The Conundrum of a Clerk

by Sande, Linda Rae

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Oh, do tell,” she replied, one of her arms wrapped about his as she leaned against him.

  Despite the dark, George allowed a grin as the horse pulled the barouche into the Drury Lane traffic. “Teddy is most taken with Miss Albright. I’m merely seeing to it they spend some time together,” he explained.

  “Do you think he’ll do what’s necessary to make her his wife?” she queried.

  Frowning, George regarded his wife’s coiffure for a moment—her face was pressed into the small of his shoulder—before responding. “Necessary?” he repeated. “And what might that be?”

  Elizabeth lifted her head from his shoulder and gave him a quelling glance. “Why, he has to seduce her, of course,” she replied.

  George seemed to deflate at hearing her words. “I rather doubt Teddy will do such a thing.”

  “Why ever not?”

  Inhaling slowly, George wondered how something so obvious to him could be invisible to her. “He has one arm, my sweet, and he’s rather—”

  “Full of nonsense. I can assure you, it matters not to Miss Albright.”

  George stared at his wife. “What do you know?”

  Elizabeth angled her head back into the small of his shoulder and shrugged her own. “I watched her at tea today. I watched him, too. It will take little in the way of encouragement to get those two together. So either he has to seduce her, or she’ll have to seduce him.”

  Allowing a chuckle, George sighed. “Then my money is on her, because Teddy will not make it known he wishes to court her.”

  He had almost said, “Bed her,” but thought better of it. He hadn’t mentioned his conversation with Teddy about the man’s desire to take a mistress. That he wanted Miss Albright in the role.

  “Oh, come now. You don’t think Teddy will use tonight as an opportunity to... to make his wishes known?”

  George winced. “I don’t think he’s as brave as he used to be,” he murmured. Indeed, Teddy’s last foray into battle had him losing far more than just a limb. At least his confidence on the pisté had been restored. His confidence in his skills as a clerk restored.

  Now if his confidence as a man could be restored, Teddy might prove the perfect mate for Miss Albright.

  “Well, at least they’re in business together. Or rather, will be, once the papers are drawn up,” Elizabeth said.

  George straightened in the squabs, his arm tightening around Elizabeth. “What are you talking about?”

  Secretly pleased she knew something her husband did not, Elizabeth grinned. “It seems Mrs. Streater wasn’t a miser. Teddy’s inheritance is really the money necessary to cover a number of renovations she arranged prior to her death. Since he’s already spent some of it—”

  “Most of it,” George interrupted, a hint of alarm in his voice as he considered the items Teddy had claimed to have purchased since last Sunday.

  “—And there’s no longer enough, Miss Albright offered to invest in the school in exchange for a percentage of the ownership. She told me about it after the tea. After everyone else had taken their leave.”

  “And Teddy agreed?” he asked in disbelief.

  Elizabeth blinked. “Of course. What else could he do?”

  George gave a sound of derision. “He could have come to me. I would have loaned him the blunt.”

  Allowing a loud sigh, Elizabeth straightened and shook her head. “Oh, George. Don’t you see? If they’re to end up together, they need to be together. In every way.”

  George blinked. “I thought I was the one playing matchmaker here,” he murmured.

  Angling her head with new-found appreciation for her husband’s efforts, Elizabeth gave him grin. “Leaving them the town coach was a brilliant idea,” she said as she kissed him on the cheek. “And if what you claim is true about poor Mr. Streater, then I suppose Miss Albright will have to be the one doing the seducing.” She sighed. “Oh, if only I could be there when she informs him she’s going to seduce him.”

  George furrowed a brow. “It doesn’t really work like that, my sweet,” he said patiently.

  “It’s what you did with me,” she countered.

  Well, she had him there. “You had never been with a man before. I wanted to make it clear what I intended to do to you. Give you an ‘out’ should you come to your senses and realize just how ludicrous my plan was,” he explained.

  “I’m so glad I didn’t,” she replied with a happy sigh.

