Tempting the Footman (House of Devon #5) - Lauren Smith Page 0,12
meadow,” she whispered, shivering in a way that made his heart clench with concern.
“It wasn’t foolish, my lady,” he reassured her as his hands stroked her calves while he rolled down her stockings. She was cold to the touch, yet her eyes were heated as she looked up at him in quiet surprise.
“You’re very gentle,” she said, as though confused by her own statement.
“Of course, my lady. One should always be gentle with a woman.”
“I wish I knew more about men.” This last statement was uttered so quietly that he thought perhaps he’d misheard her.
Adrian moved away from her to hang the stockings to dry. A moment later, Lady Venetia’s maid burst in.
“My lady!” Phoebe rushed straight to Venetia and didn’t notice Adrian laying the stockings on the top of the fire grate to dry them.
“Oh, Phoebe, you will laugh at me. It was so very silly. I slipped on the grass and hurt my ankle.” All of this was spoken through Lady Venetia’s chattering teeth and shivering lips.
“I would never laugh.” Phoebe began undoing the laces of the gown as she rolled her mistress over. Adrian froze at the sight of Lady Venetia’s body being bared to him.
“Thank you . . . Adrian,” Venetia said drowsily at him.
Phoebe whirled and gasped. “What the devil are you doing here? Out with you! Out!” She chased Adrian from the room and slammed the door. Phillip was waiting for him outside, half grinning.
“Saw a bit more of the lady than you should have, eh?”
Adrian chuckled. “Definitely more than I should have, but the lady was going to catch a chill, and I wasn’t sure how quickly you would find her maid.”
“Mr. Reeves will have you cleaning teapots for the next century, no matter that you saved the poor woman.”
“I’m afraid my heroic actions will likely go unpraised.” He chuckled wryly at the idea of anyone thinking him a hero.
“Most of the guests are here. Why don’t you dry off and see to the rest of the luggage. I’ll make sure Benjamin and the doctor find her.”
Adrian clapped Phillip on the back and returned downstairs, only to run straight into Lady Latham.
“I’ve only just heard, you found my granddaughter outside and carried her into the house. What happened to her?” She held her cane tight, knuckles white, but he still heard the fear in her imperious tone.
“She slipped on the hill and twisted her ankle very badly, my lady. We sent for the doctor, and she is resting in her room.”
“Thank you, Mr. . . . ,” Lady Latham said more quietly.
“Adrian Montague, my lady.”
“Adrian, yes, now I remember. Thank you. Venetia is my world, you see. If anything happened to her . . .”
“She’s a strong young lady, and brave,” Adrian said. “I’m sure she will be fine.” He started to move around Lady Latham, but her cane rose as if of its own volition and blocked his passing.
“I shall make this known to Lady Devon. If it isn’t too much trouble to ask, in addition to your other duties, would you be able to look after Lady Venetia? See that she has whatever she needs? I trust you, young man, and frankly, I like the look of you. It would do my stubborn little dear some good to spend time around a handsome young man with manners.”
“Surely you don’t mean for her to spend time with me?” She had to be forgetting that he was only a footman. Perhaps it was because he had left his coat out in the gardens.
“I’m aware that you are a servant, but that is merely a word to me. What matters is what is in here.” She tapped his chest with her cane. “I will speak to Lady Devon. She may reduce your duties so you may care for Venetia.”
Adrian didn’t dare argue. “Yes, my lady.” He bowed respectfully and let her pass by him to go up the stairs to see to her granddaughter. She disappeared down the hall, and he headed back out onto the terrace and into the rain to find his livery coat.
He tried to focus on how he would handle the butler’s displeasure and not about how he might be spending more time than was wise with the beautiful Lady Venetia. Adrian was no rakehell, but even he would have to be on his best behavior around someone so sweet, or he would lose his home here and any reference that could see him settled elsewhere.
Lady Latham had no idea