The Lady Tamed (Saints and Sinners #4) - Heather Boyd Page 0,7
the bed, the chamber, would be his for two whole weeks. But his trunk was being unpacked, and his new possessions were already being put away.
The fellow turned to him, one brow lifting. “Was there really just the one trunk?”
“Yes, of course. How many did you expect?”
“Several, I imagined.” The fellow prowled about the room, observing the servants at their work and nodding. He turned to Jeremy suddenly. “I’m surprised you’ve acquired so little, given the length of your association with Lady Rivers. She is usually much more giving to someone like you.”
Jeremy straightened to his full height, offended by the remark. “I have everything I need.”
The man stroked his long fingers over the trunk’s lettering. J. K. D. “What does the K stand for?”
“It is none of your business what my full name is.”
“What if I think it is?”
Jeremy was taken aback by the man’s tone. “Look, you had better mind your own business and get on with it. Lady Rivers would not be pleased to learn I’d faced an inquisition from you.”
The fellow smiled slowly. “Will you tattle on me?”
Jeremy looked the man up and down. “No, but…”
“Lady Rivers is easily taken advantage of,” the fellow announced.
“You could say that of everyone.”
“And yet you have your hand out to her.” The fellow drew close. “Just another attention-seeking fop intent on spending a fortune on fine hats from Lock’s and frequenting the very best tailor her money can buy. Weston, I believe you’re wearing.”
Jeremy brought his face within inches of the fellow’s, his hands curling into fists. “Hold your tongue unless you want trouble from me.”
“Oh, do you see yourself as a buck then? Do you attend Gentleman Jackson’s, too?”
The fellow didn’t even look alarmed that he was still being glared at, but the other servants had all paused to watch the confrontation. They seemed alarmed.
Jeremy quickly got his temper under control. “No. I’m only an actor, and Lady Rivers my patroness. She is a great lady and spoken of with respect. Especially by those who’ve known her longer than I probably ever will.”
“Got you under her thumb already, has she?” The fellow suddenly grinned. “She’s a persistent minx, my daughter. I’ve yet to meet a man who can say no to her when she gets an idea in her head.”
Jeremy blinked several times. “What did you say? Daughter?”
The other servants snickered but the duke shushed them. “Enough of that now. Back to work, all of you.”
“Oh, my God. I thought you were…” Jeremy bowed deeply, his face flaming as the realization dawned that he was actually standing before the Duke of Stapleton, Lady Rivers’ esteemed father. “Forgive me for not recognizing you, your grace.”
Stapleton chuckled. “You thought I was talking out of turn, obviously.”
“Yes,” Jeremy assured him quickly. “I would never had spoken to you that way if—”
The duke cut him off. “She’s impossible, that daughter of mine. Takes after her mother in that respect. Well, it was fun while it lasted, but I suppose introductions must be made. Nicolas Westfall, Duke of Stapleton. Father of the exquisite Lady Fanny Rivers. A woman whose honor you defended admirably, I must say, with so little provocation.”
Jeremy bowed again, face flaming still. “A pleasure, and I am sorry for the lack of respect when I spoke to you. I should never have…”
“Spoken your mind? Of course, you should have leaped to my daughter’s defense. I did my best to bait you, after all. I assume Fenton was similarly rude. My idea but I’m sure he went along with my request with great enthusiasm. My daughter has told me all about her increased interest in the theater, and while I disapprove of her habit of taking in strays, I am prepared to make allowances during your stay for the sake of peace. But be aware that your time among us is limited.” The duke strolled to the door as he continued, “You will be subjected to worse interviews when the family gathers together again. Dinner will be served at seven o’clock. I’ll send a servant to fetch you, so you don’t lose your way. Wear the navy-blue wool Weston tonight.”
When the door swung shut behind him, there was silence for a moment before the servants burst out laughing again. “At least you didn’t ask him to stir the coals like Lady Rivers’ last stray did,” one said.
Jeremy glared at the men around him. “Does he do that to all his daughter’s new acquaintances?”
“Oh, frequently. Says he can judge a character better