Voices drew his attention to an opening at the back of the room blocked by a gold curtain. As he made his way toward it, Felicity’s giggle rose over masculine murmurs. Fury built in him, so white hot it scared him. I will kill any man dead who has lain with my wife! Whipping back the curtain he rushed into the room and then stopped in his tracks.
Felicity turned from a long counter with her arms full of fresh vegetables. The laughter on her face faded and her eyes grew wide when she spied him there. “Oh! William…um…my lord, what are you doing here?”
He took in the crowd of servants, including the butler, who gathered around. “I came home to find my wife and most of my staff missing. Would you care to explain just what is going on here?”
A shaky smile graced her lips and she darted an anxious look around at the startled servants. “I am sorry, my lord, I thought you would not mind if I borrowed them for a few hours.” She visibly swallowed. “That is, I did not think you would be home ’til tomorrow.”
“I can see that.” He glared at the lot of them and they dropped their gazes to the floor. “I did not expect to find my wife had moved out in my absence, nor stole my servants, who are supposed to be loyal to me.”
“Moved out?” Her brows dipped in puzzlement and her lips formed a pretty pout. “What are you talking about?”
He waved to encompass the room. “This is what I mean. How dare you make me the laughing stock of London by leaving me while I am out in the country attending my country affairs.”
The butler stepped forward. “Your grace, I fear there has been a misunderstanding—”
William swung a malicious look on the servant. “And you! You have been with me for years. You are the last I expected to betray me.”
Felicity began to giggle.
He turned to her, astonished. “Are you so callous to find humor in my dismay?”
“Oh, William.” Her shoulders shook and she doubled over howling. “Did you… hehehe…did you think…hehehe…I had left you…hehehe…for Henry?”
Bewildered by her reaction William glanced around the room as, one by one, the servants tittered and snickered behind their hands. “If you have not left me, then what in God’s name is going on here?”
Felicity’s laughter faded to a snicker. “You arrived home early and spoiled the surprise, William. We have been working all week to ready The Turnip Pot for you.”
“For me?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “You told me at the hunting lodge about how one day you hoped to cook for the Prince Regent. Though that may be unlikely, I thought perhaps you could open a public dining room of your own.”
“A public dining room?” He stared at her in confusion. “You mean a place for people to come and eat?”
She nodded. “Well, in a sense, yes. I mean, only nobles would be allowed, of course. Sort of like an inn, tavern, or exclusive club, only instead of serving up ale, meat pies, or card games, you could serve the wonderful dishes you make.”
He thought about her idea. It certainly had a spark of genius to it, albeit unorthodox for a man of his ilk. “Whatever made you come up with such an idea?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Well, it occurred to me there are men’s clubs like White’s and ladies clubs like Almack’s, but nowhere for couples to go to just enjoy a good meal together.”
This time he scanned the room and realized it was a kitchen of grand proportions and the room behind a dining area for guests. “You did all of this…for me?”
“Yes.” She looked at the floor and scuffed the toe of her slipper.
“Why?”
“Well, it did occur to me that you were sorely treated and gossiped about after my…uh…escapade, and I wanted to do something to make it up to you.” She peeked at him from beneath her lashes. “And I enjoyed cooking with you at the lodge and thought perhaps we could do so every day.”
His heart soared at her admission. “You did?” When she nodded with a shy smile he asked, “For the rest of your life?” He crossed the room, his heart thumping against his chest. “Does this mean…?”
She set the vegetables on the counter and stared up at him with tears shining in her eyes, the blue eyes he fell in love with the first time he had seen her. “I love you, William.”
He took her in his arms and kissed her sweet lips, full of wonder she had fallen in love with him despite his greatest fears she never would. Enthusiastic clapping filled the room and he pulled back. The servants beamed and he was again awed by the love they had for their mistress.
Chapter Twenty-eight
The night of their grand opening found Felicity in the kitchen helping William ready for their first guests. Along with them, they had amassed two scullery maids, two serving men, two cook helpers, and Henry helping to seat all they expected.
Felicity frowned and wiped a smear of flour from William’s cheek. “You look a fright, William.”
The smile he bestowed on her curled her toes. Eyes twinkling, he brushed her hand aside. “Has more ice arrived yet? I will not have my salmon soft and warm.”
“Yes, a crate of ice just arrived.”
“Good, good.” He finished chopping the vegetables he was using to compliment his salmon dish and hurried to remove his flaky biscuits from the stone oven. “Is all done out front?”
