Tempting the Footman (House of Devon #5) - Lauren Smith Page 0,29

man only let her attend a handful of balls during her come-out. I suspect the poor girl has no idea of when she’s being wooed. You might have to make your intentions more plain.”

“Yes, I suppose I might. I believe she will miss dinner this evening, but I might pay a call afterward.”

Adrian clenched his fists, hating Mr. Sherman, even though the man wasn’t being ungentlemanly toward Lady Venetia. In fact, he seemed to be the sort of man she was looking for, one who thought of her mind and heart and wished to woo her with the best intentions. But the thought of another man touching her filled Adrian with jealous anger. An anger he knew full well that he had no right to feel.

“Just watch for that old dragon, Lady Latham,” Sherman’s friend warned in jest as he knocked back the rest of his whiskey. “She would have no qualms about walloping you over the head with that cane of hers if she thought you were being too forward.” The gentlemen all chuckled at that.

The conversation soon turned to gambling, hunting, and other sports of leisure that Adrian had never had the means to indulge in. He saw that none of the men needed a second drink, so he hastily left. It was time to speak to Mr. Reeves about dinner. It would no doubt be an unpleasant discussion, but he would do anything for Lady Venetia now.

Venetia found herself strangely nervous as Phoebe finished styling her hair. She had changed for dinner, even though she was not going down with the other guests. She wore a deep-plum purple gown with a silver sash. Her hair was gathered in loose waves, and a ribbon had been threaded through her gold locks in a Grecian fashion.

“Would you say I look . . . attractive?” she asked the maid.

Phoebe arched a suspicious brow. “You have never asked me that before.”

“Well, do I?”

“You look lovely, as always, my lady.”

Venetia relaxed at her maid’s sincere tone. “It is silly to be nervous, isn’t it?”

“For dinner with a footman? I should certainly say so. He is the one who should be nervous.”

“Oh hush.” Venetia laughed at her maid’s dour, disapproving tut-tut as she touched up a few stray curls.

“You look fit for the prince himself. If that footman knows what’s good for him, he’ll be stunned, my lady.”

Venetia gazed at herself in the looking glass and for the first time did feel truly stunning.

“Do you wish me to help you to the upstairs library?”

“Oh, yes, please. I told Adrian I would meet him there. He still has so much to do.”

Phoebe gently helped her stand, and Venetia took a few cautious steps on her still-tender foot. She was feeling much better but didn’t want Adrian to know that. Her grandmother might force her back into the midst of the party, and she didn’t want that, not when she could spend more time with him.

They walked to the upstairs library. Venetia’s heart skipped a beat when she spied Adrian’s form standing by the reading table. His head rose at the rustle of her dress, and he was soon at her side, bowing as he offered her his arm. Venetia saw the stern look that Phoebe gave to Adrian before she reluctantly set Venetia free.

A great sense of peace settled on Venetia as he gently pulled her toward the reading table. Phoebe receded to the background; it was now just the two of them in the library.

“Tell me the truth. Was Mr. Reeves very mad at you?”

Adrian offered her a conspiratorial grin. “Mad enough. Lady Devon said I should do whatever I needed to please you, and I reminded him of that order, so he finally had to concede.”

“Oh dear, I imagine a butler would not like that.”

Adrian grinned. “No indeed. Mr. Reeves is a fair man, but the household has its rules, and he loves his rules. But he’s been a good man to me.” Adrian’s expression darkened. “I came here half-starved, desperate, and he took me in, despite my history.”

Venetia gave his arm a squeeze. “It’s so unfair to judge a child for his birth. You would be a worthy heir to any dukedom, but I don’t think I would’ve been a decent maid. Perhaps a housekeeper,” she mused.

Adrian chuckled. “Housekeeping is a complicated position. It requires a lot of clever thinking and careful planning, as well as management of many different personalities. I have no doubt you would be excellent at it.”

Venetia