Page 30 of When a Duke Desires a Lass

Tobias pressed his lips to the crown of her head.

“Do not, for an instant, consider that I find ye at fault in any way, Emily, or that I would ban ye from Avery’s presence. Ye’ve told the tale that ye have to protect yourself and Justina. I cannot fault ye for that.”

Before Emily could respond, footsteps echoed in the corridor. She straightened and put a respectable distance between her and Tobias. He grabbed two sandwiches and scooted a foot away, where he disposed of the snack in short order.

The man certainly did like his sandwiches.

Pepperford entered, carrying a silver salver.

“A missive has arrived from Miss Levingtone. I presumed you might wish to read it at once, Your Grace.”

“Thank you, Pepperford.”

Tobias lifted the rectangle and, after breaking the dark green wax seal, swiftly read the contents.

The butler turned to Emily.

“Do you require anything, Mrs. Grenville? More hot tea? Almond biscuits?”

“No, but I thank you. Please tell the cook everything is delicious. The almond biscuits are some of the best I’ve ever tasted. So light and buttery. Simply scrumptious.”

“She will be pleased to hear it.” He offered a kindly smile, which gave him an elfin appearance, before departing at the same sedate pace he’d entered.

“It seems you’ve won over my butler, Emily. An admirable feat, indeed.”

“How so?” Flicking a crumb off her lap, she gave him an inquisitive glance.

After a furtive glance toward the door, Tobias leaned in and whispered, “Pepperford does not smile. There must be a ridiculous rule about majordomos needing to be stiff, pokery, solemn, and dignified.” He winked. “To terrify the rest of us into doing their bidding.”

She chuckled and set her serviette aside. “They do have a way of doing that, don’t they? And knowing absolutely everything that goes on in the household.”

Everything?

The thought rooted her to her seat.

Good Lord.

She sent a frantic look toward the empty doorway.

Pepperford couldn’t have known she and Tobias had kissed.

Could he have?

Did that account for his genial manner toward her?

Saints above, did the majordomo erroneously believe there was something between her and Tobias? There was a physical attraction, to be sure, but not anything more.

Nodding and oblivious to her inner turmoil, Tobias lifted the foolscap and gave it a short shake. “Avery is at the Duchess of San Sebastian’s.”

No surprise there.

Emily couldn’t be happier that Avery was becoming such good friends with Justina. They were near in age, and neither had sisters. They filled a void in one another’s lives, and it couldn’t hurt Avery’s chances for a successful launch into Society to have been befriended by multiple duchesses.

“After their outing, the women were chilled and decided tea was appropriate,” he said.

In England, tea was always the answer.

“Reluctant to have their time together end, they’ve planned an impromptu dinner party. I am to consider this my invitation,” Tobias said, laying the note aside. “Avery will borrow a gown from the duchess.”