Lord Valorous(27)

Mr. Perkins sighed. Taking off his glasses, he rubbed the lenses with a cloth he pulled from his top pocket.

"No, it is I who should be sorry, Miss March. Forgive me, I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. I am merely a grumpy old dog attempting to protect his patch of grass. Please, take off your coat and sit."

"You don't seem old, Mr. Perkins." Poppy hurried to do as he bid. "And I should very much like to learn from you, even if my position here is only temporary. Lord Hatherton spoke very highly of you, and one day I may find work in this field, if I cannot find work as a companion again." 

"And you shall, and I will ask you to forgive me now for any rudeness you encounter at my hands. I tend to be curt without realizing it."

"I am one of nine children, Mr. Perkins, you shall have to get up early to insult me."

His laugh was dry but genuine, and Poppy thought that perhaps they would get along just fine after that. Straight talking, her mother always said, sorted out most things and stopped misunderstandings.





Jacob and Leo arrived at Lady Revel's house at eleven two mornings later. He'd wanted to check on Poppy, but decided to stay away from Night Street to let her settle into her position with Perkins.

"We stay until we are admitted, Leo."

"I hate this popinjay," his friend snarled. "Struts about the place thinking he's a great deal more than he is. I will not need much provocation to put him in his place, Jacob."

"I feel no differently, but our purpose here is Lady Revel, so hold your spleen."

His friend grunted, but remained silent as they walked up the front path.

"Bloody chilly." Leo stomped his large booted feet as they stopped by the door.

This time Jacob wanted to question Lord Revel, and was prepared to wait him out. Something was afoot here; he no longer had any doubts about that.

Lifting the large brass knocker, he rapped it loudly three times, and then stood back to wait. The butler who had opened it last time once again stood before him. He did not look any more at ease seeing Jacob.

"Good morning, I am Lord Hatherton, and this is Lord Vereton. We have called to see Lady Revel."

"I-I'm afraid Lady Revel is not taking callers at this time."

"She is still unwell?"

The butler nodded, his eyes flitting from Leo to Jacob.

"Then we shall see Lord Revel."

"He, ah, he is not to be disturbed."

"You will please tell him that Viscount Hatherton and the Marquis of Vereton have an important matter to discuss with him, and will not leave until we do so."

"At once, my lord."

Jacob and Leo were shown into the same room he occupied last time.

"I forget how menacing that polite, cold tone of yours can be, Jacob."

His friend was prowling around the room, studying paintings.

"It comes in handy."

"I met your Miss March yesterday."

Jacob refused to acknowledge that his heart beat harder hearing Poppy's name. He was merely concerned for her, nothing more.

"Perkins smiled at me when I entered. I nearly stumbled, I tell you. It wasn't that closed-mouth version we usually get. This was teeth and flashing eyes, and he looked happy."

"How could you tell if his eyes were flashing behind his glasses?"

"Which just goes to tell you how bright the smile actually was."

"So he is not unhappy to have Miss March there, then? I had wondered, as he is quite territorial."

"She was seated beside him doing something in a ledger, and the look Perkins threw her was that of a benevolent father. It was disturbing, I tell you. I am not used to that from him."

"She has a way about her," Jacob said.

"I don't like the look in your eyes, Jacob."

"No look, I assure you. Just stating facts."

"It's true she is beautiful, in a wholesome way. Those soft pale cheeks and lovely rose-colored lips certainly draw the eye. And all that rich chestnut hair, must be quite something when released-"

"Yes, thank you, Leo, I know what Miss March looks like." The bite of jealousy Jacob felt at Leo's words was not comforting. He didn't feel jealousy, in fact, he rarely felt anything for anyone but those closest to him, and especially after he'd just assured himself he was concerned for her and nothing more.



       
         
       
        

"Bed her, Jacob, and then you can move on."

Leo didn't like women very much. He'd once had his heart broken, and was now cynical and hard edged where they were concerned. Jacob tried to remember that.

"She is the daughter of a vicar, Leo, and while you may treat women as vessels, I assure you I do not." Jacob pushed aside the fact that he had thought about making Poppy his mistress. He had not voiced or acted on that thought, so he was not in the same class as Leo.