Page 54 of The Earl and His Lady

“Then you will get to the heart of the matter and correct things, I am certain of it. And I will be here, should you wish for my company or assistance.”

Did Virginia know how much he meant those words? Could she ever understand the emotions behind them?

“Thank you, Lucas.” His eyes fell to her lips as she spoke his name. He backed away, pulling the chair out for her. Imagining what it would be like to kiss her did nothing for his self-control.

“You are most welcome, my lady. Would you care to partake of this excellent meal?”

A humorless chuckle escaped her. “Since when is cold ham excellent?” She moved to take her seat.

“Since I am absolutely famished,” he answered, forcing lightness in his tone.

Lucas went to the opposite end of the table, grateful for the distance between them.

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Being slighted by her own servants had never happened to Virginia before. She could hear her mother’s voice in her mind, repeating lessons of household management to her. But something such as this had never been discussed. Then again, Virginia couldn’t imagine anyone daring to show so much as a hint of insubordination to Lady Vinespar. The woman likely would’ve routed Napoleon on her first entry into battle by doing no more than casting a glare in his direction.

At least Lucas hadn’t seemed insulted. His calm acceptance of the matter had eased her irritation enough for her to enjoy the meal.

“Where would you like to begin our work here, Virginia?” Lucas asked when she put her fork aside.

“The steward should arrive soon.” She dropped her hands to her lap and kept them still, though she felt more like rubbing them down her skirts. “I think the best place to conduct that meeting will be in the study.”

“Excellent.” Lucas stood and dropped his napkin on the table. He came to her side before the footman could move to assist her from her chair. Lucas took the task upon himself, then gestured for her to lead the way from the room.

Virginia showed him down the hall, pointing out closed doors to him, telling him what lay behind each. “That is the music room. There is the parlor. Here is the study.” She put her hand to the handle and hesitated, thinking of the last time she’d been inside that room.

“You almost expect him to be there,” Lucas said softly, standing close enough for her to feel his strength at her back.

She nodded, her eyes on the dark-stained wood, imagining the scene as it had been months and months before. Virginia had been summoned to the room by Charles, entered the door with a light step and a smile, and he’d been standing at the window behind the desk. He’d looked out over the courtyard at the rear of the house. The leaves had all changed color by then, beginning to fall.

It was in that room where he had told her they must go to Bath, for his health. Did he realize, even then, that he would never return to Heatherton Hall again?

Lucas’s steady presence at her back gave her the confidence she needed to push the door open and step inside.

The curtains were open, the windows too, allowing a gentle breeze to freshen the room. Ledgers were stacked upon the desk, as she’d requested. The bookshelves lining one wall were in good order. The room felt and smelled clean, not abandoned and forlorn as she thought it might be.

Virginia went to the desk, her hand coming to rest on a stack of account books.

Lucas went to the shelves first, giving her a moment to gather her emotions. She took in a deep breath and moved to one of the chairs across from where Charles had always sat to conduct business.

“I wouldn’t sit there.”

Lucas’s soft voice made her pause. She turned, raising her eyebrows at him in question.

“Your steward needs to understand who’s in charge here. Sit behind the desk.” He nodded to the tall-backed chair, bound in rich brown leather.

Virginia looked from the chair to Lucas. “But where will you sit?”

“I will stand behind you, my lady.” His lips tilted, his crooked smile gentle and teasing at the same time. “That is my place here. You are Phillip’s guardian, I am your husband. Together, we will see to it his inheritance is safe, but I am in an advisory role only.”

She tilted her chin up and tried for some levity. “Unless someone needs to be punched in the nose?”

Lucas’s smile grew, almost wickedly. “Of course, my lady. I will not hesitate should that become necessary.” He nodded to the chair again. “In the meantime, make yourself comfortable. Your steward must see you there, where you belong.”

She walked around the desk and sat down, feeling strange in the seat that had always been the baron’s. But not for long. Taking in a deep breath, the familiar scents of the room settled her. She could smell the tobacco from Charles’s favorite pipe, caught in the curtains most likely. The leather of the chair, the scent of books and furniture polish, hung around her in a comforting embrace.

Resting her hands on the desk before her, Virginia’s eyes lingered on the ink blotter and the fresh pens laid out for her use. How many times had she entered this room to see Charles bent over correspondence, or reading? He would look up at her, his brown eyes lighting up, and put everything aside to speak with her.