without even getting to know him? So he was older.
That wasn’t a deal breaker, right?
With a heavy sigh, Leah lifted the cup to her lips and took a swig of cool tea. She grimaced at the taste.
What a complicated trip this was turning out to be. She really wished she had a friend to talk to— someone who understood her or at least knew her a little better than Lady Chesterfield or Muriel.
Someone like…
She bit her lip. Maybe she’d go calling once the less-than- pleasant Miss Stapleton had gone.
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Seventeen
He’d won the match, but if he weren’t careful, he’d lose his life. Prachett’s threat was not an idle one. Avery had seen other fighters defy the man before, and the results were never pleasant. But what choice had he had?
None at all.
Avery huddled in his coat atop the carriage by the coachman as the carriage wound through damp and dank streets toward Grosvenor Square. The rain and cold might be miserable, but they were infinitely preferable to remaining at the Houndstooth and facing Prachett again.
Fortunately, the duke was not interested in the other matches and had opted to leave before the crowds. His Grace had been curiously silent, not congratulating his valet on the victory. Any other victory would have had the duke clapping him on the shoulder, cheering like a lad. But today? Not a word had left his lips. Yet another worry to be added to Avery’s lot.
Avery shifted in the seat and winced as his muscles cried out in protest. It didn’t matter that he was battered and bruised. He had won, and he must plan now for a way to avoid Prachett’s anger. His aunt could not go GeekGirlsDontDateDukes.indd 168
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without medicine. He’d bear what he must in order to protect his only family. He pulled his cloak tighter against him as if it could keep out the coming trouble as well as the downpour.
The carriage pulled to a halt in front of Granville House. The coachman leapt down and opened the door for Granville while Avery clambered down slowly and painfully.
“Russell.” The duke spoke without looking Avery’s way. “You will attend me immediately.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Shivering with cold, wet to the bone, Avery hung his sodden coat by the front door. Smythe, who had taken the duke’s hat and cloak, cast a glance over at him.
Avery thought he may have detected the slightest hint of curiosity in the older man’s gaze before the butler turned and walked away. As his footsteps echoed down the long hallway, Avery’s thoughts turned to Miss Ramsey.
How was she faring with the curious Lady Chesterfield?
Had she made her debut during the week he’d been gone? Was she being accepted, or was she shunned because of her lack of connections?
The longing in his chest intensified as he entered the duke’s study. Wherever she was, whomever she loved, he wished her every happiness in the world. It was best that she’d gone. When Prachett caught up with Avery, he hoped that Leah would be miles, or years, away.
“Close the door behind you, Russell.” Lord Granville settled into the chair behind his large desk, primly tenting his fingers.
Avery obeyed. The soft click of the latch felt like the gates of hell closing him in. Swallowing hard and GeekGirlsDontDateDukes.indd 169
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setting his jaw, Avery turned and stood tall while facing his employer.
The duke didn’t say anything for several long moments.
His keen gaze raked Avery from the top of his head to the toes of his boots, missing nothing. The swelling and bruising on his body would go down in a few days, but for the moment, Avery knew he looked nothing like a duke’s valet should. Would Lord Granville finally realize Avery’s unworthiness for the position?
“I was approached at the tourney today by a Mr.
Thomas Prachett.” The words were spoken softly, but that didn’t countermand their seriousness. “He said that you owed him a great deal of money, lad. What have you to say to that?”
Protests brimmed on Avery’s tongue, but he bit them back. He couldn’t tell the duke the depth of his involvement with Prachett. The fighting was one thing, but if Granville knew he’d been forced into throwing matches?
He’d probably be out on his ear in a trice. He answered in as calm a tone as he could manage. “Prachett was my employer before you, Your Grace. My debt to him was repaid long ago. I owe him nothing.”
“I gladly shouldered the risk of hiring you on.” The duke rose slowly, the corners of his mouth drooping.