The Duke and I (Saints and Sinners 1)

Nicolas shuddered. Flowers and women were unwanted in this room, and his oldest daughter knew his wishes but still persisted in trying to change things. Perhaps there was merit in considering taking a wife who might just do things his way once in a while.

He smiled, wishing he could forbid his daughter from bothering him about a matter he had well in hand, but however opinionated Rebecca might have become, she was still family. Family mattered to Nicolas very much. “The carolers are coming up from the village. We must greet them.”

“Wait just a moment,” she cried out.

Nicolas strode away, called his guests to order, and announced the impending arrival of the carol singers.

Jessica rushed toward him, already rugged up against the cold and clearly excited. “Oh, I love Christmas, Papa.”

“I know, Little Mouse.” He threw his arm around Jessica’s shoulders, hugged her to his side, and then looked for Mrs. Thorpe.

The raven-haired companion was still some distance away but already smothered in coat, gloves, woolen scarf and knitted cap until only a little of her face could be seen. “Shall we?”

He earned a tiny smile from Thorpe, who remained at his side as they strode out into the cold along with his family and guests. The steps soon filled to overflowing.

As they waited for the carolers to begin, he felt an absence and glanced around. Mrs. Thorpe had stopped a few paces behind him. He gestured her forward to stand beside Jessica. “You won’t see a thing loitering there.”

“I would be happy just to listen, your grace,” she said with a shake of her head.

“Nonsense.” He placed his hand on her back and positioned her to his right, just before him. “There now. You can see everything with Jessica far better from here.”

She shivered, glancing over her shoulder to where his hand remained on her coat.

“My apologies.” Nicolas quickly put his hands behind his back, slightly embarrassed. He did not ordinarily manhandle his female staff.

Mrs. Thorpe exchanged a quick smile with Jessica, and the pair huddled closer.

Nicolas let out a sigh of contentment. Mrs. Thorpe might just be the perfect companion. He’d felt it from he start. Quiet and kind, indulgent but not easily swayed by Jessica’s impetuous habits. She was always ready to laugh at his poor jokes, too, and never put herself forward. In all the time he’d known her, before and after her employment in his household, she’d never once given him any encouragement. He had become curious about her past recently, though. After having her under his roof for so many months without incident, he’d grown comfortable around her as he was with few women.

Nicolas leaned forward. “How are you enjoying the evening?”

“This has been the perfect Christmas,” Jessica promised, full of her usual enthusiasm for everything that had to do with making merry.

Mrs. Thorpe held her tongue. Nicolas softly nudged her with his elbow, in case she’d not realized the question was meant for her too. It was important to him that the woman in charge of his daughter was happy. “Mrs. Thorpe?”

“I… Oh, yes.” Her eyes darted away, and a frown turned down her lips in a brief but telling moment as she looked toward Rebecca. She smiled brightly. “I am having a wonderful time.”

Now, what was this? A lie? Never in all the time she had been working for him had Mrs. Thorpe been anything less than forthright with her opinions. But the last time Rebecca had come to stay, he’d been aware of a little tension between the two women. He’d hoped the reason for that had passed. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” she assured him as the carolers began to sing.

Jessica leaned against him, and by dint of proximity, Mrs. Thorpe did too, to some degree. He held his daughter close to his chest, full of love for his last child, but was acutely aware that Mrs. Thorpe stood close and wasn’t fully enjoying herself. He would talk to her about it after dinner and find out if his children had been meddling in their arrangement regarding Jessica’s care again.

He shivered as a chilling breeze sprung up and snow swirled about them all. Nicolas could not afford to lose Mrs. Thorpe. Not when he needed her loyalty most.

Chapter 2

“Why do I have to sit in a stuffy room full of old people?” Lady Jessica exclaimed as she brushed aside the helping hands of her maid and flopped into a fireside chair.

Long used to such outbursts, Gillian Thorpe, the girl’s companion of nearly nine months, hurried across the room to slip her finger under Jessica’s chin and lift her gaze. “My dear, we discussed this. His grace agreed to host a house party so you might have more opportunities for making polite conversation

before your season begins. Be reasonable. You know how much he dislikes Christmas. We must go back downstairs, even if it’s only to wish everyone pleasant dreams.”

The girl scoffed. “You mean I must exchange dull pleasantries that make my sister happy, too.”

“Well, yes.” Gillian winced. Mrs. Warner, Lord Stapleton’s daughter, was extremely hard to please. For all that she was an infrequent visitor at the Stapleton estate, she behaved as if this was still her home and issued orders left and right. Often going against the dukes wishes, which was where trouble always sprung from between them. “She is your sister.”

“You can have her,” Jessica grumbled.