The Offer (Baron 2)

“So, you’ve come.”

He gave her a mocking bow and smiled at her, showing his teeth. “Of course. I trust you’ve taken good care of my wife.” Now he would find out what Sabrina had told her damned sister. He waited, all calm and composed, an eyebrow arched.

“She only arrived yesterday evening, my lord. She went immediately up to her grandfather. I’ve scarce had time to even s

ee her. I doubt she even left his room last night.”

“Well, that wouldn’t be surprising, now would it, Elizabeth?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, my lord.”

“Don’t you now? A very beautiful young girl just might fear becoming a victim to roaming villains in the halls. She could be afraid that one of those villains might try to break into her bedchamber.”

“That’s ridiculous. There are no roaming villains here. But were I to guess, I would have to say that your metaphor was rude.”

“It wasn’t a metaphor.”

She froze. He waved his hand. “All right, no more, Elizabeth. The earl continues to improve?”

Elizabeth got hold of herself. She even managed to shrug. “Naturally. Everyone lives and breathes to see that he continues to do so. He will outlive all of us. I will be the Countess of Monmouth, yet sometimes I wonder if I will enjoy it if I only gain it when I’m an old woman.” She shrugged again. “Undoubtedly the arrival of his precious Sabrina has made him feel even better.”

“I’ve found that Sabrina’s presence enlivens the spirits of most around her. Where is she, Elizabeth?”

“With the earl, I would imagine. As I told you, she hasn’t left his rooms, as far as I know.”

“I should be delighted to escort his lordship to the earl, my lady,” Ribble said.

Elizabeth merely waved them away.

“Perhaps I shall see you later,” Phillip said as he turned to follow Ribble up the great staircase. “Oh, I should also enjoy seeing your sterling husband again. Does he flourish?”

“He will always flourish.”

Was that a note of bitterness he heard? “That’s a pity,” he said. “But you know, I’m not surprised.”

Phillip dismissed the butler with a pleasant smile and knocked on the earl’s door.

“My lord!”

“Good day to you, Jesperson. How goes the earl?”

“Ah, the laughter I’ve heard since Lady Sabrina returned. He is smiling again and he has so much more strength. Don’t get me wrong. He will be very happy to see you as well, I’m sure of it.”

Phillip wasn’t quite as sure as Jesperson was, but he only nodded. He wondered what Sabrina had told her grandfather.

As they walked through the sitting room to the bedchamber beyond, Phillip asked quietly, “You’ve had no interference in your care of the earl?”

“None whatsoever, my lord, not since you and the marquess came to see Master Trevor.”

“So the little worm has kept his distance?”

“A very goodly distance,” Jesperson said, and grinned widely. “I hear him carp and whine outside the door, but he never tries to push his way in.”

“Is my wife with the earl now?”

“No, my lord. He sent her away about an hour ago. Wanted her to get some color in her cheeks, he said. She’s always loved the outdoors.”

“She’s riding?” Phillip asked. “It’s very cold outside, Jesperson.”