Page 30 of Ordered Home for the Holidays
“My mother is Duchess Graves,” he said. “You met her yesterday.”
She backed up a step, hand dropping from the wall. “I thought you—I never would have intruded, my lord.”
“Don’t do that, Nell. Please don’t do that.” He sounded almost pained. “If it’s alright, could you just call me Nick and be tired of all the faff with me? I need someone sane.”
She nearly fled. She’d spoken to this man only once before in her life, but he sounded exhausted and confused, and she could really use a friend.
“Alright, Nick, let’s make a plan.” She settled on the bench near the wall.
“Will you still come for tea?”
She nodded, realized he couldn’t see her and rose. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint your mother; she’s very kind.”
“She is,” Nick said. “I’m going to go get breakfast. I look forward to seeing you, Nell.”
“See you soon, Nick.” She rose and headed for the townhouse.
Her mother was never up this early, which gave Nell the time she needed to freshen up, get the mud out from under her nails and try to pretend like she’d had a full night of rest.
One night a month wouldn’t hurt her. It was desperately needed, and so she would ensure that it happened.
Her father was waiting at the breakfast table, and they discussed how her mission went. Nell told him it had still been Johnny and that she’d counted the money twice as he’d always told her to.
“I’m glad, Nell,” her father said, swallowing the last bite of his toast. “I have to see the king this morning, so you should tell Mary to wake you and get a bit of sleep before you go to tea.”
“That’s a good idea, Papa.” Nell rose as the servants came to clear the table and headed upstairs. She found Mary, asked her to come and wake Nell in three hours, and went to her bed.
Falling asleep was like taking a breath.
Chapter Seven
Nick was pacing in the parlor, waiting for the Warricks to be shown into the room. Lord Graves had begged off, pleading illness, which Nick supposed could very well be true. His mother would have a healer in to see to him tomorrow if he didn’t improve.
But for now, he needed to be present here while they informed Nell about the slight change in plans. The word would be put out that Lord Graves had stepped down voluntarily, as he would be ill for some time and would be seen to by the palace healers.
But good gods, this was not how he’d wanted to meet Nell for the first time.
He’d wanted to meet her for certain. Even the small conversations he’d had with her had made him want to learn more. She was direct in a way he wasn’t used to in the slightest. And she was blunt and kind, and he absolutely wasn’t in knots over everything that had been in the file that Peter had given to him.
Though it had mostly been about her father, and the things that Earl Warrick had done for the city. But he’d seen Nell’s name more than once in the file, that she’d worked at her father’s side for the greater part.
He wondered if her mother knew.
He thought not, but then he hadn’t thought that his mother had been cognizant of his father’s doings. So, therewas every chance that Lady Warrick knew precisely what her husband and daughter had been doing during the war.
“Nicholas, come and greet our guests.” His mother’s voice came from the doorway. “Lady and Miss Warrick, this is my son, Duke Graves.”
Nick saw the questions flame in Nell’s eyes and immediately stepped over to bow over Lady Warrick’s hand. “My lady.”
“Your Grace,” she curtsied back, narrowing her eyes at him before nodding once, sharply, and looking at Nell. “My daughter, Miss Warrick.”
“A pleasure, Miss Warrick.” He bowed to her, but didn’t take her hand.
“Thank you, your Grace.” She sent him a confused look. “You have a lovely home.”
“I had less than nothing to do with it,” Nick said. “My mother is the mastermind behind the decor.”
Nell turned to Duchess Graves. “And your pianoforte is beautiful.”