  “Didn’t what?”

  “Come to my senses, of course.”

  George grinned as he leaned over and kissed her quite thoroughly. “Going on three years now,” he teased. Before she could put voice to a protest, he kissed her again and continued to do so until the barouche pulled up to Bostwick Place.

  Now that he had her thoroughly aroused, he had plans to keep her that way the rest of the night.

  Chapter 34

  A Night of Wonder

  Meanwhile, at Teddy’s townhouse

  Despite his assurances he wasn’t going to fire her, Daisy couldn’t help but believe Teddy Streater would be forced to replace her if he gave a second thought to what they were about to do.

  If that happened, she supposed she could see Lady Bostwick about the matchmaking position. Given her background—and her understanding of men and what they wanted versus what they needed in a wife—she thought she could do a better job than most in selecting their mates. She could even site her success with Nicolas Barnaby and Charity Crofter.

  The thought of having to walk away from Warwick’s, just when she was sure everything was progressing smoothly, had her feeling a twinge of regret, though. She liked teaching. She liked her students. She liked her office and her small apartment.

  Daisy glanced over at Teddy, wondering if he, too, was having second thoughts about what they were about to do. She hoped he wasn’t. He couldn’t.

  Did he have any idea how her pulse increased whenever he entered the office? How her breasts swelled a bit? How her nipples tightened into buds and her breathing quickened?

  Just what was it about him that had her reacting so?

  Attraction?

  He was handsome in a rather rough-around-the-edges sort of way. How a dashing highwayman might look if he didn’t wear the ridiculous mask so many were described as sporting.

  Or was it lust?

  She couldn’t help how her body responded, nor could she pretend it didn’t. She couldn’t remember this kind of desire, not with the marquess, and certainly not for Alex.

  Or was it need?

  She had held four children in her arms this past week, and every time, she felt a yearning to have a baby. Even when she was expecting, she didn’t feel the sort of need she felt now.

  Well, no matter the reason, Daisy had decided she could at least help Mr. Streater in one regard.

  It had been too long since she had shared a bed with a man. And far too long since she had done so with a man to whom she felt any sort of attraction. Despite his lack of a right arm, Theodore Streater had her aroused in a manner she hadn’t experienced since the nights she had warmed the bed of the Marquess of Plymouth.

  She wondered for a moment if it was because Mr. Streater was fair and blond-haired, like her father, or if it was because he was pretending no woman on the earth would have him due to his missing limb.

  Or maybe because he believed that last bit.

  “Has it really been that long since you were with a woman?”

  “Isn’t that question a bit... personal?” Teddy countered, as if he hadn’t just answered it a few minutes ago.

  “It is,” she agreed with a nod. “But how am I to know what to do if you don’t remember how?”

  Teddy blinked. “If I don’t remember how?” he repeated, straightening so his arousal was suddenly apparent. “What are you talking about?”

  Daisy turned and placed her arm on his, making sure they were headed to his upstairs bedchamber rather than to the ground floor study. “Maki
ng love, of course.”

  He seemed to waver a bit. “I don’t think it’s something you can forget how to do,” he argued, just as the two reached the landing. “But I suppose... I suppose it’s possible to forget all the rest of it.” When he didn’t make a move in any particular direction—two staircases went in opposite directions—Daisy studied the Aubusson carpeting at their feet and followed the path of most wear.

  His response surprised her, but it also confirmed he was a bit addled. As a result, she wondered if she should pretend she was a virgin or if she should play the seductress.

  Daisy was still sorting what to do when he asked, “You are going to stay at Warwick’s, aren’t you?”

  She nodded. “Of course. I would be honored to continue as your headmistress. But if for some reason—” like what we’re about to do—“You had to let me go, I would probably apply for the position of matchmaker for Lady Bostwick’s new charity, but I’d really rather not,” she said, unable to hide the quaver in her voice. Damn, but she would miss Warwick’s if he let her go. She hadn’t considered just how much.

