finished drying off and brushing his coat. He had managed to use the flat iron to press the wrinkles from the rain out of the fabric, but it still smelled vaguely of a rainy field. Not an unpleasant scent, but it was noticeable, and Mr. Reeves would certainly be displeased with that.
“Did you say Mr. Reeves is looking for me?” he asked.
“Yes. You are to report to his office.” Benjamin paused as he carried a tray of sandwiches past him toward the servants’ stairs that led up to the main part of the house.
Adrian had an uncomfortable feeling about this. “What for?”
“I have no idea, but he is waiting for you.”
Adrian stole a bite of turkey and porridge before he headed to reach Mr. Reeves’s office and knocked.
“Come in,” Mr. Reeves said.
Adrian slipped in and closed the door behind him only to freeze at the sight of Lady Devon standing next to the butler.
“Adrian, thank you for coming.” The duchess beamed at him. Surely her smile meant he wasn’t about to be tossed out.
He bowed his head. “Your ladyship.”
“Adrian, I’ve spoken with her ladyship, and she wishes for you to have a special duty during the house party.”
“A special duty, sir?” Adrian couldn’t imagine what the butler was talking about.
Lady Devon laid a hand on Mr. Reeves’s arm and spoke to Adrian directly.
“Lady Venetia has a terribly swollen ankle and must be resting in bed. Her grandmother, Lady Latham, has expressed her desire for you to attend to her this week.”
“Yes, your ladyship,” Adrian replied without thinking, stunned by the request. “What would my exact duties be?”
“Bring her meals, see that she has everything she needs.” The duchess hesitated before turning to the butler. “Reeves, would you mind letting me have a moment alone with Adrian?”
The old butler squared his shoulders. “Of course, my lady.” He bowed to her and arched a brow at Adrian before he left the room.
When the door closed, the duchess sighed. “I know this request is quite unconventional.”
Adrian had been taught to hold his tongue, but he had questions that needed answers. “Pardon me, your ladyship, but does this have to do with the conversation from earlier today? I did not mean to overhear.”
“Yes,” the duchess said, and she actually relaxed. “I know it must have been impossible not to hear Lady Latham and her . . . unusual comments. Yes, I’m glad to speak freely of it. The truth is, Lady Venetia does need a bit of . . . Oh heavens, the word experience sounds very improper, but I suppose it is the most apt. She has been quite sheltered, not intellectually but romantically. And she is in need of a husband, and soon. It is important that she learns what a good man has to offer so she might know what to look for when choosing one. Lady Latham and I agree that you would suit very well for Venetia to have some interaction without the burden of the social situation.” Lady Devon clasped her hands together. “Is it terrible to ask this of you?”
Adrian found a smile forming on his lips. “You’ve asked me to spend the week with a lovely and kind young woman. I do not see any hardship in the request and would be happy to do whatever you wish.”
Lady Devon sighed in relief. “Thank you. I will make sure Reeves is made aware of how pleased you have made me.”
“Thank you, your ladyship.”
Adrian waited for the duchess to leave the room first, and then he followed her. Mr. Reeves was hovering in the corridor, scowling.
“So, you are to attend to Lady Venetia?”
“To be a companion of sorts, yes.”
The butler harrumphed and muttered darkly about the impropriety of the entire situation, but Adrian knew the man wasn’t angry with him.
“Well, let’s start you off then. Go and see if Mrs. Webster has a tray of food and take it up to Lady Venetia’s chambers.”
“Yes, sir.”
Adrian went to the kitchens, collected the tray, and began the long climb up the servants’ stairs to the second floor, where Lady Venetia was resting. He knocked on her door, and her lady’s maid, Phoebe, was already frowning at him.
“They sent you to entertain her, did they?”
“Er . . . Yes, I suppose.”
“Well, you’d better come in, then.”
“Who is it, Phoebe?” Venetia asked.
“Your footman.” Phoebe took the tray from him and set it down on the table, leaving Adrian unsure of himself. He stayed just inside the door.
“Phoebe, would you see how Gran