the library. Gemma is occupying the drawing room.”
She swept past him, expecting him to follow. With quick, efficient steps, she navigated the corridors; he adopted a more leisurely pace. It allowed him to study her while sending a message he was not amenable to being led nor handled by anyone. His will was strong, his path determined. She needed to know what she was getting into if their lives were forever entwined. He hoped being clear now would eliminate any conflict between them in the future.
The furniture in the library was covered in sheets. She whipped one off a chair and gestured toward it. “Sit.”
“I’m not a circus dog.”
“Should I not retrieve the flaming hoops then?”
He chuckled; his defensiveness evaporated without any conscious effort on his part. “You continue to surprise me, Bess. I like that quality in a woman.”
“Possibly one other person shares your opinion.”
He shrugged. “I don’t require validation from others."
“What a rare bird you are.” Her smile seemed to be given begrudgingly. “If you would like to have a seat, please be my guest.”
She remained standing, so he did as well. The circumstances of their unconventional meeting last night might have given her the wrong impression. Julius was a well-bred gentleman, from the top of his head to the tips of his Wellies.
He aimed a frown at his shiny boots. “These were caked in mud last night. Did you polish them?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” She crossed her arms and leaned her shoulder against the end of a bookshelf. “Robbie cleaned them for you.”
The servant boy who’d attended him earlier. Julius ran his fingertips over the covered furniture as he sauntered toward the bookshelf where she stood. “What is going on at Davensworth Cottage? Why did I find you washing dishes?”
Bess sighed. “Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t share my cousin’s plight, but I don’t see how we will hide it. The butler resigned after my uncle’s death and took most of the male staff with him. He thought it was beneath him to be employed by an unmarried lady. He believed the estate should have gone to a male relative, no doubt one of my irresponsible half-brothers.”
“It was none of the manservant’s concern,” he said, “as long as his salary continued.”
Her eyes widened as if he was capable of surprising her as well. “My thoughts exactly, Julius.”
To hear his name fall nonchalantly from her lips did something strange to his insides. His initial reaction was pleasure, but dread followed closely on its heels. If he broached the topic of their night together, would they quarrel again? He didn’t have the stamina for another round before breakfast.
“In the end, it is for the best.”
Julius realized she was still talking and tried to focus.
“Gemma will require a loyal man under the roof.”
“Er, a man?”
“A butler to hire footmen,” she said. “A house this size requires adequate staff. ”
“This explains the lack of male staff, but not the reason you were elbows deep in dish water.”
“I suppose it doesn’t.” She caught one side of her lip between pearly teeth as if measuring her words before speaking. “Davensworth Cottage had more than its fair share of tragedy last year. After the butler resigned, the housekeeper took charge. She did a fine job of running the household, but a month later, she died suddenly.
“The rest of the servants abandoned Gemma afterward. Only the housekeeper’s children remained, and neither Anne or Robbie have much experience. I insisted Gemma bring them when she came to stay with me. The poor dears had their own grieving to do, and who would look after them if they stayed behind?”
Beneath her steely exterior, a kind heart resided. The image of her gazing up at him with concern crinkling her brow flashed through his memory. Something about a nightshirt? It evaporated like mist rising from the pastures at sunrise, but the warmth of the moment lingered.
“Had I anticipated Gemma's wish to be home by Christmas,” she said, “I would have sought candidates earlier. It is her first year without her father, so I anticipate it will be difficult. It would have been better to have the house ready for her return, and you were right about the greenery.”
“Pardon?”
“Last night you commented on the lack of greenery and holiday cheer.” She glanced around the room, shaking her head. “There is much to do before Christmas.”
He smiled ruefully. “I was a regular magpie, and I cannot recall most of what I said.”
“Yes, well…” She dropped her gaze to the floor and toyed