Kisses and Scandal (A Survivors Series Anthology ) - Shana Galen Page 0,8

the plate within reach of the viscount, aware Lady Philomena was just to his left, and then, when the viscount had taken a portion, offered the sauce boat. At the same time, the viscount waved his arm to make a point, made contact with the boat, and sent sticky red sauce flying. James reacted quickly, withdrawing the boat and saving it from turning over completely, but he felt the sticky liquid soak through his gloves and stepped back quickly as the viscount stood and stared down at the red stain on his white shirt.

“What the devil?” he said, grasping his napkin and trying to wipe it off.

“I’m terribly sorry, me lord,” James said quickly, offering his serving towel as well.

“Oh, dear,” the duchess said. “I do think that will stain.”

“I daresay you’re right, Your Grace.” The viscount glared at James. “You cost me a shirt, sir.”

“I’m terribly sorry, me lord.” James kept his gaze down, not out of embarrassment but because he didn’t want the viscount to see his anger. The spill was wholly the fault of the viscount, and yet James must take the blame. At least he’d be sent upstairs for the remainder of the evening. Maybe one of the maids knew how to clean the sauce out of his gloves.

“It’s not James’s fault,” Lady Philomena said.

James’s head snapped up, and he met her gaze. He gave her a quick shake of the head. What was she doing? She did not need to defend him. He was a servant. It was a given he was always in the wrong.

“That’s quite enough, Philomena,” her mother said, giving her a stern look from across the table.

“But it’s not his fault, Mama. Knoxwood spilled the sauce, not James.”

James could feel all eyes land on him. The back of his collar felt hot, and he wished he would be dismissed. He was supposed to be invisible, and now he had captured the party’s attention twice. The silence seemed to drag on for a long moment, then Knoxwood turned to James and looked him up and down.

“You’re quite right, my lady. It was my fault entirely. No harm done, eh, James?”

“As ye say, me lord.”

The viscount sat again, and the butler gave James a speaking look. As soon as he was no longer the center of attention, James slipped out the door and returned downstairs.

“They done already?” Meg, the kitchen maid, asked.

“No. There was a spill.”

“Oh, heavens! You’d better go to your room before Mr. Caffold comes down. He’ll have your head.”

“It wasn’t my fault.”

“Doesn’t matter. And hand me your gloves. If I soak them now, I might get that stain out.”

He handed her the gloves and went up the back steps so there would be less chance of meeting the butler. But before he went to his chamber, he made his way to the coat room to tell William he would be needed after all. He gave William the news then started back across the foyer just as the party adjourned to the drawing room. He stepped into an alcove under the stairs and out of sight. As he stood in the shadows, he heard Phil’s voice. “Might I speak to you in private a moment, my lord?”

“Certainly,” Knoxwood answered.

“There’s a parlor just here.”

James made himself smaller as they passed him and entered the parlor across from him. She did not close the door, and James could hear their voices as the viscount asked what she wanted to speak to him about. James couldn’t see them unless he leaned forward. He could easily slip out of the alcove and make his way to the servants’ stairs without being seen.

“It’s about our discussion last night,” Phil said, and James could not seem to move. His feet had grown roots and held him fast in place. “More precisely, your proposal.”

“Oh, that,” Knoxwood said, not sounding the least bit put out that she should mention her rejection of him. “You made yourself clear. I won’t bother you with it again.”

“Actually, I was rather hoping you would.”

No. James realized what she was doing right away. She’d reconsidered the viscount’s offer of marriage, and she had decided to accept. He’d told her to accept it himself, but now that she was doing so, he wanted to run in and stop her.

“You are too kind, my lady,” Knoxwood said. “But upon reflection, I am actually rather glad you declined my offer last night.”

Silence. James leaned forward slightly and caught a glimpse of Phil on one side of the