Page 104 of The Dueling Duchess

“That’s true,” she agreed. “But he also said you’d mentioned having a look about yourself.”

“No. I changed my mind about that after he pointed out the obvious disadvantages.” He glanced at Cat.

Blade nodded. “We can talk about exactly what you want to do later.” She turned to Cat and Angus. “We have to go now, but I can bring Angus over to see you at the house.” She glanced at George, who was still cowering in the corner. “He can become acquainted with your dog, too, so they get along better.”

Cat bounced up and down on her toes. “Oh, could we? Is that all right, Guy?”

“I’m sure Cecile wouldn’t mind.” He winked at her. “Blade can bring Angus sometime when Cecile’s not home and we can turn him loose on all her things.”

Blade clucked her tongue. “Oh, Guy.”

“Oh, Guy,” Angus echoed, making the same clucking sound.

Cat laughed so hard he worried she’d do herself harm.

“I’ll get back to you within the next few days,” Blade said, and then left with her bird.

“Here, you can help me sort,” Guy said to Cat.

As he sorted clothing and costumes and Cat jabbered to him and George, Guy thought about the other matter he’d seen to today.

After the unhappy end to his conversation with Cecile, Guy had required another long walk to settle his temper, and so he’d gone to visit the offices of Ashe and Ashe, the solicitors who’d managed the ducal affairs for decades.

The visit had done nothing to alleviate his rotten mood.

Instead of being met by one of the senior partners of the firm—as was usually the procedure when the solicitors called on him—he’d been passed off to a mere clerk.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Darlington, but I’m afraid I can’t talk to you about matters pertaining to the dukedom.”

“Well then, how about Ashe or his father? Can they speak to me?”

“Neither of them are in the office, sir.”

That was a bloody lie because Guy could hear Ashe senior shouting at a subordinate in the back office.

So there was a blow to his dignity he’d not been expecting. That was the way things were now—he wasn’t even important enough to merit a visit with a bloody solicitor.

He would talk to Blade about that matter as well when he saw her.

Guy might no longer be duke, but he was bloody well still a Darlington, no matter how many people might wish that he’d simply disappear.

Chapter 18

“I have finally hired an apprentice,” Cecile declared upon entering the kitchen a few evenings later.

It was early and Guy was keeping company with Cat and George, who were eating their dinner.

“Congratulations,” Guy said, setting aside his spoon to stand, and quickly being waved back into his seat by his employer.

“Sit, sit. I will eat, too.” She glanced at Cook, who was already filling a bowl with stew.

Since the occupants of the house kept such odd hours, everyone tended to eat when they had the time, and the kitchen was generally considered the social center of the big house.

“And you want to know the really good news?” Cecile asked Cat, whose mouth was so stuffed with fresh-baked bread that her cheeks looked like a squirrel’s.

Cat nodded.

“This woman is also your new governess.”