Page 4 of A Lady's Curves
“If you’ll give me their addresses, I’ll write to them on your behalf and see if some arrangements can be made. I assume you’re able to compensate them, as well as a few more maids and a lady’s maid for the young miss.” Ann continued her direct regard.
Some people are intimidated by my size and growly demeanor. Ann is not among them. As far as I can tell, my presence does not affect her at all and it’s damned frustrating. “I am fully solvent. I know it seems as if I’m inept, but that’s not entirely true.”
Her hands are neatly folded in her lap. Her peach day dress hasn’t a single wrinkle. She came with no lady’s maid, so how is she always perfect? “What do you do in Scotland?”
“I beg your pardon?” How does she know about Scotland?
“Your sister lamented your time there and you alsomentioned it when we first met. I wondered what attracts you to that house so much that you neglected your other properties.” There’s no judgment in her questions, only curiosity.
“I enjoy the quiet of Bielddubh. I’m working on an experiment to see if blending crops can make them unpalatable for insects yet maintain the taste for humans to enjoy. I have many other scientific experiments ongoing there as well.” This is the point where most people’s eyes glaze over.
Ann’s brighten. “That’s fascinating. Did you make any progress?”
“Some. Though not as much as I’d hoped for.” I keep it vague as I’ve learned that boring people with my theories only sends them away faster. For some reason, I don’t want Ann to go away.
“I’d like to hear more about it, but perhaps you’d better show me the bookkeeping records for the houses. Do you have all three here?”
“I brought everything from Bielddubh, and of course, this house’s records are available. I didn’t have time to go to Kensfield Manor. We’ll have to make a trip there at some point.” I have arguments ready for her rebuke. I expect she’ll refuse to travel with me out of London or run back to Everton House immediately.
Nodding, Ann smiles. “Let’s have a look at what you have.”
I go to the desk, and she follows. I pull two stacks of books and papers from the lower drawer and place them on the desk. “Would you like to work here? I can occupy myself elsewhere if you wish.”
“That’s fine, my lord. At some point, I may have questions.” She sits in my father’s chair, and I think it suits her better than it ever did me.
There’s something about her that soothes me. My time in London has always felt rushed, as I wished to be anywhere else.Suddenly, the family house doesn’t feel as daunting as it has in the past.
Perhaps I should do what other men of my rank do and go to the gentleman’s club. Or I could help in the gardens, which are the only part of this house still functioning as they should. Instead, I take a book from the shelf and sit near the hearth. Ann might have questions for me. I should be available to her.
Thirty minutes pass before I realize the book is about parliamentary law. As I have not filled my father’s seat, it’s not interesting. I should change my ways and be a better, more normal earl. The very thought makes me nauseous.
Head down, Ann turns page after page. She organizes and makes notes as I watch from the other side of the room.
When she looks up, she catches me staring at her. “You didn’t mention that Mr. Bellston ran off with more than the maid, my lord. He appropriated quite a bit of your money as well.”
It’s not as if I thought she wouldn’t find it. I just hoped she’d ignore it and move on. “It’s irrelevant to the job I wish you to do, Miss Wittman.”
She folds her forearms at the edge of the desk which pushes her breasts up to the point where I worry for the ability of her frock to contain them.
My discomfort grows, and I adjust my seat to ensure she can’t detect my state.
After a moment, she cocks her head. “You don’t intend to recover those funds or make the man pay for his crime against you?”
“No. That would mean all of England knowing he’d played me for a fool.” My gut knots, but at least my arousal has faded.
“I suppose pride is an excuse for letting a thief get away with so much money, but it’s not a good one. You leave this manout in society where he can hurt other unsuspecting people.” Her cheeks get rosy, but her expression remains calm.
The longer I look at her, the more I wonder if this arrangement is a good idea. I could call Lady Jane Everton and tell her that as bright as Miss Wittman is, she cannot come to my house. Last night I drank enough to fall asleep and not think of her down the hall. I can’t behave like that every night. Perhaps if she were disdainful toward me, my desire would wane. “I shall let those other people deal with their own problems. It is not my function to rescue the world.”
Her adorable chin wrinkles before she returns her attention to the pages on the desk. “Your point is taken, my lord.”
“Once we’ve hired a proper lady’s maid for Louisa, I think it would be better if you lived at Everton House and worked here as needed. I’m sure that would be more suitable for you as well as for me. Having a stranger in the house all the time isn’t advisable in this day of shysters and thieves.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I wish them back in.
As if the world has slowed, Ann closes the account book and lifts her gaze to mine. “Perhaps you are right. It will be strange to have a governess who doesn’t live in your home, but I shall think of something to explain that away should anyone ask.”
The eyes that I admired for the last hour have turned cold. She despises me and I deserve it. I wanted this and I can see that I’m getting exactly what I asked for. So, why does my chest ache as if someone even larger than me threw a bag of grain on top of it? I should be happy. If she hates me, all temptation is removed.
I’ve never been more miserable in my life. “I’m certain you will conjure a believable story.”
