Mrs. Combs had given her Tuesday evenings off. Addie quickly found the housekeeper to be a commanding but fair presence. After all, at the Bennett household, she had no time off.
In the past week, Addie's duties consisted mostly of menial household tasks: changing the linens, tending to the fires, polishing the banisters, and so forth. For the first few days while her foot had healed, Mrs. Combs gave her duties she could do reasonably while sitting, such as folding linens, cutting vegetables, and writing the daily shopping lists.
It'd been deemed that a physician was not needed for her foot, and Addie was grateful for that. She barely felt the pain at all now.
In general, there had not been much reprieve, but Addie did not mind. Kingfield House was much more comfortable than she was used to, and though she missed Liza, the other staff were amiable.
Addie was sure that she must have scurried through nearly every part of the mansion, but she had yet to see a library. And oh, how she loved the libraries in these grand homes; the books were old ones, passed down through the generations, along with everything else in the entailment.
With her free evening, Addie had resolved to find the library. Kingfield House had to have one. It involved a certain amount of poking and prodding of closed doorways, but eventually, she pushed open a set of gleaming oak doors that led the way to the room she had wanted to find. Addie entered and smiled as she saw row upon row of books. The volumes spread from floor to ceiling in a spectacular show for a private collection. It was exactly as she was hoping it would be.
Walking to the nearest shelf, she perused the titles on the rough spines. She breathed in, appreciating the scent of parchment, old and new. Books were simply a type of love that need not be returned to be fostered deeper.
Addie reached up to take a particularly worn book off the shelf before pausing, hearing a rustling behind her. She stiffened with awareness.
"A fan of Latin, are we?" a voice drawled.
Addie quickly dropped her hand and twirled around to give a quick curtsy.
"I am so sorry to have disturbed you, Your Grace. I did not realize that you were here. Mrs. Combs gave me tonight off—"
"No need to apologize," the duke interrupted, waving aside her words. Tonight, his dress was impeccable. Gone was the drab top coat and itchy-looking breeches, and in their place he wore a finely pressed, double breasted waistcoat that paired nicely with his form-fitting trousers. She had to keep herself from gawking.
He sauntered across the room and picked up the title that Addie's hand had been hovering over just moments before, which she inwardly translated to Echo and Handsome Narcissus.
"Do you read Latin, Addie?" His Grace asked again, stepping closer. She pressed herself further against the bookshelf. Not daring to meet his probing gaze, she quickly developed a keen interest in his intricately tied cravat. He was close enough to her now that she could smell a faint mix of liquor and musk about him.
"No, of course not," she rushed to say. "I merely found its appearance intriguing. I should excuse myself so as not to disturb you."
And then as she was about to move away, Addie's eyes betrayed her and quickly flitted to his face. He flashed a bright smile that nearly made her light-headed. She had rarely seen him since that night he picked her up off the streets and brought her here. To her shame, whenever Addie passed his study, she found herself searching for him. She would hardly ever catch a glimpse, however, and then would have to spend the rest of the day contending with her disappointment.
"Nonsense. The company is welcome. It is interesting that you should pick this tale, however, as I happen to be doing some research on the royal family," Kingfield responded.
"I'm sure I don't understand, Your Grace," Addie replied evenly, though she very much comprehended the implication he was making. She had, of course, lied. To say she was accomplished in her Latin studies would almost be an understatement. And the story he was holding in his hand was about a boy who fell in love with his own reflection.
Addie only hoped his comparison was to the current king and not the previous. Regardless of which he referred to, Addie wondered with unease why he should be doing any research on either at all.
"No," he said dryly. "Of course you do not." The duke glimpsed down at the book slyly and then placed it on the table.
"What research are you doing on the royal family, Your Grace?" She couldn't help but ask. Surely it would be imprudent and nonsensical not to ask.
He gave a quick sigh. "A good friend of mine is...writing a book on the House of Hanover, and the library at Kingfield House is known to have extensive resources on any subject one might wish to explore."
Addie bit her lip in a nervous gesture, wary of the fact that the Duke of Kingfield should be using any kind of extensive resources to look into her own family line. She searched for something she could say.
