Holiday Duet by Grace Burrowes

Author:Grace Burrowes [Burrowes, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781952443367
Publisher: Grace Burrowes Publishing

“Lady Margaret Entwhistle and friend, to see you, my lord.” Nicholas, the butler Marcus’s mama had chosen for his London house, made this announcement as calmly as if some old army comrade had dropped by.

“Her ladyship came in person, in this weather?” Outside the library, the day was gray, frigid, and windy, the sky still spitting intermittent snow. Marcus could not imagine more wretched, dreary weather.

“I believe her ladyship came on foot, sir. She says she needn’t trouble you, she’s only delivering a document for your consideration.”

Lady Margaret had been troubling Marcus, troubling his sleep and his curiosity. His shopping expedition yesterday had been entirely fruitless—this was somehow her fault—and Marcus had been certain she’d miss her noon deadline, given the foul weather.

“Show her and her friend in.” Marcus capped the ink, sanded the letter he’d been composing, and rose. “And a tea tray would be appreciated, all the trimmings, and three cups.” If Lady Margaret had brought a companion of any standing, then that lady should be included in the civilities.

Nicholas bowed and left Marcus to examine his reflection in the mirror opposite the fireplace.

Simon, the firstborn and original heir to the Innisborough title, had been handsome, witty, charming, and a tailor’s delight. He’d had the sense to stop growing just before he’d topped six feet, and his eyes had been the traditional Bannerfield green. Compared to him, Marcus had always felt like exactly what he was—a spare. Serviceably intelligent, tolerably well put together, unobtrusively competent.

He’d been a good officer, and he was a dutiful son, but he had no earthly idea how to be a proper uncle to two little girls. He was thus entirely unprepared for Lady Margaret’s friend to be a small girl who clung to her ladyship’s hand and gawked alternately at the library and at her own booted feet.

“Ladies, good day.” He bowed to Lady Margaret and then to the girl. “I believe an introduction is in order?” Or perhaps it wasn’t, but one couldn’t entirely ignore a child standing right before one plain as day.

Lady Margaret curtseyed, her enormous satchel bumping against her skirts. “My lord, may I make known to you Miss Charlotte Entwhistle. Charlotte, make your curtsey to Lord Marcus.”

The girl’s curtsey was a small replica of Lady Margaret’s, though the child bore little resemblance to her ladyship. Perhaps Miss Charlotte was a niece?

“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Charlotte. Shall we be seated, Lady Margaret? I’ve ordered a tea tray, and I understand you have an estimate for me to peruse.”

The girl watched him as if he were an exotic beast given powers of speech. He felt rather the same about her, though he doubted she would dare speak up in the company of adults.

“We need not trouble you for tea, my lord.” Lady Margaret opened her satchel and passed over a rolled document tied with a red ribbon, like a legal brief. “I promised you an estimate by noon, and that hour approaches in fifteen minutes.”

“So it does,” Marcus said.

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