Page 17 of Discovering Her Earl

“I can only imagine what he’ll have to say about my cravats when I arrive in Scotland.”

She blinked. “Your valet is meeting us in Scotland?”

“I sent him ahead with my trunks so he can set up before I arrive.”

She set down her glass and pressed her lips together. In the short time he’d spent with her, he understood the expression. She had something she wished to say.

“What is it?” he prodded.

“It’s surely not my business, but generally we are much more relaxed when on an expedition. We don’t dress formally when our clothing will become soiled or damaged. There’s no point in it.”

She shrugged and went back to her meal.

“I recall you referred to me as a dandy at the ball…” He paused and took in the slight wince and blush from his reminder. “But in truth, it isn’t the assistance with my wardrobe, or any concerns with fashion that had me bring my valet.”

“Oh?”

“You may find it strange, but I feel I can share things of a personal nature with you.” He waited to see her response, hoping this confession would bring down whatever obstacle had wedged its way between them in this short time.

She offered a small shrug as she finished chewing her roast.

“If you’re concerned I will gossip about it at a ball, you have nothing to worry about.”

“It’s nothing so odd to merit gossip I wouldn’t think. It’s just that Bentley, my valet, is a dear friend.”

“You are friends with your servant?” she said in surprise but did not seem put off by it.

“Yes. I think of him as the father I never had.”

She took a sip of her wine and sat it down as if pondering.

“You became the earl at four and twenty. So, you did have a father all of your youth.”

He couldn’t help the grin that exploded across his face.

“And how did you happen to remember that?” he teased when he probably shouldn’t have.

She was only mildly flustered before collecting herself.

“I checked into you when my uncle informed me we would be going on this journey together. I didn’t wish to travel with someone unsafe.”

“Of course,” he agreed, but wasn’t so sure. Rather than let it go as he should have, he pressed another matter. “You knew I was left-handed.” He held up his fork in his left hand.

“Excuse me?”

“At the shop when you were helping me purchase my set of tools. You presented them to me for a left-handed person. Did whomever you hired to look into me share that fact?”

“No. Over the years you have attended several of my uncle’s Expedition Balls. I have had the misfortune of sitting next to you on three occasions. Each time on your left side where you proceeded to bump into my arm with every bite.”

“Is that so? I don’t remember being seated beside you.”

She let out a sigh he could easily translate as annoyance.

“That is because on every occasion, a beautiful woman sat on your right side to capture every second of your attention. I am better suited for intelligent conversation than physical appeal, so it is not such a surprise you chose as you did.”

He set his glass down and stared at his plate a moment.

“I can’t help but feel I’ve been insulted.”