Ridiculous by D.L. Carter

Author:D.L. Carter [Carter, D.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Corvallis Press
Published: 2012-05-19T04:00:00+00:00

* * *

The next morning found Millicent presenting herself at the door of the duke’s London residence.

The duke’s London butler was exactly the archetype of the species. Tall, proud, skeletal with a hooked nose proudly raised and clothing of immaculate fit. Millicent paused on the doorstep staring at the man for a full minute before removing her gloves one finger at a time.

“No. Not the father. No. Are you, perhaps, the uncle of the Somerset estate Forsythe?”

The butler did not even blink. “Sir is entirely correct. I congratulate sir on his perspicacity. Within the family I am referred to as Forsythe senior.”

“If you permit, I shall as well. I am Mr. North. I expect His Grace has warned you about me and you have, therefore, declared your intention of manning the battlements, taking up the draw-bridge, and barring my entrance.”

“Indeed not, Mr. North. By His Grace’s command, I am to render you every courtesy.

“How very kind of him. Dare I hope to be so fortunate as to find him home?”

“If you would wait, I shall inquire.”

The butler directed Millicent into a gilt edged, formal receiving room more suited to the dowager than the current duke. Millicent occupied herself examining paintings until Shoffer arrived, out of breath and smiling. He held out both hands and shook Millicent’s in a firm, enthusiastic grip.

“North. Excellent. Dare I hope you are here to request my aid in improving your wardrobe? If necessary I shall accompany you to Nestor’s and add my voice to yours in the hope he will accept your apology.”

Millicent waved her hand, dismissing the offer. “I called upon Nestor two days ago. If you ask him I think you will find he likes me well enough.”

“Indeed?” Shoffer stepped back and examined the lines of Millicent’s baggy clothing with an air of disbelief. “Why ever for?”

“I paid off one of Beau Brummel’s debts.”

That set the duke back on his heels.

“Good God, why? I hope you do not expect him to thank you.”

“I have no intention of informing him of the action at all.” Millicent began prowling the room. “It is enough for me to know that I have done so. When he took notice of my cousins he raised them from simple country gels to London sophisticates and I am grateful. And, before you ask, I did speak to Nestor about my clothing. He had heard enough rumors about my appearance to be – let us not say eager – but resigned to accept another commission from me. And since I promised to enter and leave through the back door until he is satisfied with me, we are in good humor with each other.”

“Well, then, I see that I am not needed in the matter of your wardrobe.”

Millicent smiled while behind her teeth the words, “I shall always need you” begged to be spoken. He was particularly handsome this morning in a dark green cut away coat and fawn buckskins hugging his muscular thighs. Even at rest in his home Shoffer radiated strength and authority.

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