“Of course,” the housekeeper said.
Leah jammed her hands in her pockets to keep them steady. She was almost vibrating, she was so excited. Go back in time? To when the gentlemen knew how to treat a lady, to when class was something everyone aspired to?
She could find someone there, someone who appreci-ated her. Someone her grandfather would approve of.
Someone who wouldn’t dick her over like Kevin had.
And with time travel, she could be back before anyone knew she’d gone.
She grinned. “Let’s do it.”
Besides, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to visit Regency England? Not this girl.
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Three
The scuff simply refused to budge from the duke’s favorite Hessians. Avery Russell sighed and resumed polishing the expensive leather boots. His Grace would be quite put out if these weren’t presentable in time for the next morning’s calls.
“Russell, are you about? I must speak with you.”
Avery didn’t look up from his work at the butler’s supercilious tone. “I am here, Mr. Smythe.”
The butler stepped into the dressing room and shut the door behind him. “Mrs. Harper has dismissed Fannie, the underhousemaid. Until a suitable replacement can be found, you shall attend to the sweeping up and tidying His Grace’s chambers.”
Avery refused to raise his gaze from the boot. He bit his bottom lip to keep in the retort that first sprang to mind. Smythe could take that sweeping and shove it up his— “Are there not more than enough maids to attend to that? I have many other duties.” In any other household, a valet would never be found doing the maid’s work. But ever since Avery had come into the duke’s household, Smythe had tried him to no end.
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Gina Lamm
Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes
“The maids cannot be spared from their responsibilities,” Smythe replied. “Mrs. Harper has divided the rest of Fannie’s work amongst them. You shall attend to this, or I shall see to it that you are dismissed from His Grace’s service.”
The threat in Smythe’s tone was clear. Avery set his jaw and swallowed his response. He had to mind his place. This position was much less hazardous to his well-being than his previous employment had been. The Duke of Granville had pressed the bounds of propriety in even hiring Avery for such a high position, and the rest of the servants knew it. Smythe was the biggest voice of dissent. Avery adjusted the boot before finally glancing up. “So be it.”
Smythe nodded, looking down his nose at Avery, his forehead wrinkled— whether in frustration or in sheer dislike, Avery couldn’t say. He’d simply have to continue doing his best to please the duke and hope that the servants fell into line. But after nearly a year as the duke’s valet without change, his hopes were fading.
“I shall leave you to it then. Have a care with the grates, Russell. Though you have but come to service lately, your actions reflect upon this whole house. I will not allow our reputation to be blemished.”
Without another word, Smythe turned and left the room. Avery resisted the impulse to curse beneath his breath. It would serve no purpose, none at all.
The door opened again. “Russell, His Grace’s new bureau has arrived. Though I should like to direct the placement of it myself, a matter has arisen in the kitchens that must be dealt with. You shall have to do.”
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the grunts and groans of the men as they strained under
the furniture’s weight.
Frustration tightening his jaw, Avery left the boots and entered the bedchamber with quick strides. If the workmen left a smudge on any of His Grace’s things, Smythe would be sure to blame Avery. Damn and blast. Perhaps he should have remained in the boxing mills after all.
“Mind the doorway, lads,” Avery said as he lifted the corner of the bureau that was drifting dangerously close to the polished floors. “Steady. Place it just here.”
All four men blew heavy breaths of relief as their burden descended to the corner of the Aubusson carpet in the duke’s massive bedchamber. Avery straightened his simple black waistcoat as he stood.
“Well done. Please, make your way down to the kitchens. I am sure that Cook can spare you a cup of tea.”
With muttering thanks and doffing caps, the workmen departed, closing the chamber door behind them.
Avery eyed the bureau. A fine Chippendale piece, it had previously belonged to the Earl of Dunnington.