“I am the fortunate one for calling His Grace my friend,” Devin shared. “I do appreciate his generosity in giving me things to wear. I will need to seek out a tailor, though. How close is the nearest village? Do you have someone to recommend to me?”

  As Larson dressed him, he told Devin not only about the local tailor but a little about Marston, as well.

  Once Devin was ready, the valet said, “Let me take you to your bedchamber.”

  The two men went down the hall to a large, airy room.

  Larson told him, “I have placed a few items in the wardrobe for you, including some necessities in the drawers. If you find you need more, please let me know. I will be assisting you during your stay at Woodbridge.”

  “That isn’t necessary,” Devin said. “I am used to doing for myself.”

  “No, Her Grace wishes it so. His Grace is very easy to care for, my lord, so I don’t mind helping you while you are visiting Woodbridge.”

  The valet showed Devin where the cord was in order to summon him and then said, “Dinner is at seven, my lord. You will be expected in the drawing room at a quarter till.”

  “Thank you for your assistance, Larson.” He held his right hand up, finally acknowledging the elephant in the room. “As you can suspect, I do have difficulty with tasks now, shaving in particular.”

  “Just let me know whatever you need, my lord. I am here to serve His Grace and that includes his friends, as well.”

  Devin consulted his pocket watch and saw he still had half an hour before he needed to be in the drawing room. Restless, he decided to find the library and get a book to read. Reading for pleasure had been a luxury as much as a hot bath and was something he looked forward to in civilian life. He would go and find something now and bring it to his room so that he might read after dinner this evening.

  He left the large bedchamber and asked a passing maid in the corridor where the library was located.

  “I’ll take you there myself, my lord,” she said cheerfully, leading him down the stairs.

  “There it is, my lord. Anything else?”

  “No, thank you,” he said.

  Devin entered the library and saw two walls lined with books to the ceiling. Immediately, he moved to his left and began browsing the shelves. He found a volume of Shakespeare’s sonnets and pulled it from the shelf. He hadn’t read the bard in ages. He would indulge himself with Shakespeare before dinner and return here to take it to his room after dinner.

  Then he heard a sneeze. A rather loud, obnoxious sneeze. Turning, he looked across the room and saw no one present. Then another sneeze sounded, even louder than the first and his eyes were drawn to the third wall, made up entirely of windows which overlooked the Woodbridge gardens.

  Sitting in a chair facing those windows was Miss Birmingham. He recognized her from the back because of her unusual shade of hair. Feeling awkward and not wanting to intrude, he turned to slip form the room and promptly bumped into a table. Wincing, he felt eyes upon him and turned.

  “Hello, Miss Birmingham. I came to the library to find something to read. I am sorry if I disturbed you.”

  She had been looking over her shoulder but now rose and came toward him. She was a comely woman with quite the figure and he felt something within him stir.

  “It is you who should forgive me for disturbing your solitude,” she said, chuckling. “The volume of my sneezes is legendary. Freddie has been so cheeky as to tell me they have been so loud that they have awakened him from a sound sleep.”

  Devin couldn’t help but laugh. “So, Freddie is the cheeky one? Or does his brother join in the fun?”

  “Charlie is more a follower, while Freddie is the leader of the pair. Still, I find both boys charming.”

  She indicated a nearby settee. “Would you care to sit and chat with me, my lord? Or would you prefer to read?”

  Given the opportunity to have a conversation with a beautiful woman meant that there was no choice on his part.

  “I would like to sit and visit with you, Miss Birmingham. Although you must forgive me. I may seem a bit rough about the edges. I have been in the army and away from England since I left university and have not been in the company of a lady for some time. Until today.”

  “I know Her Grace was very welcoming to you,” the governess said. “She is the kindest soul I have ever known and very accepting of the boys. In fact, she almost spends as much time with them as I do. His Grace also enjoys time with his nephews.”

