House of Devon

by Tammy Andresen

  He gave a stiff nod, a question itching at his tongue but he didn’t quite know if it was proper to ask. Finally, he decided he didn’t care. “A housekeeper who grew up in horses? Forgive me but this story grows more intriguing.”

  Devon’s mouth pulled down. “She’s a vicar’s daughter. Her father was a good man but he had a serious vice. He liked to bet on horses.”

  Rex didn’t need the duke to finish. He understood and his chest tightened. Her father had left her financially ruined and Devon had taken her in. Who wouldn’t want to save such a lovely girl? Hell, even he’d had the urge just now. “She’s young to be a housekeeper?”

  Devon shrugged. “She’s intelligent, organized, and hard-working.” Then the man’s gaze slashed to Rex. “But I hope she doesn’t stay much longer. Abigail deserves a full life, if you ask me. Not one of a servant.”

  Rex’s eyebrows popped up. What did that mean? And why was the duke telling him all of this? “Yes. Well. We all get what we deserve in the end, I imagine.” He was muttering nonsense now, but he didn’t know what else to say to such a comment.

  The duke gave him a knowing smile. “I suppose we do. Now tell me, how did your mares fare the transport?”

  Rex and the duke spoke for ten more minutes before he made his way out to the barn again. As he walked, he pictured Abigail as she’d looked this morning and then last night. Her dark eyes were chocolate-brown with flecks of gold, her figure trim but curvy, the sort that would fit against a man just right.

  Perhaps he’d been too long without any company. He’d been so focused on starting his own breeding program, he’d hardly had time for relationships of any sort. But he knew it was more than that. He’d never experienced jealousy the way he’d experienced this morning. What he needed, was another opportunity to speak with her again and determine his next set of actions. He wasn’t a man who took long to make decisions. In fact, he was known for being ruthlessly decisive and that trait had served him well most of his life.

  His opportunity came sooner than he imagined when he saw her emerge from the kitchen, dressed in a bonnet and shawl. “Mrs. Franks,” he called. “May I have a word?”

  She stopped for a moment but then continued down the path. “Mr. Ableman, I’m afraid I need to get to the village. One of the children is ill and my sister has caught the ailment. All the maids are engaged in—”

  “Mrs. Franks,” he stopped her as she tried to pass him by. “If only you knew someone who could get you to the village quickly.”

  She gave him a long look, narrowing her gaze. “It’s close enough to walk.”

  “Faster to ride.” He quirked a brow.

  She sniffed, her nose going up in the air as she started walking again. “You know nothing about the reputation of a housekeeper.”

  He started to follow, unable to help himself. “And what of a vicar’s daughter? Would she ride with a stablemaster?”

  Her steps stalled. “How did you know my father was a vicar?” Her lips pressed together as she shook her head. “Why would His Grace tell you that?”

  He shrugged. “I’d hope you’d be able to enlighten me. It was a curious conversation to be certain.”

  She began walking then, lifting her skirts to just reveal her ankles as she made her way down the path. “You can walk with me then. If you’re so inclined. Otherwise your curiosity will have to go unsatisfied.”

  He started down the path after her. He had no intention of going unsatisfied.

  Chapter Three

  Abigail drew in several deep breaths. Every time she was near this man, she acted strangely. Her insides grew hectic and then she lacked composure. Stealing a quick glance over her shoulder, she noted that Mr. Ableman was just behind her, his gaze fixed on her back. “What is it you wish to ask?”

  With a single step, he moved next to her as they made their way down the path. He looked over at her as he rubbed his neck. “Did your father die in debt?”

  She gave a stiff nod. Abigail didn’t like discussing her father under any circumstances. “He was supposed to be a man of God.” She swallowed, standing straighter. The fact that he indulged in such a vice was appalling, that she’d nearly ended up in prison because of it made her sick to her stomach. How could her father have had so little control?

  Mr. Ableman reached out and gently brushed her shoulder. “How old were you?”

  She stopped then, swallowing a lump in her throat. “Sixteen.” She looked up to meet his gaze. “If not for the Duke of Devon I would have been out on the street, or in prison, or perhaps sold at auction like a—” She didn’t finish her sentence.

  He reached for her shoulders then. They were in a small section of wood that separated the estate from the village. No one else came or went on the path. Which was fortunate with the way he was touching her now. She should tell him to stop. She’d been short with him to keep him at bay but the feel of his hands, they eased some sort of ache inside her.

  “Tell me honestly, Abigail, what does the duke ask in return for his aid?”

  Her eyes crinkled. What was he asking? She looked at his tight jaw, the lines that had just appeared around his eyes, and suddenly she understood, and she gasped in a breath. “He asked that I be a hardworking and faithful employee, which I have done. He’s a happily married man, Mr. Ableman. If you were suggesting—”

  “Don’t be offended,” he replied quietly. “And call me Rex. Please understand I had to ask. You are uncommonly beautiful, young, and in a high position in his household. Add your education and intelligence…a man has to wonder.”

  “Why?” she fired back. She should be thankful that he was concerned. It was nice to have a man worry about her, especially one so strong and handsome, but she had to wonder what he hoped to gain?