"Yes, your library is quite expansive, Your Grace." Then, she couldn't quite help herself from adding, "If your friend is authoring the book, should he not be the one to conduct the research?"
The duke frowned, as though he hadn't thought of that, and stepped away from her. He walked to a small table and picked up a glass filled with two fingers of liquid.
"I suppose you could say," he said slowly, taking a drink, "I owe him a favor."
Addie nodded, not feeling as though she could pry further into that. "What have you discovered so far?"
He gave a small chuckle. "Not very much beyond what is common knowledge, unfortunately."
Addie considered that. "I suppose I could be the judge of that."
The man flashed her another smile as bright as the sun, seeming pleased at her suggestion. "Well," he said, "I had been reading about the late queen in particular. She was widely regarded as a conservative and modest woman and did not like to entertain women of any...questionable morals at court."
"True," Addie agreed. "But did you know that Queen Adelaide also began a finishing school that accepted all women, even those of such questionable morals, as you put it, in the hope that they would seek to be reformed? She gave many women a new purpose in life," Addie said, rushing to defend her mother on an impulse.
Kingfield regarded her quizzically, his handsome face balanced on the edge of a smile. "No, Addie, I certainly did not know that."
Addie stopped. What was it about this man that made her forget herself? But before she could explain herself, the duke was already talking again.
"There is another library that I would like to visit in order to discern more information about the late king and queen. Perhaps, since you are so knowledgeable already, you would be willing to join me in my inquiries?"
Addie could not speak fast enough in her effort to decline. "Oh, Your Grace, I am not so knowledgeable, really. I am simply a maid who has heard one too many pieces of interesting gossip."
But the duke seemed unconvinced and unwilling to relent. "Where, precisely, you have learned the information is beside the point."
Floundering, Addie said, "Surely, I am needed here. Mrs. Combs would not want me to desert my duties, Your Grace."
Kingfield gave her a coy look. "And surely, Addie, you remember that before last week, Mrs. Combs was capable without you."
Not one to give in easily, Addie said, "Yes, I understand, however now that I am here, she surely depends on me to complete my assigned duties."
The duke took several steps closer to Addie again, but she maintained her stance.
He leaned in and spoke quietly. "Do not worry about Mrs. Combs. I will take care of her."
He stepped backward then, leaving Addie feeling bare. Looking down, His Grace glanced over her black dress and white apron that she was still wearing from her afternoon duties.
"We shall leave for our outing tomorrow at one o'clock. You needn't wear your uniform if you do not wish to." He then picked up the book that Addie had first been looking at and stared at it momentarily. "Homines non debent se nimis amare," he muttered to himself.
Without even thinking—because it seemed she simply did not do that anymore—Addie translated. "People should not love themselves too much."
The duke snapped his head up, arching one brow so high it almost disappeared into his hairline.
"The truth always reveals itself, Addie," he said before giving her a wink as he had the first night and promptly leaving her to ponder what grave mistake she had just made. What was she doing? All she wanted was to blend in, be forgotten, and live this life of hers quietly.
Didn't she?
****
Theo found himself extraordinarily pleased with the arrangements he had made to have Addie join him in his assignment today. She had provided him with an excuse to invite her along, and he had all but pounced on it.
Theo had avoided her for one whole week, telling himself to leave his new housemaid alone. But when she wandered into the library, all awe-inspired, he could no longer leave well enough alone.
There was without a doubt something about her she wasn't revealing, and the mystery she embodied only added to Theo's desire to know her more. She was beautiful, yes—even more so now that she had washed the dirt away—but he had known attractive women before without feeling in such a way. It was not simply her appearance that enticed him.
But for Christ's sake, he needed to remember just who she was before he got himself in trouble.
He was snapped out of his reverie when the door to the carriage jerked open. Addie stepped up to sit across from him. He was surprised, though pleased, to find that she forgone her servant's garb for their outing, as he had suggested.
She was wearing a simple day dress made of blue muslin, but the color made her eyes sparkle. The dress also fit her better, displaying her considerable curves in a way that made Theo want to throw every other gown of hers away save this one.
"Good afternoon, Your Grace," she said as she sat down on the bench. She gave him a smile that made his body tighten.
