Highwayman Lover

  * * * *

  “You have a lovely home, Lord Theydon,” Una said when Kenley had rejoined them. Lewis had accompanied Albert to the kitchen to finish preparing a tray of tea, and in his cousin’s absence, Kenley seemed uncharacteristically shy.

  He smiled at Una’s remark. While they had taken seats in the chairs, he genuflected near the fireplace, pretending to busy himself by poking an iron rod against the flame-lapped logs. “You are kind to say so, Mrs. Renfred,” he said. “I know it must seem a mess. My uncle did his best to keep it from ruin, but it is a large house, as you can see. He had his own to oversee. I cannot blame him for letting this one deteriorate so.”

  Charlotte watched intermingling shadows of melancholy and pride tussle for dominance in his eyes, the set of his brows. “It will be lovely again some day,” he said quietly, prodding at the coals with the poker.

  “If it would please you, my lord, I would be glad to lend my services to you,” Una said, and Kenley looked up at her, puzzled and surprised. “As a proper housekeeper, my lord, at least for a time. I tended to such a position at Darton until just last year, when my daughter, Meghan took over in my stead. I grew up south of here in Loughton. I yet have family there, and many friends. I could easily arrange to hire a staff of local lasses for you, some boys for your stables. I think it would help you, my lord. It would ease the burden of your labors here if you had suitable servants to tend to these interior affairs.”

  Kenley rose to his feet. “That is very kind of you, Mrs. Renfred,” he said. “But I… I could not dare to impose on your responsibilities to Lady Epping or Charlotte…”

  Una waved her hand dismissively. “Charlotte is to be the lady of Theydon Hall shortly,” she said. “I would be doing more service to her here than at Darton.”

  Kenley glanced at Charlotte, but she was as surprised by Una’s offer as he was. “I… that would be lovely, Mrs. Renfred,” Kenley said. “And I would be very grateful.”

  “Perhaps Lord Woodside and Albert could show me around the house,” Una said. “I could level my head for what needs to be set upon first. You could escort Charlotte about your grounds. It is a fair enough day; the fog has faded, and the clouds drawn away awhile. Some fresh air might suit her.”

  “I would be pleased to,” Kenley said.

  “Pleased to what?” Lewis asked, walking in from the foyer, balancing a tray with teapot and cups against his palm.

  “I have hired a housekeeper, Lewis,” Kenley said, looking toward him.

  Lewis arched his brow and laughed. “Well, and by time,” he said. “Welcome to the eighteenth century, cousin.”