  “His Grace is a good man,” Devin said. “It does not surprise me that he sought out his brother’s by-blows and has brought them to be raised at Woodbridge. How long have you been their governess?”

  “Only a couple of weeks,” she shared. “They had no education before they came to Woodbridge. His Grace wishes me to teach them the basics—reading and writing, mathematical operations, and a smattering of history and geography. They are now six and His Grace hopes within a year or two they will be up to snuff and able to go away to school. Her Grace taught them before I arrived and we are still working on lessons together. We both believe it is important for the boys to have time outdoors as much as lessons inside.”

  “Interesting. So you take the classroom outside upon occasion.”

  “Yes, I do. On rides and walks, we talk about both flora and fauna and I point out various geological features of the land to them. Neither boy had ridden before they came to the country but riding daily, they are already quite comfortable in the saddle. You should ride with us some afternoon, my lord. They would enjoy that. It was hard for me to even conduct our reading hour after tea simply because they were so curious and full of questions about you.”

  He raised his hand slightly. “About this, I suppose,” he said testily.

  “No, not at all,” Miss Birmingham assured him. “They wanted to know what you had done in the army. If you had fought in battle. What it is like to be an officer. How you knew their uncle. They are very bright boys and want to know something about everything, which includes learning all they can about their uncle’s friend.”

  Devin felt bad and said, “I apologize for my brusqueness, Miss Birmingham. I find myself in a black mood more often than not. Ever since this happened,” he said, indicating his right hand. “And it isn’t even a battle wound, which makes it even harder to bear.”

  “I am certain it was not only painful but that it has been a difficult adjustment for you, my lord. You will still be adjusting for some time. There is no need for you to apologize, especially to a servant.”

  He liked how frank she was. Not many women of the ton would be. For a moment, he imagined what a life with a woman such as this might be like. Then Devin shook off the thought. He was a man at loose ends, with no income and injured. He had no idea what his future held. Miss Birmingham was a governess. Not of his world but a woman sure of herself and knowing her place in society. They would be totally unsuited to one another.

  The door opened and the Duchess of Woodmont breezed in. “Ah, there you are. Farmwell told me I could find you both here.”

  Devin marveled when he shouldn’t have. Though the butler had not seen Devin since his arrival, as the head servant of the household, he would know everything that occurred within it. He remembered that snippet from his days of growing up at Easton Ridge.

  He turned his attention back to the duchess. “I came to find something to read to pass the time until dinner, Your Grace, and found Miss Birmingham here. She has been enlightening me about Freddie and Charlie.”

  Her Grace laughed, the laughter infectious. “Oh, if you had only known them a few months ago. There were troublemakers from the word go. In fact, they ran off three different governesses before I took over.”

  “I find that hard to believe, having met them. They have perfect manners. However, I was once a boy myself and prone to getting into a bit of mischief. I hope you don’t mind if I spend some time with them while I am visiting you at Woodbridge.”

  “I would encourage it, Lord Devin. For now, however, I have come to collect the both of you for dinner. I invited Percy and Minta and they have already arrived and are frightfully eager to see you.”

  “If you will excuse me, Your Grace,” Miss Birmingham said.

  “No, Miss Birmingham, I will not excuse you,” the duchess said. “I said I came for the both of you. There would be five of us at dinner if you did not join us. You have done so upon occasion in the past and I hope you would help round out the table this evening.”

  Devin watched the blush stain the governess’ cheeks and decided that she might not be as immune to him as he first believed.

  “Then allow me to escort the pair of you to the drawing room,” he said, offering an arm to each of them.

  They took the offered arms and went to meet the others, where Win, Percy, and his marchioness awaited them.

  “Dev!” called Percy, holding his arms wide and then enveloping Devin in a tight bear hug. “It is so good to see you, my friend.”

  He stepped back and turned, indicating a copper-haired beauty with blue eyes and a bulging belly. Immediately, Devin could see the close resemblance between the marchioness and the duchess, though Her Grace had auburn hair and green eyes.