  “I’ll do no such thing,” he argued with a shake of his head. “I am the owner. I set the rules. And besides, we’re partners in the business now, remember.”

  Daisy gave a sigh of relief. Partners. She had given him the bank draft for her investment in the school when they were at Bostwick Place for the tea. She was part owner of the school now. A school she hoped would one day appeal to more than just the wealthy.

  “Can you abide a headmistress who would flaunt convention in favor of new ideas?” Daisy asked softly, climbing the steps slowly in favor of delaying their arrival at the top of the stairs.

  “New ideas?” he repeated.

  “Maybe encourage more of the middle class to send their girls instead of just wealthy cits?”

  Teddy considered the query. “I certainly don’t expect Warwick’s to remain the same as when my mother was in charge,” he replied, an eyebrow arching. “Mrs. Streater was always after daughters of the aristocracy to attend, thinking they provided some kind of cachet for the school. But aristocrats don’t send their daughters to finishing schools,” he murmured. “They educate them at home.”

  “When they can,” Daisy agreed. “But sometimes, like in the case of Lady Annalise, they cannot, and so they send them to Warwick’s. I don’t intend to turn them away, of course, but I also wish more girls could be educated. The less fortunate.”

  Although he despised the country that had caused him to lose so many comrades-in-arms—as well as his own arm—Teddy had no argument with those who sought to overthrow the arrogant rich. He dealt with them every day at the bank.

  Despite his recent inheritance, which would certainly rank him among the almost-rich, it was hard to think of himself as one of the wealthy. And he wouldn’t be for long if he wasn’t more careful about how he spent his money.

  Sudden wealth was a heady experience.

  Teddy took a deep breath. “There are those who believe if more are educated, they will realize how poorly run the country is, and they will revolt, much like the French did.”

  Daisy considered the comment, recognizing the theory of those who wanted only the elite to be educated. “I rather doubt the poor are going to attempt to overthrow the king,” Daisy said when she reached the top of the stairs.

  But Teddy was thinking about the young ladies who made up the current crop of students at Warwick’s. “Most of the girls are daughters of tradesmen,” he said, remembering the list of names on the register Daisy had provided him earlier that week. “Some are wealthy, of course, but most cannot claim a single duke, marquess, or earl as even a relative. Some will be lucky to land husbands who can afford to buy them a new wardrobe every season, let alone house them in splendor.”

  Daisy hid her astonishment at hearing his words. The majority of the students were daughters of wealthy cits—young ladies whose fathers were engaged in lucrative businesses or banking. Surely they wouldn’t have trouble in the marriage mart. Their dowries would be large enough to attract any number of suitors. They might even keep the couple living in more than modest means for the rest of their lives.

  But what if they didn’t land wealthy husbands upon their completion of finishing school?

  “If they cannot find husbands, what do you suppose they’ll do instead, Mr. Streater?” Daisy asked, again using a soft voice in an attempt to calm him.

  Teddy shook his head. “They can be governesses, or run an office much like Lady Bostwick does, or...” He allowed the sentence to trail off before he gave her a worried glance. “Become operatives for the Home Office or—”

  “Become mistresses?” she offered in a whisper, leading him down the hall in a slow stroll.

  Swallowing, Teddy shook his head. “I didn’t mean to imply their choices were so limited.”

  “Ah, but they are,” Daisy replied with a sigh. “Now, how can I expect you’ll continue to employ me given what we’re about to do, Mr. Streater?”

  Frowning, Teddy dared a glance around, realizing they were in front of his bedchamber door. “And what might that be?” he asked, his words sounding a bit strangled.

  “Why, we’re about to make love,” Daisy replied as she reached out for the door handle and pushed it down. “We do have the right bedchamber, do we not?” she asked as the door slowly opened.

  Teddy glanced down at her gloved hand, the one that had just opened the door to his bedchamber. “How did you know?” he asked, returning his attention to her face.

