.”
“Quite.”
There was a pregnant pause, during which Kit had the distinct impression Gartside, staring out into the park, was building himself up. Unless he had a particular fascination for linden trees.
“Rossingley has returned from his trip, I assume?”
“He has,” Kit confirmed. “In good spirits. If you wish for further information from him regarding his proposition, perhaps I could send Jasper here to enquire as to his whereabouts?”
Indisposed to visitors, Lando was taking a leisurely scented bath, which Kit planned on interrupting as soon as Gartside left. “He is keen to have this business wrapped up so he may return to the country.”
“His presence won’t be necessary,” said Gartside in a clipped tone. “I’m sure you are perfectly capable of furnishing me with what I need.”
Another delicate pause followed, during which Gartside’s fists flexed. Kit exchanged another glance with Jasper. Since his beating, he found the man’s presence reassuring.
“And may I enquire as to what might that be, Sir Ambrose?”
Apparently satisfied with the foliage outside the window, Kit’s visitor turned his attention towards Kit. “Yes, you may.” He wiped a fat finger across his damp upper lip. “I understand you have the ear of Castlereagh, the Foreign Secretary.”
“Yes,” confirmed Kit, schooling his features into the solemn countenance of a man who did indeed spend his days advising Parliament how best to conduct a portion of its import and export affairs. “When he travels north.”
“And of Rossingley too.”
Kit nodded gravely. “I do not wish to appear immodest, but yes, these past few weeks his lordship has leaned quite heavily on my thoughts and experience.”
And on other parts of him too.
