Secrets of a Runaway Bride by Valerie Bowman

Author:Valerie Bowman
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2013-03-25T13:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

Annie was speaking with Jeffries, the butler, when Jordan rounded the corner and found her the next day. He raised a brow. Mr. McGivens and Mrs. Phillips might have been perfectly content with Annie nosing into their affairs, but Jeffries came from a long line of distinguished butlers, all of whom had been in service to the Earl of Ashbourne for generations. Jeffries would not stand for any questioning of his methods or his authority.

Jordan glanced at the butler’s face. By God, the man actually wore a … smile. Jordan hadn’t seen Jeffries smile since … ever.

“I’d never quite thought of it that way, Miss Andrews,” the butler was saying.

“Thought of what what way?” Jordan asked before he could stop himself.

Seeing his master, Jeffries straightened to his normal regal position. “My lord.” He clicked his heels together and bowed.

Annie glanced up, a slightly guilty look on her pretty face.

Jordan waved away the formalities with his hand. “No need for that, Jeffries. What were you discussing? I’m curious.”

Jeffries cleared his throat. “Why, Miss Andrews was just pointing out that were I to allow some of the footmen to oversee the less important aspects of my position, I would be free to perform the more important tasks with much more care and precision.”

Jordan shook his head. Jeffries had been famously into everything for as long as Jordan could remember. The footmen detested his overly fastidious manners and the housemaids were unhappy with the way he told them how to do their work. But Jeffries was the head of the household servants and Jordan had always allowed him to handle everything as he saw fit. Now, somehow, Annie had managed to get the butler to see reason? It was nearly impossible to believe.

“I’m so pleased you agree,” Annie replied to the butler with a tinkling laugh. “Mrs. Phillips has already agreed to ensure the housemaids meet their standards.”

“It should be quite a relief to me, Miss Andrews,” the butler said with a bow. “Not to have to worry about such things any longer. Seeing to the wine and the silver alone take half my day.”

Annie beamed at him before taking Jordan’s arm and allowing him to lead her away.

“I’ve never seen Jeffries so amenable,” Jordan said as they walked toward the terrace.

Annie flashed him a bright smile. “Mrs. Phillips has just been beside herself dealing with his, ahem, attention to detail, and I thought I might convince him if I appealed to his vanity. After all, butlers are meant to be butlers.”

Jordan shook his head. “I don’t know what my household did before you came along.”

Annie playfully slapped his sleeve.

“No, I’m quite serious,” Jordan replied. “You’ve managed to charm the gardener, the housekeeper, and the butler in just a matter of days. In addition to your driving and shooting skills, I stand very much impressed by you, Miss Andrews.”

Annie couldn’t squelch her smile. She shrugged. “I’ve got to do something to occupy my time while I’m … visiting.”

Jordan flashed her a grin. “I’m just glad you’ve stayed out of trouble.

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