  “May I present to you my marchioness, Lady Kingston?” Percy said, pride evident in his voice. “Darling, this is Lord Devin Hunt, formerly Major Hunt, and as decent a chap as I have ever known.”

  He took the beauty’s hand and kissed it. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. And it is easy to tell you are related to Her Grace.”

  “We are twins, my lord,” the marchioness said. “I am the outgoing, rather pushy one, where my sister is quieter and much better behaved.” She cradled her belly a moment. “I am hoping this little one will be a good mix of Percy and myself. He, too, can be somewhat reserved.”

  “Congratulations to you both,” Devin said. “I have known Percy for several years. He will make a fine father. Or should I say Lord Kingston? I had no idea when we were fellow officers that my friends would rise to such lofty positions in Polite Society.”

  “I better remain Percy to you,” his friend said and then turned. “Ah, Miss Birmingham. It is good to see you again.”

  The governess stepped forward. “I am happy to spend the dinner hour in your company, my lord. You are looking to be in good health, Lady Kingston.”

  The marchioness rubbed her belly. “I am in excellent spirits and feeling quite well, thank you, Miss Birmingham. I am so glad you could join us this evening.”

  A footman came round with a tray and they each took a glass of wine.

  “Shall we toast to a visit from Dev?” Percy asked, raising his glass.

  “That—and something else,” Win said, glancing to his duchess. “Sera and I wish to share with you that we, too, will have a child next year, most likely near the end of May.”

  Lady Kingston burst into tears. She handed her goblet to her husband and threw her arms about her sister. “This is the best news possible, Sera. Who could have predicted we would wed cousins who lived on adjoining estates and we would both have our first child within a few months of one another? I am so happy for you. For us.”

  Devin and Miss Birmingham offered the duchess congratulations.

  Win slipped an arm around his wife’s waist. “We are naturally thrilled. We haven’t told Charlie and Freddie yet so keep that quiet for now.”

  “Do you think they will be jealous?” Percy asked.

  “No,” the duchess said. “I think they will be quite happy about the news. But they are only six—and May is a very long time away.” She smiled. “Perhaps it is for my own sanity that we keep the news to ourselves until the babe begins to show. I am afraid they will constantly ask when their cousin will arrive. If we can put that off for a little while, we think it would be best.”

  “But we did want to share our news with you,” Win said.

  “Dinner is served,” announced Farmwell.

  Devin saw the others pairing up and so he offered his arm to Miss Birmingham.

  “Shall we go to the dining room?”

  “Thank you, my lord,” she said, placing her hand upon his sleeve and smiling.

  His insides tightened at her touch, just as they had when he had escorted her to the drawing room. The subtle scent of violets surrounded her, teasing him.

  Devin itched to kiss Win’s governess.

  And planned to do so before tonight ended.

  Chapter Five

  Julia was in trouble.

  Deep trouble.

  And it all had to do with Major Hunt. No, Lord Devin. He had sold out, arriving at Woodbridge wearing a threadbare officer’s uniform and carrying nothing else. She was one who, because of her circumstances, usually traveled light but found this hard to understand. Almost a decade away from England, in service with His Majesty’s army, yet the man didn’t have anything to wear?

  The duke had apparently relinquished some of his wardrobe to Lord Devin because he was suitably dressed for a country dinner with guests. Julia had already met Lord and Lady Kingston and found them most amiable. Lady Kingston and Her Grace were twins and very different in demeanor, though both were lovely women.

  It had not surprised her when Her Grace asked Julia to come to dinner this evening. She had done so twice before—which was twice more than her previous employer. Lord and Lady Pelham had drawn a firm line between themselves and the governess, as had their entire staff. While Julia had been treated almost as an equal when she served as Lady Sowbury’s companion, being invited to dine at the table when Lady Sowbury had guests and accompany the dowager marchioness to events in the village, the Pelhams treated Julia as the servant she was. She had eaten every meal alone in her cramped room, not really being welcomed at the servants’ table. They viewed her as an upper servant who would report their doings and conversations to the earl and countess. When she realized after a day that they stifled their conversations around her, she had immediately asked to speak to the housekeeper and had requested a tray in her room for meals.