  He shifted, dropping his hands from her shoulders. Then he cleared his throat. “I find that I like you a great deal. I’d be interested in pursuing a future with you.”

  That made her breath hiss from her mouth. “I’m a housekeeper. My life has been planned. Even if I wanted to leave, I owe the duke a large debt, both financial and personal.” The words hurt to speak. This amazingly handsome man wanted to pursue her? She pressed her gloved hands to her cheeks. There was so much more she wished to say and she found the words tumbling from her mouth. “But your interest is so…heartening. Lately I’ve the feeling that I was supposed to be someone else.”

  He stepped closer then, bringing his hands to her shoulders once again. This time, he didn’t grasp them but lightly trailed his fingertips down her sleeves, causing a shiver to run down her spine as goosepimples broke out on her arms. “Earlier today he told me the same thing. That you deserved more than this life. Are you certain he wouldn’t be amenable to you accepting a marriage proposal?”

  She looked up at him then as he stared down at her, his full lips parted and his breath, smelling faintly of mint, blowing across her face. “I’m not certain. I’ve never received a proposal and so I couldn’t be certain.”

  By way of answer, he leaned down and placed his lips on hers. It was soft and so light, for a moment, she wondered if she’d imagined the touch. But when her eyes fluttered open again, he was staring down at her with a small grin. “Abigail Franks, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Rex’s breath held in his lungs as he looked down at Abigail. Was he holding his breath because he’d shocked himself with that proposal or because he was afraid she’d reject his offer?

  She blinked up at him. “I…I…don’t know…anything about you.”

  Well. She hadn’t said no. He tightened his grip on her shoulders as he looked down in her eyes, hoping she’d see the sincerity written in them. “I own exactly two horses and one large piece of land that borders the dukes.”

  She gasped. “That’s so close.” Her hands came to his chest.

  “I’ve accepted this temporary job to earn the money to build my stables and perhaps my home and begin a breeding program that supports me and my family.” H
e gave her a meaningful look. “The next few years will be filled with a great deal of hard work but something tells me a woman like you is up for the challenge.” He realized that was one of the traits he most liked about her. She traipsed out to barns in the middle of the night to confront problems rather than running away from them.

  Her lips parted as she stared up at him. “I’m not sure what to say.”

  Again, she hadn’t said no. “Say you’ll consider my offer.”

  She gave a short nod. “I will.”

  “Good.” Then he slipped his hands down her arms once again. “What else would you like to know about me?”

  They started walking again, but her steps had slowed considerably. “As I know almost nothing, I suppose I want to learn…everything.”

  He laughed then. “Everything?” And then he cleared his throat. “I rode my first pony at the age of two. My father was the stablemaster for an earl. I’ve had the fever ever since then.”

  She stopped. “Do you bet on horses?”

  He knew where that comment came from and he wanted to touch her again but she needed his words this time. “I’ve never bet on a race a single time in my life. I am betting on myself currently, I suppose. That I can be more than a worker.”

  She stopped again. “I feel it in my bones that you can. You’ve got an air of both confidence and competence that has even a duke betting on you.”

  He gave her a grin then. He’d made the right choice, asking for her hand. “Let’s go get your sister’s medicine, shall we?”

  She nodded and this time, he slipped her hand in his, pulling her down the path. He didn’t know how she’d answer his proposal and that was all right for now. It gave him time to prove to her the man he was.

  Chapter Four

  That evening, Abigail sat next to one of the footmen, John, as he regaled the table with a story from his recent trip to London. He was a likable fellow, and attractive with brown hair and green eyes, and they’d struck up a bit of a friendship in her time at the house.

  Because of his position, he travelled often. As his story finished, she leaned closer, tapping his shoulder. “John. Can I as you a question?”

  “Please do,” he gave her a friendly smile, turning her way.

  “I…” he took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure who else to talk to or how much to reveal. “Do you like traveling to new places or is it frightening?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Most of the time it’s fun. Learning a new place can be daunting at times.” He scratched his chin. “But if you like adventure or aren’t afraid of a little hard work, the rewards are most usually worth it.”

  Abigail’s eyebrows went up. She could apply so much of that to her own situation. It was exactly the type of answer she’d hoped for. As dinner concluded, she began making the rounds about the house, her thoughts on Rex.

  His proposal had caught her off guard and his assurance that the duke would support the match even more so. As she passed through the gallery, she found herself at the duke’s office door, lit with several candles, as the man continued to work.

  Straightening her shoulders, she raised her hand and knocked on the partially open door.

  “Yes?” His deep voice made her pause. But she wouldn’t know until she asked.

  “Your Grace,” she called. “It’s Mrs. Franks. May I have a word?”

  “Come in,” he said and she heard his chair push back.

  She entered the room to find him standing behind his desk. Pressing her palms to the flat of her stomach, she drew in a deep breath. “Mr. Ableman sought me out today. He said you had a conversation about me.”

  The duke’s eyebrows rose. “We did indeed.”

  Her lip twitched as her fingers clenched. “May I ask why?”

  The duke pinched his chin as he assessed her. “The man is interested in you. I thought I’d hasten things along for both of you.”

