Guarding the Spoils (The Wild Randalls 3)

He met her gaze, still struggling to see her as the mother of Turner’s child. “The boy escaped my notice.”

She licked her bottom lip and then splayed her bare fingers over the desk surface. Oliver noticed the absence of a wedding band on her left hand and wondered when and why she had stopped wearing it when she had proudly displayed one on her delicate fingers a dozen years before.

Her fingers tapped. “And how exactly did he come to your notice?”

He would not admit how. To do so would confirm that he was, at times, unobservant. “Where did you walk to today?”

Her brows rose. “Were you watching us?”

Oliver nodded.

“The existence of the boy surprised me. I dislike surprises.”

Elizabeth’s thick eyelashes fluttered as if she’d considered rolling her eyes and at the last minute thought better of it. Puzzled by her behavior, he settled into the creaking chair, resting one elbow on the chair arm as he studied her. Since many people had commented that they disliked his scrutiny, he accepted his behavior might make her uncomfortable. However, it wasn’t in his nature to rest until a puzzle was solved. His curiosity about the boy would only grow if he did not satisfy it now.

Eventually, she drew in a breath, a jerky inhale, and shrugged. “I went to see Mrs. Clayton. She’s become a friend.”

Oliver sorted through his memory, brought Mrs. Clayton’s image to the forefront, and then dismissed her. “She has a daughter.”

Elizabeth looked up. “Mary Clayton married and moved away. Mrs. Clayton rarely sees her nowadays. I think she’s rather lonely and likes to be visited.”

Oliver nodded slowly. “That is the way of things. People’s own concerns must take precedence over past emotional ties.”

A muscle in Elizabeth’s jaw clenched as she pressed her lips together. She shook her head. “Not for everyone, sir. Now, if there is nothing else, I have much work to do.”

Oliver sat up. “I’ve angered you. How?”

This time, Elizabeth did roll her eyes. “Whatever could you say to upset a woman?” She stood, rounded the desk, and yanked the door open to the hall. The next moment, she yelped. “How long have you been standing there?”

Curious, Oliver turned his head slightly and spied Miles Colby, his brother’s valet, standing at the door with his arms full of a tea tray. Oliver turned away, forcing his shoulders to relax. His discussion with Elizabeth was not going as well as he’d hoped. There should be a handbook written on how to deal with feminine creatures of her confusing nature.

“I was just about to knock and ask the new housekeeper if I can be of any assistance on her first official day,” Colby said. “But I fear I may not be the first to come courting your good opinion.”

Elizabeth’s soft chuckle filled the room and Oliver’s cheeks heated again. Perhaps he should retire before he sickened. He pressed his fingers to his wrist and counted the pulses until he was certain no significant change had overcome him.

“They have all been most kind,” Elizabeth murmured to Colby. “This would be my second tea tray this afternoon.”

China rattled. “Well, perhaps I can help you in other ways.”

Hearing Colby’s response, silky smooth with tones of imminent seduction, caused the hair at the back of his neck to rise. Colby was a single man and Elizabeth a widow. If she planned to take on the duties of Romsey’s housekeeper, an idea he deemed foolish, she must ignore flirtations from the male members of staff. An alliance of a romantic nature between a valet and housekeeper was out of the question. The other servants would not appreciate any appearance of favoritism.

Oliver stood and faced Colby. “You may set the tea tray down and return to your usual duties.”

Elizabeth’s cheeks had pinked slightly. Was she flattered by Colby’s rather obvious attempts to ingratiate himself into her company?

Colby smiled smoothly, and stepped into the room. “Excuse me, sir. I did not see you sitting there.” He slid the tray onto the table, a sly smile twisting his lips. He wiped it away as he faced Elizabeth. “Will there be anything else, Mrs. Turner?”

“Not for now, Mr. Colby.” She smiled, eyelashes fluttering a little. “Thank you for delivering the tea tray.”

“My pleasure.”

When Colby had gone, her smile dropped away. “I see you’re still as rude as ever.”

Oliver shrugged. “People do not change.”

She sighed. “Yes, I’ve heard you claim that before and in your case, I am sure you are correct. Did you apologize to Lady Venables for being so short with her at dinner last night?”

“No.”