“Henry is ready to greet the first diners. Everything is as it should be, William, rest assured The Turnip Pot is going to be a rousing success.” She wiped a bead of nervous perspiration from his brow. “Everyone will love your dishes, William, I have faith in you.”
He paused to kiss her lips. “Your faith is all I need, my dear.”
“Now finish up and come great your guests.”
After assigning the last minute details to his staff, William took Felicity’s hand and together they entered the dining area.
Henry’s grin was ear to ear as he took Lord and Lady Winestone’s cloaks. “Welcome, welcome to The Turnip Pot. Let me show you to your seats.” He passed the outerwear to a footman pressed into service for the evening, and seated the first couple. No sooner had he finished than two more carriages pulled up. Within moments the room was full of excited, curious diners, and serving men hurried to fill wine glasses.
Last to arrive was the elderly Lord Carivale. Felicity rushed to great him. “My lord, we are so thrilled you could come.”
He patted Felicity’s hand. “I would not have missed it for all the tea in London, Lady Lancastor.”
Felicity turned to her husband. “Please forgive the improper introductions, Lord Carivale, but it pleases me to present my husband, Lord Lancastor. William, his lordship was instrumental in helping me plan your surprise.”
William shook Lord Carivale’s hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, your lordship. I cannot thank you enough for all your help and for inviting all these people this evening.”
“Think nothing of it, young man. ’Tis the least I could do for all the trouble my son and daughter caused you.”
William bowed his head. “A lesser man would have sworn revenge on me and mine for the downfall of his heirs, regardless if it was reasonable or not.”
Lord Carivale nodded. “Thank you. I suppose it would have been easy to be blind to my hand in all this. After all, it was my failure as a sire to guide my young with a firm hand that led to the trouble.” He smiled. “I lost my daughter, but, God willing, I may salvage my son with the help of Evergreen Sanatorium. But enough of this sadness. We are here to celebrate tonight, so show me to my table, young lord, and tempt my aging appetite.”
They seated Lord Carivale at the last table and retreated to the kitchen to oversee the eight course meal.
* * *
Felicity dropped into a vacated chair five hours later. “I am exhausted.”
With a tired smile, Henry locked the doors. “It is all in a day’s work, my lady.”
“I have a new appreciation for all you do, Henry.” Felicity sighed. “I must have greeted every noble in London tonight.”
“Your dinner was a huge success, William. Why, Lord and Lady Evenbow raved over the salmon and the Dowager Swift asked for the recipe for your onion and leek lentil soup.” Felicity could hardly contain her pride in her husband’s triumph.
William placed a kiss on her upturned head. “I spoke with Lord Carivale. He has asked to be made a full partner in The Turnip Pot and suggested we start by opening one night a week. We will need more staff, of course, and he did suggest, perhaps, putting in place a membership fee, like White’s, and establishing a reservation system so we ensure we have enough tables and food for service.”
“What a fabulous idea.”
He took her hand to raise her from the chair and then drew her into his embrace. “I owe it all to you, Felicity.”
“I am pleased you like my idea, William. I was worried you would think it a noddy endeavor.”
“Not at all. I only have one stipulation.” A cheeky glint shone in his eyes.
She grinned up at him. “What would that be?”
“You stay out of my kitchen. I do not think I could handle any of your little accidents during such a busy dinner service.” He chuckled, showing no ill will, as a jest was his only intent.
“That is one rule I shall be happy to follow, on one condition, my lord.”
His brows rose. “And what would that be, Felicity?”
“That you bless me with a babe to bounce upon my knee and keep me company the nights you are here.”
“Ah, you have a deal, my dear. It will be a joy to see our hearts kidnapped by a child with blonde hair and eyes as blue as the sky, such as yours.”
Felicity’s heart soared. The day she kidnapped the duke, he had kidnapped her heart without her even knowing. His love was her ransom and reward.
The End
Killarney Sheffield novels
also published by Books We Love
The Cracksman’s Kiss
To Love A Horseguard
Stand & Deliver Your Love
The Courtesan
Love’s Lies
Rags to Romance
About the Author
Killarney Sheffield is an award winning romance author from the rustic Canadian prairies. She lives on a cattle ranch with her five kids. When she is not penning historical romantic adventures she fills her time with her thoroughbred stallion, ‘Stamp de Gold’, whom she affectionately calls ‘Love Monkey’, and her herd of AQHA mares.
WEBSITE: http://www.killarneysheffieldromanceauthor.com/
EMAIL: [email protected]
Kidnapping the Duke Page 17
