Page 27 of An Innocent Maid for the Duke
Rose stiffened. Looked uncomfortable.
Jake had the urge to stand between her and his grandmother’s probing questions, but it would not do. If she could not stand up for herself, then her grandmother would dismiss her as missish.
Grandmama’s eyes narrowed. ‘I beg your pardon, my dear. I do not wish to pry. I was merely curious.’
Rose drew in a breath. ‘I know nothing at all.’ From her pocket she drew out a little pouch. A needle case that looked as if it had been stitched by a child. She unfolded it and brought forth a broken mother-of-pearl button.
‘I have this half-token. But no one returned to claim me.’
Grandmama’s eyes swam with tears for a brief instant. So brief, Jake thought he might have been mistaken and Rose did not see it at all, since she was busy tucking away her treasures. At the thought of her always being alone in the world his throat felt deucedly tight.
Grandmama sipped at her tea, her expression thoughtful.
Rose handed him his cup. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. He took a mouthful. Perfect. He glanced at his grandmother over the rim. ‘Well, Your Grace. What do you think? Will you accept Miss Nightingale as a companion? Knowing someone is keeping an eye on you will relieve my mind of a worry while I toil away at the mountain of paperwork on my desk.’
Rose kept her gaze firmly fixed on her hands in her lap. She had not touched her tea. Clearly she expected rejection.
Grandmama shot him a glance. ‘Highly recommended I think you said, Jacob.’
‘Very highly recommended.’
‘By a relative of your mother’s? One you have confidence in?’
‘Indeed.’
Grandmama smiled. ‘Miss Nightingale, do you think you can bear the company of a crotchety old lady day after day?’
Jakes shoulders felt suddenly a great deal lighter.
Rose’s jaw dropped. ‘You actually want me to be your companion? Surely some lady of rank would be better suited—’
‘A lady of rank would likely drive me to distraction within a week,’ Grandmother said. ‘Sniffing about each request. Complaining about lost advantages. Tippling at the brandy when she thinks I am not looking.’
Jaw dropping, Rose looked at him for confirmation.
‘Her Grace is right,’ he said lazily, casually. ‘Cousin Susan, before she went home to her mother, was always half-seas over. It was why Grandmama sent her packing.’
‘That wasn’t the half of it,’ Grandmama said. ‘I caught her snooping about in my correspondence. Not something Miss Nightingale would be about, I am sure.’
Rose shook her head.
‘And you won’t be stealing the silverware either, I’ll be bound.’
‘Grandmama!’
‘Well, that nurse you hired certainly did.’ She adjusted the shawl over her shoulders with a little twitch at the fabric. ‘I’m missing one of your grandfather’s snuffboxes. His favourite, to boot.’
‘Perhaps it is simply misplaced,’ Rose said with a placating smile.
‘Perhaps,’ Grandmama admitted. ‘And perhaps you will help me find it. That is, if you will accept the position?’
Rose’s eyes widened.
Jake watched with bated breath as she considered the offer. Finally she nodded slowly. ‘Yes. I will, Thank you. Thank you both. I will do my very best to please.’ Rose smiled. It was bright and happy and hopeful. It came from within and seemed to shove warmth at the cold empty feeling in Jake’s chest.
‘Excellent,’ Grandmama said, beaming. ‘Jake, you will inform the staff and have Miss Nightingale taken up to her room. The same one Cousin Susan used. Once she is settled, she and I will go through Eleanor’s wardrobe and see what clothes are suitable for making over.’
It seemed Grandmama had found a project. She already looked brighter than she had for weeks.
