It Started with a Scandal by Julie Anne Long

Author:Julie Anne Long
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2015-03-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

THE FOLLOWING MORNING, PHILIPPE woke with a start. Again, he thought he heard heated whispering outside his door.

And then came, unsurprisingly, a tap.

He yawned. “Enter,” he rasped.

The door swung open. To his shock, a masculine voice said, “I am at your ser­vice, sir, if you would like assistance with dressing.”

Lavay propped himself upright and stared. He rubbed his fists in his eyes and took another look.

Surely he was dreaming he was back at Les Pierres d’Argent. Because standing before him was a tall, proper, elegant footman . . .

. . . and he was dressed in midnight blue.

Trimmed in silver braid.

Philippe slid out of bed and circled him as if he were an apparition.

He slowly reached out a finger and gave him a tiny poke.

The man didn’t budge or so much as blink.

“Who the devil are you?” he finally asked.

“I’m Ramsey, sir. Your footman, sir.”

“You’re one of the pair of footmen that came with this house?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why are you here?”

“I won the coin toss, sir.”

“The . . .”

“Mrs. Fountain was unable to decide which of us to send to attend upon you, as we both, as she said, ‘suited.’ We tossed a ha’pence, sir. Lion side up, and here I am.”

Philippe stood back and studied him. He shook his head to and fro slowly. He was an absolute vision in well-­cut livery, a striped waistcoat, pale silk stockings, and shoes that were polished to mirror brilliance.

Lavay gave a short, wondering laugh.

“Well, you’re magnifique, Ramsey.”

“Thank you, sir. I think.”

“You do thank me,” Philippe confirmed. “It means you look magnificent.”

Ramsey didn’t twitch a brow or alter his expression. He was impassive and regal. His posture was as straight as a mizzenmast. He was every inch the sort of footman Philippe had known his entire life.

And wonder poured through him like sunlight.

“And thank you, sir, for being so kind as to think of myself and James. Mrs. Fountain told us it was your idea.”

A clever strategic move on Mrs. Fountain’s part. “Mrs. Fountain may have made suggestions, to which I agreed. Never forget how very fortunate you are that she is in charge of the house, Ramsey. She is a . . . she is a miracle.”

“Of course, sir. She runs a very tight ship.”

Lavay smiled. He suddenly felt made of light.

“Please tell me how I may be of ser­vice, my lord.”

“Well . . . how are you with a razor, Ramsey?”

“I could shave a baby’s bottom and leave nary a nick.”

“Well, then, you ought to be able to shave me, I suppose.”

“But of course, sir. And might I suggest the nankeen trousers today, if you intend to go out? The weather is inclement, sir.”

“I thank you for the suggestion. But right after we’ve made me presentable, Ramsey, there’s something I’d like you to do.”

ELISE WAS WAITING in the kitchen with bated breath for Ramsey’s return, but she hadn’t expected him to return at a run.

“Quickly, Mrs. Fountain! There’s no time to lose! Lord Lavay wants you to fetch the vase from

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