Tempting the Footman (House of Devon #5) - Lauren Smith Page 0,24

to stomach the thought of Venetia seeing him perform the common duties of a footman.

Phoebe crossed her arms in a severe fashion. “My lady fancies you, and I would hate to see her disappointed.”

Adrian pushed his chair back and sighed. “Very well. I will be up shortly with her tea.”

“Good.” The lady’s maid left the servants’ hall, and Adrian caught Benjamin’s arm as he passed by.

“If you see Mr. Reeves, tell him I’ve been requested to see to Lady Venetia, and I have taken the teapot with me.

“I will let him know,” Benjamin promised.

Adrian prepared a tea tray, collected his pot and polishing cloth, and made the climb up to Lady Venetia’s bedchamber. He hesitated before knocking, and then he pushed the door open when she called for him to enter. She was seated by the fire, wearing a lovely day gown of a soft lilac with a dark-purple sash around her waist. Her face was less pale, and her brown eyes glowed with delight as he came inside. His flowers were resting in a vase beside her on the table, the other flowers now tucked away on the windowsill.

She beamed at him. “I’m glad you’re back, Adrian. I’ve created a list of questions for you to answer.” She glanced around and then leaned toward him as he drew near. “And I’ve sent Phoebe on a few errands, so we shan’t be disturbed.”

“Oh dear. Now you have me worried,” Adrian said with a chuckle. “Dare I listen to these questions?”

“You must. Now sit,” she commanded, though her tone was teasing rather than imperious. He sat down across from her in a companion chair.

“Very well, ask your questions.”

“I wish to know more about what men desire in a woman. Do you worry about looks or her mind more? My father always warned me that most men prefer looks, but I believe he was rather biased in trying to keep me from wanting to marry. Would you say it depends on the man?”

“Well, you’ve jumped right into the thick of it, haven’t you?” He laughed but then turned serious. “It definitely depends on the man. A good man wants a woman to have a strong mind and a brave heart. Beauty shines from within, and the brighter that inner shine, the greater the outer shine becomes. A pretty face fades. As men and women grow older together, it’s what’s inside that matters.”

“I agree,” Lady Venetia replied. She twined her fingers in her skirts, then reached for the bouquet of flowers he’d brought. Her fingers brushed over the blooms of a few bluebells. He sucked in a breath when he noticed how lovingly she was gazing upon the flowers he’d chosen for her.

“Adrian, did you . . . ? Are these yours?”

He hadn’t expected this change of subject.

“Er . . . Yes. I picked those for you.” His voice was a little rough, so he cleared his throat.

“Why didn’t you bring them to me? Phoebe found them on the floor in the corridor.”

Adrian looked away. “I saw Mr. Sherman here, paying court to you, and his flowers were . . .” He paused, searching for the right words. “Mine seemed inadequate.”

“Mr. Sherman’s flowers are delicate selections from Lady Devon’s hothouse, and I doubt he chose them himself. They are lovely, but these . . .” She smiled at his bouquet. “These are flowers that lived out in the wide world, beautiful and bold, wild and free, even the garden roses. They have earned their place in the world. They are not pampered plants who have water and soil given to them at their leisure.”

Adrian was silent. Her words moved him deeply, and she fell quiet too for a long moment.

“Mr. Sherman’s flowers are a kind gesture. Yours, however, are a statement. Thank you. They brightened my dreary day.”

Her words sent a flutter of hope through him again, but he knew better than to embrace it. Still . . . she had surprised him with her view on the flowers.

“You’re welcome, my lady. I was asked to teach you about men, but it seems instead you have taught me something about women.”

She smiled then as she looked his way. “Now, we shall return to my questions. The next one is that I wish to know more about you.”

“Me? My lady, we have been over this.” He shook his head. “I am supposed to talk to you about men, not me.”

“You are a man, aren’t you?” She hid all the humor from her face as