Rescued By A Viscount(14)

“I want you wed as soon as it can be arranged, and if you or Jilly have any further trouble from any of the staff, I wish to know of it.”

The door opened again and in slipped Jilly. Simon wondered how this sweet looking young woman had ever found her way into Merlin’s arms. She came to his shoulder. Slender as a reed, she had black curls and brown eyes, and her complexion was the color of a peach. She moved to Merlin’s side, where he took her hand and squeezed it briefly.

“Hello, Jilly. There is no need to be afraid. Now I want to ask you a question, and I would ask that you answer me honestly, please.” The girl nodded so Simon continued. “Do you wish to marry this man?”

“Oh yes, my lord.” She looked up at the coachman with such adoration in her eyes, it made Simon wonder when he would receive just such a look from a woman—well, at least one he wanted to look at him that way.

“Excellent. Well then, you have my congratulations, and please let me know when you have all the details in place, Merlin.”

Merlin bowed and Jilly curtsied, and then they both left the room, leaving Simon to finish his now lukewarm coffee. Bilby reappeared to remove his breakfast as he was finishing the paper.

“I want to know if there is any trouble for either Jilly or Merlin, and please pass on to both my cook and housekeeper that if there is, it will not be my scullery maid or coachman leaving my employ, Bilby.”

“I will see to it at once, my lord, and thank you.”

An hour later, he was seated on his horse and making his way through London. He stopped briefly to buy flowers on the way, but it did not take him long to reach the Duke and Duchess of Stratton’s house. Dismounting, he handed over his reins to Daniel’s groom and then made his way to the front door. He was surprised when it opened before he knocked.

“Simon!”

“Hello, Eva,” he said, “and my favorite little person.” Georgia waved a pudgy fist, then lunged out of her mother’s arms at him. Catching her, he pulled her close, inhaling her baby scent. Placing several loud kisses on her sweet-smelling cheek, he then whispered into her ear, which she loved. Simon adored children and babies. Little people, to his mind, were less complicated than the grown-up ones. If they were hungry or angry, they simply let you know it in a loud, demonstrative manner. They responded to him without the restraint of social restrictions, and most of all, they loved to be hugged.

“Are those for me?” Eva questioned, nodding to the flowers he held out of Georgia’s reach.

“Of course.”

She took them and buried her nose in the colorful blooms. “You always bring flowers and I love them, Simon. Thank you.”

Taking them from her, he then handed them to the butler so he could kiss Eva’s cheek. “You’re welcome, darling. Are you going out?” he added, once he had the baby settled against his chest.

“Yes, we’re visiting Claire and her mother, but do go on up, as grandmother is here and Daniel will be pleased of your support.”

Simon visibly shuddered at the mention of Daniel’s grandmother. The Dowager Duchess of Stratton was an old termagant who instilled the fear of god in all whom crossed her path, with her caustic comments and general air of ill will.

“Ah, if you don’t mind, I’ll accompany you, as it is has been a long time since I visited Mathew Belmont.” This would give him a chance to observe Claire again and maybe get her alone for a few minutes.

Eva gave him a steady look that made him want to wriggle. “I was not aware you and Claire’s brother were any more than passing acquaintances, Simon.”

“Oh, Mathew and I have known each other for years,” Simon said with a perfectly straight face. It was not, strictly speaking, a lie; after all, they had known of each other for years–they had just rarely conversed.

“He may not be there, and then you’ll have to take tea with me and Claire until I’m ready to leave.”

“I’m sure Georgia will keep me company, won’t you darling?”

The little girl gave him a smile that displayed one tooth and pink gums. She then grabbed his necktie and tugged.

“Very well, but you will be in no fit state to visit if you let her keep doing that,” Eva said, urging him out to the carriage.

“Dare I enquire as to why, Kelkirk, you are getting into a carriage with my duchess and daughter?”

Simon looked up and saw Daniel standing on the small balcony above him. Georgia squealed when she saw her father, who, in turn, pulled a funny face.

“The better man has finally won, your grace.”

“He is trying to avoid Grandmother, therefore he is accompanying me to visit Claire,” Eva said from beside him.