Page 74 of The Good Duke
“What, Pruitt?” he snapped.
“Introductions, old chap,” Lord Pruitt spoke in barely there tones.
“That won’t be necessary,” Simon said.
Persephone’s entire body tensed, and the previous grin on Lord Pruitt’s face faded to a glare to match any of Simon’s darkest ones. “Hey now, chap,” he chided.
Simon remained mutinously silent.
Of course, because whywoulda duke introduce a mere servant to a nobleman? Persephone knew her place in the world. She’d just…not expected Simon would so pointedly remind her of that.
Seemingly unbothered by that ducal display of pique, Lord Pruitt returned his focus to Persephone. Gone was all hint of his earlier annoyance; in its place was the same charming smile he’d donned the moment she entered the room.
“Given your lack of manners and irascibility, Greystoke, you are beyond fortunate to have Miss Forsyth in your employ.”
Simon’s scowl deepened.
The tall, dark gentleman proved notably impervious. So much so, he cupped a hand about his mouth and spoke in a wily whisper. “It is a certainty there’d be no ladies clamoring at the bit for this surly thingumabob.”
Persephone attempted to suppress an unexpected wave of mirth and converted what would have surely been a laugh into a snorting giggle that she buried in the form of a cough.
Lord Pruitt flashed another one of those winks that had surely led to any number of broken hearts. Hers, however, had already been broken by a similarly charming fellow, and, as such, she remained immune to not only this man, but all men.
She looked to Simon once more and found him wearing his usual scowl.
He believes I’m laughing at him.
And knowing him so very well—or having known him so very well—Persephone was cognizant of just how much her perceived response would chafe. Nor would she have Simon believe she was sharing quips with his scoundrel of a friend.
“Forgive me,” she demurred. “I—”
“Given Greystoke has gone quiet, and you and I are otherwise the only ones present, I believe we are free to take some liberties and get those pleasantries over and done with, my dear?”
He flashed another quick wink.
Despite herself, Persephone’s lips twitched. “I do not think that is how it works in terms of propriety, my lord.”
“Do notthink?” He waggled his eyebrows. “Or do notbelieve? Because those areverydifferent things, my dear.”
“Believe,” she said, her earlier disquiet gone under the playful banter. “It is, however, unladylike for a lady to school a gentleman on any matter.”
“Ah, but if I’m not mistaken, with your clarification, isn’t that what you did just now?”
She nodded.
He stared at her with a question in his eyes.
Persephone clarified. “I’m unable to stay silent when I, in fact, know I’m correct.” She sighed. “It is my weakness, my lord.”Among many others.
Lord Pruitt went absolutely motionless, then, tossing back his head, he howled with laughter.
“You, my dear, are a treasure,” he said after his hilarity had abated.
She’d also heard that before too.
“Miss Forsyth,” Simon barked.
Persephone and Lord Pruitt whipped their gazes back to Simon.
