* * *
“James!” Lizzie knocked on the under-steward’s pantry door at the entrance to the plate safe. Her own silver, inherited from her father, was now back from Bath and lodged once more in James’s care.
“Whatever is the matter, Lady Felmont,” James asked as he opened the door wearing gloves stained with the rouge used to clean the silver.
“I need to consult you about a problem.” Lizzie stepped into room through the low door set in the massive walls supporting the great house above them. The gothic windows behind the teak sink looked out onto the rolling lawn leading down to the lake. Long shadows streaked the view as the sun sank in the sky.
Arthur and Charles threw sticks and raced across the lawn after the dogs. Lizzie could hear the joyful barking until they all disappeared into the home wood.
“What problem, my lady?” James asked. He pushed the door almost closed.
Lizzie took a calming breath. She glanced up at James, her steadfast aid. “Have you seen the viscount?”
“He is resting, my lady. Gave orders he was not to be disturbed for any reason.”
Heaven help her! He was resting! Fortifying himself for more rapacious attacks on her flesh. There must be a way to stop him.
“My lady, if I may be so bold?” James leaned on the sink with his back to the window.
Lizzie nodded mutely as she stared at the view.
“When the third viscount was busy thinking about, not the loss of your mother, but other things, he wasn’t too difficult to manage. If it were possible to give your husband something to do, it could only help keep him on an even keel, so to speak.”
“But doesn’t he have enough to do? He has not been home for long, James, he must have lots to do.” Lizzie clutched the edge of the draining board.
“He’s seen to his daughter and checked on Mr. Howard’s management of the tenants, the fields and the farms, my lady. The viscount needs to go to London to see to his friend and you are standing in his way. I have never known him to back down and he won’t over this. Do reconsider, Lady Felmont. London might be just the thing to distract his lordship.”
Lizzie Tempest Ruins A Viscount (Felmont Brides Series Book 1) Page 19
