The Lady’s Secret Read Online Free

were perfection, and with one lock of her dark hair falling down and her cheeks slightly flushed from the wine, she looked delectable.
    He really shouldn’t feel so—uninterested. He stifled a sigh. It had been ages since his interest had been truly caught. He wasn’t even sure what the thing was that he wanted, only that it seemed to be missing from every woman he met lately.
    “That was a lovely supper.” Lily smiled brightly and picked up her wine glass, taking a small sip and setting it back down.
    Nathan smiled back but said nothing. After a moment of silence, Lily looked down at her empty dish. Evidently she decided that the cutlery wanted neatening. She lifted her fork and spoon and set them down again at a more precise angle.
    Another smile.
    Another sip of wine. Was she nervous?
    “So, you are to spend Christmas at Lord Dunsmore’s estate,” she said. “Have you known him a long time?”
    “Yes, he’s an old university friend—like Osborne. Not an especially close friend these days, but I see him at Brookes regularly enough.”
    “I understand he has a lovely house. That it’s very—” She paused, a long pause that dragged as she looked upwards, searching for a word, her expression becoming a little pained. At last she added, “—well-staffed.”
    Nathan almost laughed at the dullness of her conversational gambit. “Yes, I believe so.”
    She continued gamely on. “It must be very hard to staff such a large home.”
    He forced himself to respond. “It’s true. Staffing problems are a difficulty. I should know.”
    She widened her eyes. “Oh?”
    “Unfortunately, I am having such problems as we speak. My valet is leaving me and I really don’t know how to replace him.”
    “Has he been with you long?” Lily asked, her blue eyes beginning to glint.
    Even though he had no real interest in her, he was still pleased to have coaxed her out of herself. “Jarvis has been my valet for fourteen years. And he has grown used to my ways. I dread the prospect of training a new man.”
    “Your ways?”
    “I detest chatter,” he confided. “I put up with enough of it from the rest of the world—in my club, in the park, at balls and parties. The one time I can have peace is when I am in my own rooms. Jarvis observes my golden rule, which is that I must have silence in the morning.”
    “Is that all?”
    “Not quite. I am also particular about the person of my valet.”
    She raised her eyebrows in a knowing way and he laughed.
    “No, not like that. What I meant is that I have certain standards. A gentleman spends a great deal of time with his valet each day and I cannot abide a person who smells like a pig or whose palms are damp.”
    “Do I take it you have seen a number of candidates?”
    “Eight.”
    Her lips twitched. “And none suit?”
    “I’m afraid not.”
    The wry amusement in her face faded, chased away by a thoughtful frown.
    “Actually…” She gave him a considering look. A moment later she began again. “This is very coincidental—” She stopped. “No, I couldn’t. It would be an imposition.”
    He leaned back and eyed her for several moments as she frowned into the middle distance, thinking. “Are you aware of someone looking for a position?” he asked at last.
    She turned wide blue eyes on him. “Yes, I am. It’s strange, I know, but I do happen to know of an exemplary young man who is seeking employment as a valet. My cousin.” She paused, then added, “Twice removed. A very superior young man.”
    “Does he have any experience?”
    “Indeed he does. However, I ought to mention that his last position ended badly and he has no reference. His last employer—whom I cannot name for reasons that will become plain—” she paused theatrically, “—importuned him most shamefully.”
    “Importuned?” He loaded his voice with a mocking inflection. “What do you mean?”
    She gave him a level stare. “You are a man of the world. I think you know very well what I