The Seduction of Sara by Karen Hawkins

Author:Karen Hawkins
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3, epub, pdf
ISBN: 9780380815265
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2001-10-30T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Hibberton Hall rang with the sound of an off-key baritone, the French ditty echoing down the stairs and into the foyer. Nick paused in handing Wiggs his hat and gloves.

After a thoughtful moment, the elderly butler said, “I believe the comte is very talented. For a Frenchman, that is.”

The voice increased, careering even more wildly off-key.

Nick grimaced. “I would grant him ”loud‘ but I draw the line at ’talented‘.“

The butler’s blue eyes twinkled. “Yes, my lord.” He took the earl’s coat and made as if to turn away.

“Wiggs,” Nick said, “I believe I owe you ten guineas.”

The ancient butler drew himself up. “Yes, my lord. The staff worked hard to complete your task. It was quite gratifying to see them work together in such a way.”

“I will have Pratt bring the money to you today. I hope the staff has resolved their difference of opinion over the water stain in the sitting room?”

Wiggs sighed. “I fear we are never to resolve that issue, my lord. Now that the room has been redone, the stain is no longer evident. However, I venture to think that the ten guineas will go a long way to keeping them more focused on their tasks.”

“Thank you, Wiggs. Please convey my compliments to the staff.”

The elderly butler bowed, then hobbled away.

It was gratifying how the efficiency of the servants had increased right along with the improvements on the Hall. Like Wiggs, they walked taller, held themselves with pride, and were quicker and more efficient in completing their tasks. As more and more of the house opened, Nick had asked Mr. Pratt to hire more maids and some new footmen. The infusion of new faces delighted the old staff, who suddenly had a whole squadron of underlings to order about.

Nick continued to the library, where he sank into a chair behind the large desk. The memory of the kiss burned brightly. He’d never met anyone quite like Sara Lawrence. Her emotions were never far from the surface; she was a woman who would care deeply when she chose to.

The thought disturbed him more than he wanted to admit.

The door to the library opened. “Ah, there you are.” Henri sailed into the room and threw himself into a chair opposite the desk. “It is a beautiful day!”

“Isn’t it?” Nick agreed. The sun was shining, his servant woes seemed to have resolved themselves, and the woman who was going to be his mistress had sought him out. All in all, it was a damned good day to be master of Hibberton Hall.

Henri sent him a considering glance. “You seem to be feeling much better this morning.”

Nick shrugged. He did not like to talk about his illness, especially not now, when the day gleamed golden and his heart was unexpectedly light. There would be time later, when the illness caught him in its final grip and he was unable to fight the pain without the assistance of the little brown bottles that had lured his mother to her death. But this was not a day for thinking of such things.

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