  The man’s words completely took her by surprise. She reached out to grab the nearby chair, needing its support. “But you promoted me to housekeeper. Surely, I owe you a debt that I need to work off or—”

  His knuckles wrapped on his desk, cutting off her words. “You owe me no debt. I hired you because you are an excellent worker. Any money I spent clearing your name was a gift. One that I should give to people who need it more often. Now tell me, what else did our new stablemaster say, and be honest? I’ve been curious all day.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “He asked me to marry him.”

  “Good,” he knocked on the desktop one single time again. “Did you accept?”

  Her mouth opened and then closed and then opened again. “I hardly know the man. Besides, I came to speak with you first.”

  The duke’s shoulders relaxed, his face softening. “He’s a good one, if that’s what you’re worried about. Strong, hardworking, driven. Might be a bit hardheaded, but I have a feeling you can handle a man such as that.”

  “Your Grace,” she swallowed, attempting to clear her throat. “I can’t believe this. I thought…” She didn’t know what she’d thought. “Me? Married?”

  “If you decide to accept, you’ve my permission to host the ceremony in the chapel, a small breakfast afterward in the garden. It should be in bloom soon enough.”

  Yesterday, she’d been dreaming of a future, and today, it was here, right in front of her to take if she so desired. “Thank you, Your Grace.” With that she spun about and headed for the stairs. She knew what she needed to do.

  Rex brushed down one of the prize stallions in the barn, his methodical work soothing both the animal and himself. He’d never been opposed to marriage, he just hadn’t planned on proposing until the words had popped from his mouth.

  Now that he’d said them, however, he didn’t regret them. In fact, the rightness of the choice settled over his body like a heavy blanket. She was lovely, strong, used to hard work, cultured in a way that could only help his business grow.

  But something deep inside knew that it was more than that. The jealousy he’d experienced, the lightening in his stomach every time she drew near. He was falling in love.

  His parents had loved one another deeply. He shouldn’t be surprised that he too would make a love match. But at eight and twenty, he supposed he’d assumed his chance had already passed by.

  He grinned to himself, as he continued to work. Should he tell her of his feelings? Would they make her more or less likely to say yes?

  The door to the barn creaked open and he expected to see one of the stable hands leading in another stallion. Instead, Abigail stood in the halo of light the open door let into the dark interior.

  “Rex?” she asked hesitating to come further into the barn.

  She’d used his first name. That was a good sign. “Yes. It’s me,” he answered straightening from the horse. With a pat on the rump, he led the mare back to her stall. “Just give me a moment and I can give you my undivided attention.”

  She nodded as she twisted her hands together. “Thank you.”

  He couldn’t help it, nervous butterflies like he hadn’t experienced in years danced in his stomach. He shoved the feeling aside as he led the horse into his stall and then, hanging a grain bucket, exited the stall, latching the gate behind him. “What did you want to see me about?”

  She twisted her hands together. “I’ve thought a great deal about your offer.”

  “Have you? It’s only been a few hours.” Somehow, he wasn’t sure it boded well that she’d come to a decision already.

  “Sometimes that’s all it takes.” She took a step toward him then, hesitant and halting.

  His insides flipped again he reached for the saddle on the ground, needing to keep his hands busy. “There’s no rush. I’ll be here for three months at least, if not longer.”

  She took another step toward him. “I know that. It’s just that I’ve been here for three years and—” She drew in a deep breath. “I know what it is I want.”

  He grimaced, done with the sad
dle, he had no choice but to face her. His hands rested casually on his hips as though he weren’t frantic inside to hear what she’d say. “What is it that you want?”

  “Well…” She tapped her chin then. “For starters, I want to be close to my sister, Daisy. She’s all the family I have left in this world.”

  Damn. She was going to refuse him. He made a fist, digging his knuckles into his hip. “I understand that.”

  “And I owe the Duke and Duchess an immense debt of gratitude. I’d want to be there for them.”

  His brows drew low as he looked to the ground. “Also understandable.”

  “And the village. It’s been my home almost my entire life.”

  He didn’t even bother to agree this point, every muscle tensed waiting for her reaction.

  “How soon do you think you’ll have the house done for us to move into?”

  Chapter Five

  Abigail smiled, just a little, as his head snapped up in surprise. He’d caught her completely off guard earlier and she’d just returned the favor.

  “Soon,” came his rumbling answer. Then he started crossing the barn toward her. “The duke will likely allow me to keep the mares here. We’ll build the house first and then the barn.”

  She gave him a large smile, joy radiating from within her as she looked at him, listened to his answer. This man would be her husband. She could hardly believe it was true. “Really? Oh that’s so wonderful.”

  Rex reached her and swept Abigail into his arms, lifting her off the ground and spinning her about. Then he kissed her again. This time, it wasn’t soft. As his lips met hers, they were firm, passionate, demanding in a way that left her breathless for more. She’d made the right choice. Here in his arms, she was certain of that.

  Slowly, he lowered her feet back to the ground and then picked up his head. “We’ll have to stay here for at least three months while I finish out my post. Do you want to wait to marry until after that?”