How to Marry an Earl (A Cinderella Society 1)

“She forgets I am the duke and I give the orders.”

“No one could forget that, you remind us daily.”

“Impertinent.”

“You taught me everything I know.”

Persephone drew her arm through the duke’s. “Your Grace, could I trouble you for some tea,” she said. “With brandy, preferably. I’m feeling rather tired.”

He patted her hand, distracted from Priya who rolled her eyes. “Of course, my dear. We’ll all go inside. I’ve already summoned the constable.”

Conall nodded. “Thank you. I’ll wait in the stables.”

“You won’t,” the duke argued. “You will come fortify yourself and clean yourself up before you head off to London. The lads can watch him for an hour.”

“Let me secure him with proper rope first,” Conall said.

“Fine, fine. I have breakfast waiting in the library. I thought we could avoid the guests and keep the fuss to a minimum.”

The duke strolled back into the house surrounded with ladies in various states of disarray but still dressed for the ball. “My pigeons,” he said, mistily.

Tamsin rolled her eye. “First doves, now pigeons.”

“Swans then.”

“Swans? Honestly.”

The duke smiled at her. “You have no idea how vicious swans can be under all those pretty feathers.”

Pastries, fruits, andpots of tea, chocolate and coffee had been brought to the library. Silver serving dishes kept the eggs warm as well as bacon, ham, and trout. The Cinderellas fell on it with the kind of furor generally reserved for bears in springtime. “Goodness,” the duke said, amused as a grape rolled across the table and onto the floor. “Did I say swans? Surely I meant vultures.”

Persephone ate another pastry and put too much sugar in her tea. It helped with the shaking of her hands and the light-headedness. Eggs and cheese took care of the rest of the agitation.

“I didn’t know crime made one so hungry,” Tamsin said, attacking a thick slice of ham.

“You were all brilliant,” Persephone said. “Thank you.” She pushed her plate away and drank more tea, this time with a splash of brandy. It warmed the chill threatening to take up residence in her bones.

“What happens now?” Meg asked. “I didn’t think earls could be arrested.”

“Not generally,” the duke replied. “They make an exception for treason. He’ll be tried by the House of Lords. And I’ll be there,” he added darkly. “To add my verdict.”

“As will I,” Conall added, joining them at the table. The bustle from the hallway muffled as the door closed behind him. The housemaids would be running up and down the stairs, the footmen filling the dining room sideboard with food and folded newspapers. Conall sat next to Persephone. “Have another crumpet,” he said softly, placing one on her plate before helping himself.

She smiled. “Is this our tradition, then? Crumpets after crime?”

“It would seem so.” His smile was warm if a bit distracted. “Let’s stick to crumpets alone next time.”

She wanted to lean into him, with his hair wet from washing and the energy that radiated from him.

“Is he well secured?” the duke asked.

“Yes, as well as can be. He woke up, so I gagged him.”

“Good.

They ate until only crumbs and the bitter traces of tannin in the teapot remained. “We fair demolished that,” the duke said. “We must keep up our strength. We’ve a festival to run, after a good rest.”

“And I should go,” Conall said, rising from his chair. He bowed to the duke and then to the table at large. They turned discreetly away as Persephone followed him to the other end of the library. She felt suddenly and oddly shy. He was leaving and she might not see him for a long time. They had accomplished what they had set out to accomplish. Henry was vindicated and the men Conall had found lying on that battlefield had some justice. It would not bring them back, but it might make it easier for their families.