Page 26 of A Duke Changes Everything
From what she could tell, Nicholas Lyon was a man who anticipated the worst. Of Enderley, and perhaps of people too. Why not defy his expectations? Surely he could be brought around to seeing value in the estate, its staff, and the tenants.
“We should welcome him.” Mina sought out Hildy’s wide-eyed gaze. “Which will mean not shrieking when we encounter him in the halls.”
The girl tipped her head down and gave a sheepish nod.
“’Tis not her fault he looks a fright,” Tobias said defensively.
“Looks all right to me,” Emma murmured. “Striking, I’d say, with that dark hair and pale eyes.”
“The broadest shoulders I’ve ever seen. Never known a man to fill a suit as he does,” Mrs. Scribb admitted with a sniff. “Cuts an imposing figure, our master.”
“I could sharpen my knife on the edge of his cheekbones.” Mrs. Darley’s voice carried from across the room.
“His mouth—” Mina caught herself. Some instinct kept her from complete mortification, because none of her thoughts about Nicholas Lyon’s mouth were ladylike or proper. “It’s quite well made.”
Hildy giggled. “I do think he has pretty lips, that I’ll admit.”
“My hair’s dark.” Tobias planted his chin on his fist and glanced miserably at Emma.
Mina tried steering them back to the topic at hand. “If the man has a dim view of Enderley, let’s show him otherwise.”
“How?” Mrs. Darley called from the table where she stood peeling vegetables. “Repairs are needed, more staff, and a good deal more in the kitchen budget if we’re to fill the larders and feed him as a duke ought to be fed.”
Adding more funds to the household budget was on the list of all Mina intended to ask of the new duke, but first she had to earn the man’s trust. “I intend to speak to him about our concerns, Mrs. Darley.”
“Whether we treat him like a king or a foe, he’s master now.” Mrs. Scribb adjusted the collection of keys at her hip and nodded as if she’d decided on a course of action. “We’ll endure him as we have all the others. I’ve outlived two dukes. Wonder how long this one will last.”
“Hope he goes quicker than his brother,” Tobias grumbled. When Emma gasped, he managed a brief expression of contrition. “I only meant to London. ’Spect he wants to go back to his gambling club. Word is it’s quite grand.”
“We shouldn’t wish him away just yet,” Mina insisted. When he went back to the city, he’d be even less inclined to consider Enderley. “We need to keep him here as long as we can. We need him to invest in the estate if it’s to survive.”
“Not to mention the list of villagers who’ll want to see him and come with their complaints,” Mrs. Scribb said knowingly. Despite how much time she spent doing her duties as housekeeper with diligence, she seemed to know everyone in Barrowmere and every bit of gossip that festered in the village.
“Perhaps we should hold them off awhile.” Wilder, who’d sat listening quietly, stood, gnarled hands gripping the back of his chair. “Let him get used to the place again before we heap on other troubles.”
“A very good idea.” Mina nodded in agreement.
There were so many troubles. She knew each one as if the list in her office had been etched in her mind. And more always came. That was the one certainty about her work as steward. Trouble might be as small as a broken tile or as a large as a wounded horse, but dilemmas popped up at the estate every day.
“In that case,” Emma said, picking up a tray filled with covered dishes, “I should take his breakfast up to him.”
Mina glanced at the watch pinned to the gown she’d donned instead of her comfortable well-worn shirt. “Did we not send it up yet?”
“Told her to wait,” Mrs. Scribb said as she headed toward the small anteroom she used as an office. “Expected him to ring like his father used to do.”
“I don’t think we can expect him to behave like his father. Or his brother. He may have been born here, but he’s been away for two decades.”
“He was never reared to take the title.” Wilder squared his tall, thin frame and cleared his throat. “Perhaps it’s up to us to show him the way.”
Mina smiled at the older man who’d become as dear to her as her own father. He was a voice of reason when she sorely needed one. “He respects you, Wilder. Will you help me?”
“Of course I will.” He cast a bemused glance around at the other staff members. “And help ensure that none of the others poison him.” He shot a knowing wink at Mrs. Darley. “The duchess, God rest her, once charged me with protecting that young man as if he were my own. I’ve no quibble with seeing to what’s best for him now.”
Mina looked at Wilder, wondering what he knew about the child who’d become a seemingly intractable man. If Wilder was convinced the new duke could grow into his role, then she felt hopeful too. She’d have to ask him more about Nicholas Lyon’s short history at Enderley.
A few minutes later, the clatter of metal and porcelain drew Mina’s gaze. Emma nearly lost her grip on the full breakfast tray before setting it on the kitchen table.
“He didn’t want his breakfast?”