"Good afternoon, Addie." Theo nodded in response. "I am most appreciative of your company today."
"I am glad to be of service to you," Addie responded politely. She paused and then added, "Although I do not believe you gave me much choice in the matter."
Theo supposed she was right but did not feel inclined to say it, so he chided her instead. "There's that sharp tongue of yours again."
"My apologies," she murmured.
Their eyes met, colliding as she peeked up at him with a barely concealed smile. Theo wondered what she saw. He wondered if his expression betrayed him and his thoughts. Given her startled expression, it likely did. He should try harder to hide them.
Theo sat back against the cushions, attempting to appear more casual as he tore his eyes away from hers. "Please do not hold your tongue on my account. I find your candor entirely refreshing."
Addie also relaxed against the cushions as the carriage began to rock beneath them. Her expression had settled into a carefully guarded look.
"However, you did lie to me, Addie," he began and noticed how her eyes grew wide. It was only for a moment, however, and then a carefully placed mask overcame her once more. "Tell me, precisely where did you learn Latin?"
Addie peered up at him through her eyelashes in a way that would have made Theo believe she'd been trained by the very best of marriage-minded mothers. But she did not say anything.
Theo leaned forward onto his knees.
"Do not tell me that maids gossip in dead languages now," he said, raising a brow.
Addie mimicked his gesture, leaning forward as well, pushing her previously modest dress into something far more revealing. Theo tried not to lean forward even further.
She shrugged. "Perhaps we do. A servant never reveals her sources, Your Grace."
Theo snorted, pushing back against the cushions again before he did something he regretted. She was goading him, but he could not say he minded playing along. "Now that, I am not convinced of. Especially given the proper incentives."
Addie gave him a meaningful glance. "Do you frequently bribe your servants? Because I assure you, I cannot be bought."
Theo returned the gaze she was giving him. "Is that so? I suppose I can believe that."
She sat back again, and Theo's body relaxed.
"Good, Your Grace," she said plainly before turning her attention outside to Grosvenor Square going by. There was a jam of vehicles, and their own carriage began to slow in order to accommodate the traffic.
The ton was finally waking and going about their day. They would be approaching Hyde Park soon, and though it was still rather early for couples to be taking afternoon drives, Theo knew that it would likely still be busy. It would be worse on their way home; by then it would be a sea of pastel day dresses and matching bonnets.
"I do wish you would dispense with the formalities," Theo found himself saying.
Addie snapped her head to stare directly at him. "This is already highly inappropriate, Your Grace, for us to be alone together."
Theo perched his elbows on his knees. "Are you indicating that I should acquire a chaperone to run an errand with a servant?" The words came out casually, but Addie blanched before turning red. She sputtered in response, and Theo immediately regretted what he had said.
"Of course not, Your Grace."
Theo's next words were soft as he tried to repair their banter. "If you are to help me with this, I would wish for you to call me Theo." He paused slightly, then smiled. "It is only fair if I am to call you Addie."
Addie pursed her full lips together in a manner that was incredibly becoming, unbeknownst to her. Clearly, she had recovered from her embarrassment.
"First of all, it is not meant to be fair, Your Grace." She emphasized his title. "You are a duke, and I am your servant," she said.
Theo chuckled, unsurprised by her reaction. "Certainly not. In this endeavor, we are equals. If anything, you are superior to me as you seem to be more knowledgeable on the topic." He flashed her an innocent smile, unable to stop.
Addie crossed her arms. "Again, you are entirely inappropriate," she said, indignant.
Theo lowered his voice, raised a brow, and tried exceedingly hard to keep his eyes on Addie's lovely face as he said, "And I've been told by many that I am preferred that way."
"I am sure I do not know what you mean, Your Grace," came Addie's breathy reply, and Theo delighted in the flush that came over her face. She quickly trained her eyes on the window before tilting her head adorably and asking, "Do you have a curricle?"
Theo laughed. "Those death traps?" he said, pointing to one that a dandy gentleman was driving outside their own carriage.
She nodded.
"Why, I own three." Theo grinned, and Addie looked away.
But he saw her roll her eyes. And secretly, he loved it.