Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
Perhaps they had it ready for the duke.
* * *
One of the maids served her a cup of tea and piled her plate with food, while the rest backed out of the room with proper curtsies.
* * *
“Thank you,” she said as the girl completed her task. She blushed, bowed, and hurried out.
* * *
Janice cut off a piece of the fish, feeding it to the puppy, who ate delicately before she took a sip of her tea. She stared out of the window, a frown on her face. There was something oppressive about the atmosphere that she could not quite pin down, but she was beginning to understand why Arthur wanted to be shot of it as quickly as he could be.
* * *
She picked up a piece of bread, holding it out for the puppy to eat. “What are we getting ourselves into, little man?”
* * *
The puppy simply yipped at her, wagging his tail.
Arthur closed his eyes and sighed, covering his face with his hand. He felt the rough stubble on his face and how icy cold his face was.
* * *
Her words echoed in his mind.
* * *
You’ll catch your death of cold.
* * *
He could not help but smile at the concern he’d heard in her voice as she spoke to him. It alternately filled him with warmth and despair. He cursed his father for burdening him with this quest, to completely destroy his name. Were it not for that, he might be able to reach out to Lady Janice and find out if she felt more than concern for him.
* * *
He thrust the thought away from him as his valet brought him some hot water. He dipped his head in it, gasping with shock at the drastic difference in temperature. He shuddered, rubbing his flesh.
* * *
“Your bath is ready, Your Grace.”
* * *
He sank gratefully into the water, groaning as he closed his eyes. The servants built up the fire until the room was quite warm. For a moment, he could not fathom how he could ever have ended up where he did. He knew he’d left his manor on foot, knowing how drunk he was and not wanting to put a horse in danger.
* * *
The Marquis did not live far, and it was a fairly pleasant night, or so his drunkenness had assured him. He remembered arriving there, and that he was early. The marquis offered him a drink and Arthur was quite sure they’d had some pleasant conversation before moving to the gaming room.
* * *
He remembered his reckless wagers, pressing the marquis to let him bid Avebury Manor. The marquis had been more reluctant than Arthur had expected. More than that, he could not remember.
* * *
He sighed, closing his eyes as his valet ran a comb through his hair and shaved his stubble. “Hurry. I do not want to keep Lady Janice waiting for too long.”
* * *
“Yes, Your Grace.”
* * *
Dressed in woolen breeches, and a warm jacket over his shirt, he hurried downstairs, hoping she hadn’t given up and left. As much as he knew that nothing could come of this…liaison, he was still loath to give up the prospect of spending a little more time with her while he could.
* * *
His steps quickened as he approached the parlor, heart quickening. He opened the door, and froze in the doorway, staring at her. She looked up, the cup of tea midway to her mouth, and stared back at him.
* * *
“Greetings. I apologize for the wait.”
* * *
She smiled, and his heart leaped. “Think nothing of it. You look much better.”
* * *
“I feel much better too.”
* * *
“Come. Sit. Have tea with me.”
* * *
He walked into the room as if her words were a magnet, pulling him towards her. He took a seat next to her and reached for the teapot, although his attention was mostly on her.
* * *
“Is the breakfast to your satisfaction?” he asked.
* * *
She smiled. “I think the pup enjoyed it even more than me. He was especially enamored of the toast.”
* * *
Arthur laughed. “Is that so? I am not sure animals are meant to be fed such.”
* * *
She stared keenly at the puppy. “He seems fine.”
* * *
He reached out and bopped the puppy’s nose. “What will you name him?”
* * *
Her brow furrowed thoughtfully. “I do not know.”
* * *
“How about Hubert?”
* * *
“Hubert?” She looked at him in surprise. “Any special significance to the name?”
* * *
He smiled. “No. It just came to me. And that dog looks like a Hubert.”
* * *
“Alright. Hubert it is.” She rubbed the dog’s ears.
* * *
The puppy yipped.
Janice lost all track of time as she talked and laughed with the duke. They seemed to have quite a bit in common in spite of the differences in their lifestyles. He was interested in many of the things she was interested in such as plays and books, the mysteries of the wider world, and travel.