Page 68 of Broken

Lilly was not in his bed, and he slumped back against the door in disappointment. She was under his skin in a most uncomfortable way, and he was not sure he wanted to remove her. Surely this restless desire was just thwarted lust.

Beyond his door, he heard a low growl as Atticus marked a trespasser near his territory—territory that included Lilly’s bedchamber. Barrette must be walking past, but he was certainly at the wrong end of the hall if he was near Lilly’s bedchamber door.

Giles considered peeking out to check, but he discarded the notion. There was no guarantee Atticus would allow him to enter Lilly’s room without raising a great deal of noise either, given the dog’s prickly mood tonight.

Outside, thunder boomed in the distance, and he crossed the airless room to the window to lean out and breathe in the night. A storm was coming up fast and furious. Storms were always good cover for a midnight rendezvous. He glanced left to judge the distance and available handholds to Lilly’s room. There were very few, and he had to concede that even he could not cross the distance to Lilly’s window without breaking his neck in the attempt.

Better to attempt to see her before breakfast.

He would have to be sneakier than ever before and he was going to need some accomplices if he failed tomorrow. That meant he would have to enlist the aid of the servants. Most particularly, Dithers and Mrs. Osprey.

It might force the pair to speak to each other again. In general, he did not interfere with the personal goings-on of his staff, but after observing Barrette watching Lilly all day, he needed them on his side. And Lilly’s.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Giles stood in the damp kitchen garden watching Dithers and Mrs. Osprey approach him from opposite directions. He had been out here walking the rainy paths for some time, working out some frustrations, and he surmised they sensed his agitation already.

His morning had not gone according to plan. The first thing that bothered him was that his valet, Worth, was doing a poor job. He seemed distracted and had ruined nine neckcloths before Giles was presentable enough for company.

That delay did not help Giles catch Lilly alone for even a moment. She was already sitting at the breakfast table with her father and the obsequious cousin. Barrette loitered around her. And he seemed to be trying to direct Lord Winter. First he suggested a country ride, but since it was raining, Lord Winter did not consider it. And, as Giles also pointed out, his stables housed carriage animals, not horses suited for riding.

Then Barrette proposed a walk, but the wet grounds were unsuitable for Lilly to trudge. Winter abandoned that idea, too. Giles had been pleased she would not risk becoming chilled.

Dithers did not stand close to Mrs. Osprey when they reached him. “You sent for us, milord.”

He could sense anger from Dithers and, judging by the stubborn set of her face, Mrs. Osprey knew exactly what she was doing. Had Dithers hinted that Mrs. Osprey was losing her mind?

This was not the face of a woman with failing understanding. They had both been duped. Giles would have laughed aloud if he did not think that Dithers would quit. The man’s pride had been sorely battered.

“What do you think of our houseguests?”

The butler shot one last disgusted look at Mrs. Osprey before answering. “Well, Lord Winter has recovered from the shock quickly. It’s good he is going to bring her out in London soon, don’t you think? His staff is excited for her.”

He looked as if he’d continue, but then he pressed his lips together over another tidbit of information.

“Dithers, I do not have time for evasions.” Giles wanted to return to the house as quickly as he could. “Just tell me the rest.”

“I’d not like to be held accountable for bringing grief between friends.”

“Out with it.”

Dithers stood straight. “I noticed Lord Carrington has been spending much time with Mr. Barrette. Given his disapproval of Miss Winter, I thought you should know.”

“With my consent, Dithers.” Giles pinched the bridge of his nose. “I cannot watch over Miss Winter and the cousin at the same time.”

“But given the viscount’s opinions of Miss Winter, milord, I—”

Giles barked a laugh. Damn that woman. She had all his staff looking out for her best interests. “Don’t worry about Carrington. Miss Winter is well on her way to winning him over. She could make a dead man smile.”

Dithers appeared affronted by his comment, and Giles held back a grin. When Lilly left, would she take his butler too? It seemed a distinct possibility.

“Listen, I need to return to my guests soon, but I would like to ask you to keep your eyes open and report back to me if there is anything that disturbs you.”

Mrs. Osprey cleared her throat. “Disturbs us? About what, my lord?” Dithers scowled at Mrs. Osprey and the little woman had the good sense to drop her eyes.

“About Lilly, of course. Keep an eye on her. I don’t know why but I have a bad feeling about Mr. Barrette.” He turned to leave.

“Before you go, milord, Lord Winter’s servants have finally noticed the absence of the nurse.”