Jacob’s mouth twisted into a knot and Leonard instantly tensed. The Duke suspected he knew precisely what had created such a pinched expression on the servant’s face. There was only one person he knew who could instil such immediate disdain among the staff.
Miss Priscilla has come calling.
“Miss Priscilla is here, is she not?” he sighed knowingly before Jacob could respond. His eyes rose nervously and he nodded quickly. Leonard could read the apology in his eyes although it had little to do with the butler. If Jacob had enlisted an army, they would likely be unable to stop the insistent Priscilla Arquette. Leonard exhaled slowly and steeled himself against the ire racing through his veins. There was little he could do but accept her call. He knew she would not cease until Leonard had granted her an audience. Idly he questioned if the Baron’s daughter had bothered the staff daily, demanding information on his return. It would not have surprised Leonard in the least if she had. Priscilla was nothing if not persistent.
“See her inside. I suggest you boil more water for the bath. It will be ice cold by the time she leaves.”
If she ever leaves,Leonard added silently to himself. The servant did not respond but he had no doubt Jacob was smiling and Leonard wondered if they had not shared the same thought. Ridding himself of Priscilla was never an easy feat. Jacob scurried away to abide by his wish and Leonard turned swiftly to the crystal decanters. He filled up a glass to the brim, and sipped back the scotch, embracing the burn it created in his gut. He knew he would need all the extra strength he could muster to deal with the impending arrival. If it needed to be through the drink, so be it.
“Your Grace!” Priscilla cried through the doorway, Jacob arriving slightly behind her. “You have returned!”
Without warning, the younger woman flung herself into his arms and bowled him back into the matte wood of his desk, the shrill tone of her voice reverberating through his tired skull.
“Miss Priscilla” he sighed. “You seem well.”
He managed to sidestep the brazen grip of her arms by a fraction and looked at his butler in shock. Jacob’s face mimicked the disgust he was feeling.
How can this woman have such fine breeding and yet her manners are abhorrent? She behaves like a feral cat.
Leonard suspected it had much to do with how her father, a baron, spoiled her endlessly. Priscilla was no better than an over-indulged baby, despite her age of nineteen. She was a comely woman but a bore who had nothing of value to add to any conversation.
“I have missed you terribly!” Priscilla gushed. “Why have you not written?”
Leonard smiled thinly but he had no doubt that his lack of patience was lost on the Baron’s daughter.
“I was much consumed with duties,” he lied. “And the mails are slow.”
He dared not speak the truth in the matter, that he had all but forgotten about her on his travels. It was not a hard feat to accomplish, despite her brash presence. Leonard considered that perhaps his small holiday had been to forsake the memory of Priscilla, also.
However short-lived that dream may have been.
Leonard eyed her expectantly.
“Why have you come, Miss Priscilla? I have pressing matters waiting which require my attention.”
He cast Jacob a meaningful look, one meant to remind him to boil more water. The butler understood at once, bowed and moved away with more speed than usual.
Miss Priscilla does create unease among everyone in her midst,he thought wryly.Even the most seasoned servants long to run from her path.
“I have come every day since you left, praying that I will see your face,” she explained, her body too close for his own comfort. He flashed her a wan smile.
“How thoughtful,” he muttered. “I daresay, this is not an opportune time.”
“Of course, Your Grace. I will be on my way, elated to know you are home from your travels. Shall I return this afternoon?”
“Whatever for?” Leonard heard himself ask before he could stop the words but as usual, she did not seem to hear the exasperation in his tone. Leonard wondered if it was done deliberately, ignoring his subtle pleas. He could not fathom that anyone could be so blitheringly oblivious otherwise.
“Your Grace, your cleverness never ceases to amuse me,” she cooed, the sugar in her tone giving Leonard chills of disgust. “I do adore how you jest with me.”
He managed to maintain the pleasant expression on his face although his aggravation was only mounting. Leonard did wish Priscilla would say what she had come for and be on her way.
“Forgive me, Miss Priscilla. I fear I am quite fatigued following my journey. Why do you require an audience with me? Is it not a matter which can wait for another time?”
Perhaps a month or two?He thought hopefully, knowing well that he would never be free of Priscilla for such a great length of time. For the first time, Priscilla detected the irritation in his tone. Her expression became one of petulance and she stepped back, her blue eyes flashing with annoyance of her own.
“Youarejesting with me, are you not, Your Grace?” she demanded, a look of hurt coloring her face. “Surely you know what it is I require from you.”
Again, Leonard shook his head, resisting the urged to seize her by the shoulders and rattle the answer from her.
