Page 94 of The Viscount's Seduction
Her voice cracked on the last words and she turned away, shaking out the brown gown while Sirena pulled on her nightrail.
A tremor went through Sirena. ’Twas more of that gift springing up, and not her own with the horses, but her mother and Gram’s. Meeting Bakeley had stirred up the fairies. “Where have they put you to sleep, Jenny?”
“There’s cots off the kitchens—”
“What? You’re not in the attics with the other girls?”
“The beds are all taken, they said.”
Unease threaded through her. Her tour hadn’t included the servants’ quarters. But she’d not have a girl in her care confined to the scullery. Not with the cesspit seeping and men tramping everywhere.
She pulled the counterpane and a pillow off her bed and carried them to the chaise longue.
“You understand, I cannot put you in my bed, Jenny, just in case his lordship wanders in with no light and a bit foxed. He’d not bother you, I’m sure, but ’twill be better to not confuse him and embarrass the either of you.” She plumped the pillow and spread out the blanket. “You’ll sleep here.”
“Oh, miss, I couldn’t.”
“You can, and you will. We’ll lock this door to the corridor, and I’ll be in Lord Bakeley’s bed.” She took the brown dress from the girl, tossed it onto the bed, and crossed to the door, turning the key. “There now. Loosen your laces, take off your shoes, and stretch out.”
Jenny let out a breath. “Thank you, my lady.”
“Good night and sleep well.”
Guilt nipped at her, and anger. Lady Bakeley she was, like it or not, and mistress of this great house. And tomorrow night her maid would sleep in a proper room.
It wasthe wee hours before Bakeley trudged up to his bedchamber.
At Sirena’s door he paused and moved on. It was late, and she’d be asleep, and as much as he’d washed below stairs, he surely carried the stench in his clothing.
In his chamber, a lamp burned. He spotted a shape in the bed, sending his heart into a gallop.
She was here, waiting for him. He stripped off his clothes and climbed in with her, pulling her close.
“Bakeley?” she whispered.
“Who else?”
“Did you fix things?”
“No. Not tonight. We didn’t want to nose about too much with the lanterns. There are gases that might ignite.”
“Really? And start the house on fire?”
“Or worse. Explode.”
“Will we have to move out?”
“No. We’ll carry on.” They’d clear the stables though, just for a time. For the health of the cattle. “We’ll call out the muck men first thing tomorrow.”
“Will we still have the ball?”
“Yes. It will all be cleared up by then.”
“Oh.”
He heard the disappointment in her voice.
“A fine challenge you’ve set me.” She turned her head and scowled at him. “Plan a ball and pray that the house doesn’t explode around our guests.”
