Page 42 of Adeline

Jasper opened his eyes and glanced in the direction of George’s voice to find him standing in the open doorway of the coach. Jasper’s mind had wandered so far he hadn’t noticed the conveyance had pulled to a stop, nor George climbing down from his post, or the opening of the door and the light that flooded the interior.

“We have arrived, m’lord.”

“As I can see.” He departed the carriage and glanced up at the three-story townhouse before him. If he’d been here in his youth, he had no recollection of it. “Do you think the servants will be shocked?”

“I won’t be say’n that, but happy they certainly be.”

Happy? To meet a lord they’d never served? To remain all but forgotten in London as Jasper continued on at Faversham?

No, he could not fathom them being happy about getting called into action with no warning by an absent master.

“Let us get on with this,” Jasper mumbled. “I have agreed to attend Miss Adeline’s birthday celebration, and it is imperative I am ready before tomorrow eve.”

Before he reached the set of double doors, they swung open.

Jasper narrowed his eyes, praying they would adjust quickly to the dim interior of the home, to see who stood within.

“Lord Ailesbury? Is that you?” a voice called out. “Well, I’ll be a holly sprig in July.”

A familiar voice. A comforting voice. A voice that even after all these years, Jasper could never forget.

“Conover?” Jasper’s chest tightened, afraid he’d mistaken a distant memory for the present. “It cannot be.”

“It is, my lord, it surely is.” His father’s valet stepped over the threshold of Kebberstone Townhouse, and Jasper wrapped the man in a tight embrace.

“I had no idea you were in London.” Jasper had wondered for years what had happened to his father’s most trusted servant. “I must admit, I am overjoyed to see you.”

“And you, my lord,” Conover bowed. “You have grown into a fine man, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

“I don’t mind at all,” Jasper said with a chuckle. “And your wife, is she within?”

The man nodded, his jowls jumping up and down. “She is, she is. She took over the housekeeping here at Kebberstone. And Mrs. Bays moved with us, too.”

At the mention of Mrs. Bays, his old nursemaid, his stomach rolled, and unease filled him. Her husband, who’d served as the steward in Faversham, died in the fire—because Jasper had been too weak to save him. Unable to save anyone.

He’d always wondered what had happened to the woman. He’d been too young to question her disappearance then, but as he aged, Jasper had assumed she returned to her family—perhaps even remarried and had children.

“We are pleased you are here, my lord.”

Jasper clasped the man on his shoulder as they turned to enter the house. “You might not say that after you hear what is needed and with all due haste.”

“Oh, I assure you, nothing will lessen our excitement to be of service to you, Lord Ailesbury.”

A line of servants stood at attention in the foyer, though Jasper was unsure when they’d been summoned or how they all arrived so quickly. He smiled to Mrs. Bays and Conover’s wife and nodded to several others who were vaguely familiar to him from his youth.

“Delilah, have a room readied for Lord Ailesbury. The master’s room,” Conover commanded. “My lord, can I presume you still enjoy duck soup and apple pie?”

He hadn’t seen the servant in nearly fifteen years, and the man had never been responsible for Jasper, yet he remembered his favored childhood meals.

“Yes, you presume correctly.”

“I will have Cook prepare both.” Conover beamed. “Is there aught else I can do for you, my lord? A bath, perchance? Or…a drink. Yes, I can have whatever liquor you favor brought to…the study, the library, or your chambers—immediately.”

Jasper chuckled, a weight lifting from his shoulders. “Neither is necessary. I am in need of a tailor, though. I have been invited to a ball tomorrow night, and I have need of proper attire.”

Conover tapped his chin in thought. “Well, I can summon—“

“I have been given the name and directions for a tailor favored by Lord and Lady Melton if that helps,” Jasper offered. “I know this is short notice, but I will also need other assorted shirts and trousers, for I have little idea how long I will stay in London.”