  “I merely followed the path in the carpet,” she replied with an arched brow. She made her way into the dark room. A single candle lamp was lit on a nightstand, and the remains of a fire lit long ago gave off a soft, golden glow from the fireplace. But the odors of freshly cut wood and varnish as well as wool made it apparent the bedchamber contained new furnishings and carpet.

  Teddy resisted the urge to say he would have to see to the hallway carpet when he found himself following her into his bedchamber. Damn his new valet, but the man had already seen to turning down the counterpane and the bed linens. A rather large expanse of white made it look as if he had been expecting company of a carnal sort. “I was not expecting this,” he said as he waved at the bed.

  “The bed?” Daisy asked, a hint of confusion crossing her face.

  “Well, the bed, yes,” Teddy said, giving his head a shake. “But not... not like this.”

  Angling her head as she surveyed his room—a rather richly decorated men’s bedchamber in dark blues with gold accents—Daisy gave an approving nod. “Your valet is to be commended. New to the position, isn’t he?”

  Frowning, Teddy asked, “How did you know?”

  Daisy gave a shrug. “There’s not a thing out of place. Not a stitch of clothing anywhere. Nor a shoe.”

  “I do have a dressing room,” he said, sounding a bit offended.

  “Which is also probably in perfect order, as well,” she countered. She dared another glance around the bedchamber, noting how new everything appeared. About to say something about new-found wealth, Daisy had to suppress the comment when Teddy held up a staying hand.

  “I admit. I... splurged a bit. Having lived the past two years well within my means and the year before that at the expense of my brother, I decided to replace the old furnishings,” he explained. He didn’t add that he had purchased the townhouse from his brother.

  “In the whole house?” Daisy asked in alarm.

  “Just in here,” Teddy said.

  Daisy furrowed a brow. “Because you were... expecting me?” she guessed, her voice tinged with a tease. “I am honored.”

  He furrowed a brow. “Truth be told, I’m not even sure why I did it,” Teddy countered. “I never thought... I never really thought anyone other than me would see it. Or my valet, I suppose.”

  He had hoped a particular someone would see it, though. Eventually. That she happened to be standing next to him just a day after the new furnishings had b
een delivered struck him more as a coincidence than a deliberate attempt at seduction. He felt a good deal of satisfaction when he noted how she openly admired the pieces.

  Daisy wondered at his words. “But you had hope?” she asked in a quiet voice. To have replaced all the furnishings in the room—the carpet, too—suggested he was trying to impress someone.

  That thought led her thoughts in an entirely different direction, and the sense of disappointment—nay, jealousy—she felt, had her struggling to breathe. How could I have been such a fool? she wondered as she realized there could be only one reason he would do such a thing. “Does your mistress approve?” she asked quietly.

  Teddy frowned and shook his head. “I’ve not had the pleasure of such an arrangement,” he replied, closing his eyes tightly when he realized exactly what he had said.

  Daisy felt a combination of relief—for herself—and sorrow for him. Apparently what he claimed in the coach was true—he hadn’t been with a woman since the war.

  “What about your wife?” It was possible he had remarried, she considered.

  “Late wife,” he countered quickly. “I think she would have approved, although...” He sighed. “It’s been some time.”

  No mistress. No wife. There was nothing to stop her from completing her mission that night.

  Unless he did.

  Daisy placed her valise next to the nightstand nearest to where she stood and then faced him. “Was she the last woman you were with?” she asked, her words gentle.

  Teddy closed his eyes again and finally allowed a nod. “I got back from the Continent just after Gertrude died. I thought about turning around and heading back. Find another war. Thought perhaps I could join her quicker that way, I suppose.”

  Daisy gave a thought to taking her leave. The widower obviously still held Gertrude in high esteem if he wanted to hasten his own death. “And now?” she asked in a whisper.

  Teddy swallowed. “I’m having second thoughts?” The way he ended the comment with a question had Daisy allowing a slight grin.