  It had been a lonely three years, with no adult to truly talk with, much different from her time as a companion. She and Lady Sowbury had become good friends. The dowager marchioness had her wits about her, despite being quite elderly. They had discussed current events, politics, and gardening. Julia had read to Lady Sowbury and sewed beside her. The four years spent in Somerset had passed quickly.

  Her time with the Pelhams was happy, however, simply because she adored the two little boys who were her charges. They had been sweet and pleasant, eager at lessons though not the brightest children she had ever known. She spent a majority of her days with them and retired to her room at night to read and work on the next day’s lessons.

  Already, here at Woodbridge, her life was far different. The duchess included her for dinners such as this one. She also came to lessons sometimes, even accompanying Julia and her charges when they went outside for lessons. Her Grace even spent time alone with Freddie and Charlie, often with His Grace present, as well.

  That had left Julia with extra time on her hands, even after she prepared upcoming lessons. She had enjoyed walking about the estate and had met several of the tenants. The head gardener had let her weed and work on a patch of a vegetable garden and even clip some flowers, which she had arranged. Cook had allowed Julia into her kitchens so that she might bake a batch of scones. She also had ridden into Marston, which was the closest village, and done a little shopping there, meeting some of its inhabitants. Between adoring her pupils and having so much time to herself, she believed the next year or two would pass quickly.

  But now Lord Devin had arrived, upsetting her apple cart. Oh, it wasn’t his fault. He had no idea he had turned her world upside down.

  The thing is, she couldn’t understand why.

  Julia had danced at a few assemblies in the two years before her parents’ deaths and her official come-out in London. No man she partnered with had physically affected her the way Lord Devin did. She had not had the opportunity to make her come-out, else her circle of acquaintances, including men, would have been much wider. She wondered if she had been around more gentlemen if she would have a different reaction to Lord Devin and decided most likely not.

  For one thing, the man was devastatingly handsome. He looked like a dark angel might, with hair as black as a raven and light eyes the color of blue ice. He was lean yet fit, obviously muscled; easy to see thanks to the tight breeches and red coat he had previously worn. Just glancing at him caused her heart to palpitate and her mouth to go dry. So far, she had been able to keep her wits about her and carry on what she hoped was a decent conversation.

  She had even asked him to go riding sometime with her and the boys, all said very casually. But if he did? Julia didn’t know if she would have the sense to stay on her horse. One look from him and she felt a blush spill across her cheeks. Even now, her fingers placed on his hard forearm was causing the blood to rush to her ears so that she was afraid she might miss the words if he said something to her amidst the loud whoosh.

  Utterly ridiculous.

  Why would one man make her heart beat rapidly and her pulse flutter in her throat?

  She hadn’t a clue.

  What she did know was that she needed to eat this meal and excuse herself, returning to her room as quickly as possible. The previous two times she had been asked to dine with Their Graces, they had invited her into the drawing room afterward. She and Her Grace had talked not only about the boys but all kinds of things.

  In another life—her old life—she believed she and the duchess might have been friends.

  That life was over, however. Rodney had seen to that. She still felt bitter toward her half-brother, knowing he was guilty of causing her beloved mother’s suicide. She would never be able to forgive Rodney for taking Mama away from her. Yes, sometimes she missed that old life, or rather what it could have been. If Papa had lived, he and Mama would have taken Julia to London for her come-out Season. She would have made all kinds of new friends and met an assortment of gentlemen. Hopefully, one of them would have even been worth marrying. She would never know now, though, because that opportunity and so many others had been stolen from her. With no come-out Season and having to go to work to earn her own living, thoughts of marriage and the children she had always wanted had to be put on a top shelf, far from her reach.