Discovering the Devil

E i g h t

VIII

PENELOPE blinked up at the earl suspiciously. "What are you saying?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"I wouldn't be asking the question if it was obvious," Penelope said with a trace of irritation.

"I'm just asking if you'd still like to be a servant at Hawthorne Castle," Lord Hawthorne replied smoothly.

"You said the idea was preposterous."

"I have an open mind."

"Not when it comes to me."

"I have an open mind when it comes to all subjects, Miss Redwood. That includes you." Warm, sweet, joy washed over Penelope like a tidal wave. If their conversation was progressing the way she hoped it was, then her tearful nightly prayers had been answered. There would be no wedding! Penelope could kiss him.

Instead, Penelope kept her face impassive. She didn't want to seem so thrilled, especially after his initial rejection. "I'm engaged." Her voice didn't come out as strong as she'd meant it too. "It would be a scandal. I could ruin my reputation."

"You're engaged to a man you do not want. And, engagement or no, it would've been a scandal anyway."

"Are you truly offering me employment as your housekeeper?"

"Only if you want it." His dark, brown eyes penetrated her own with such intensity Penelope resisted the urge to shiver. She was never one to be caught off guard but here, amongst the beauty and quiet of the lake with a man she thought despised her to the core, she was at a loss for words. "Do you want it?"

Penelope thought of Solomon and Violet hunched over in a dark corner of Fleurs, conspiring to get her pregnant and obedient. "How soon can I start?"

"I can send a carriage to get you tomorrow morning. Does that suit you?"

Penelope nodded primly. "It'll do."

Lord Hawthorne looked around her. "I see you've come without a horse again."

"Don't worry, my lord. I wouldn't dream of bullying you into giving me a ride again."

One side of the earl's lip quirked up in a half smile. "So, you admit that you bullied me?"

Penelope shrugged. "I've never a had a problem with calling an apple an apple."

Lord Hawthorne clicked his tongue and in a heartbeat, his steed strode from the lake to his master. He gave his newfound employee a quick once over. "I don't mind giving you a ride home."

Penelope quickly shook her head. Her absence might've already been noted. She pictured nosy maids with faces pressed against the window pane—informants of Violet's—anxiously awaiting their mistress' return. She could taste their shocked delight once they saw her dismount from the earl's beautiful stallion as they rushed to tell the duchess the news. And then she and Solomon would shake their heads at the confirmation of their worst fears. Although she would soon be rid of them, Penelope couldn't bear another lecture—or the simmering eyes of her fiancé. "I'm fine with walking."