An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(54)
“I know, but I learned early that to work meant I must toil harder than any man. Besides, the late Lord Templeton’s affairs are rather complicated. If I kept to their hours, I might never understand before my hair was streaked with gray.”
Her mother stood and drew close. “Just don’t stare at that chicken scratching pretending to be handwriting for too long. You’ve barely glanced out the window today.”
Theodora sat back immediately and glanced up at the ceiling, then left and right, with only her eyes. If she worked for too long in one stretch, her vision had the troubling habit of becoming blurred by the end of the evening. “Thank you for reminding me.”
She stood and stretched, moving to the front windows to peer out. “Another carriage is leaving.”
Soot began to bark and whine when the door opened behind her.
Her employer slipped into the room, frowning as he shut the door behind him to keep Mama’s dog from running off into other parts of the house.
“Captain William Ford called again and stayed a while,” Quinn advised after greeting the dog. He joined Theodora at the window.
Theodora smiled at her employer but noted he wore an unusually guarded expression. “The captain is your cousin, is he not?”
“First cousin,” Quinn nodded, drawing near. “We are close.”
Theodora returned to the desk, sidestepped the enthusiastic puppy who wanted her to play, and drew out her personal journal. She made a note for herself to learn everything she could about Captain William Ford. Quinn relied on memory in general, but with his added responsibilities, there likely would be a great many small matters unintentionally forgotten. Family affection should not be a casualty of his elevation.
He followed her, his fingers discreetly skimming her arm, out of sight of her mother. “How are you surviving here?”
Her senses tingled. Lusting after her employer wasn’t the done thing, but she had to admit it was a splendid way to pass the time. Quinn’s presence always put her in a good mood. “Very well, although I think Mama found today very dull.”
“Not dull at all. I’ve had the advantage of watching two grown men try to make sense of my daughter. I don’t think they’ve ever seen a woman so interested in legal documents before.”
“I’m glad one of us is.” He sighed, moved to a sideboard. “That is what my future will be. Dull and tedious paperwork and parliamentary debate for years on end.”
“Fascinating.” Theodora crossed the room and immediately took the decanter from his hand. “Don’t drink from this one. Move the five books to the right on the bookshelf beside you. I believe your father kept the best brandy stashed away, out of sight of visitors.”
Quinn grunted and shifted to the side. He moved the fake books aside and uncovered a decanter that matched the ones on display. “Typical of him. How did you discover this little secret?”
“Mr. Kemp sampled a glass from there after luncheon, and made certain to hide it again as I returned. He then pretended to top up his glass from one of the displayed bottles, and I concluded he wanted to try to keep it a secret still.”
“He will underestimate you at his own peril, my dear.” He smiled suddenly. Quinn moved the good brandy to the sideboard and switched the previously displayed one into the secret hiding place. He glanced her way, eyes dancing with mirth. “A little fun.”
Theodora nodded encouragingly, glad to see a spark of mischief in her employer’s eyes. He might be an earl now, but there was no reason he needed to be serious all the time. He shouldn’t have to change his nature. She liked him just as he was. “Here, my lord, come and look at this.”
“If there is nothing else I’m needed for, my lord, Theodora, I should like to retire upstairs for a while,” Mama interrupted, Soot tucked firmly under her arm.
Theodora smiled at her mother, pleased she’d remained downstairs so long. She had taken Quinn’s request very seriously to act as chaperone, and to be visible about doing so, until now. “Of course, thank you for your company today, Mama.”
“Yes, thank you, Mrs. Dalton. I am sorry to have forced you into company during your mourning period.”
“I do understand.”
She left, speaking to Soot about rest time, using the servant’s entrance to move through the house instead of the main stairs.
Quinn drew another circle on Theodora’s upper arm. “Is she all right? Is she comfortable?”
“Yes, I think so. Soot has cheered Mama considerably, and I am glad she ventures from her room. She even conversed a little with Mr. Sever after luncheon.”
“I hoped as much,” he whispered. Quinn continued to tease her arm, gently skimming her skin the way he would often do at night when they lay sated in each other’s arms. There were still many hours until she would retire to bed, and she was suddenly restless. She should not think about intimacy so early in the afternoon.
“Now,” Theodora said, flourishing her journal before him. She discussed the day’s findings, her concerns that needed investigation, and waited for his response.
Quinn’s teasing touch fell away as he pointed to the St. James property. “I have a recollection of him directing his driver there a few months ago, as I left his carriage, but I’m not aware of who lives there.”
“Ah,” Theodora said carefully. She drew a breath, prepared to broach a delicate subject that had been on her mind the last few days. “I know this is an awkward topic but…what is to be done about mistresses? Did he have any that you know of? Do you wish to continue supporting your father’s, and your own, too?”