Chapter 2

Chapter Two

Oscar

I knew I was making a mistake before signing the contract with the Everton Domestic Society. One look at Ann Wittman's soulful gray eyes, full bosom, and luscious curves, and I should have walked, no run, out and never looked back.

The issue is that I need her help. That was the only reason I stayed and agreed to have her in my home. It wouldn't do to have the entire ton know that I was duped. They already think I'm an oddity who only loves the wilds of Scotland and the natural world.

In one day in residence, Ann had my study, the parlor, and three of the bedrooms thoroughly cleaned.

The maids are hard at work cleaning the rest of the house at Ann's command.

As if my thoughts conjured her, she knocks on the open door to my study. "May I enter, my lord?"

Heart pounding, I stand. "Of course, Miss Wittman." I gesture to the chair, round my desk, and join her in the seating area. The room is so much cleaner, it's hardly recognizable.

"About the butler and housekeeper, do you know where they are?" She never takes her gaze from mine. "Oh, and are they in good health?"

"I told you, they went with Mr. Bellston. I think they're in Surry." Even that's only a guess.

Her smile muddles my senses. Smart and lovely, when she smiles, she's like the dawn of a new day. If I'm not careful, she'll turn me into a poet.

"I meant the former housekeeper and butler, whom you pensioned. Do you know where they are? Perhaps they'd be willing to return temporarily or for a longer term if they are up to it."

"I hadn't thought of that." Such a simple solution to what seemed insurmountable. She's smarter than I thought, smarter than me, for certain. Why does everything about this Everton lady intrigue me?

"If you'll give me their addresses, I'll write to them on your behalf and see if some arrangements can be made. I assume you're able to compensate them, as well as a few more maids and a lady's maid for the young miss." Ann continued her direct regard.

Some people are intimidated by my size and growly demeanor. Ann is not among them. As far as I can tell, my presence does not affect her at all and it's damned frustrating. "I am fully solvent. I know it seems as if I'm inept, but that's not entirely true."

Her hands are neatly folded in her lap. Her peach day dress hasn't a single wrinkle. She came with no lady's maid, so how is she always perfect? "What do you do in Scotland?"

"I beg your pardon?" How does she know about Scotland?

"Your sister lamented your time there and you also mentioned it when we first met. I wondered what attracts you to that house so much that you neglected your other properties." There's no judgment in her questions, only curiosity.

"I enjoy the quiet of Bielddubh. I'm working on an experiment to see if blending crops can make them unpalatable for insects yet maintain the taste for humans to enjoy. I have many other scientific experiments ongoing there as well." This is the point where most people's eyes glaze over.

Ann's brighten. "That's fascinating. Did you make any progress?"

"Some. Though not as much as I'd hoped for." I keep it vague as I've learned that boring people with my theories only sends them away faster. For some reason, I don't want Ann to go away.

"I'd like to hear more about it, but perhaps you'd better show me the bookkeeping records for the houses. Do you have all three here?"

"I brought everything from Bielddubh, and of course, this house's records are available. I didn't have time to go to Kensfield Manor. We'll have to make a trip there at some point." I have arguments ready for her rebuke. I expect she'll refuse to travel with me out of London or run back to Everton House immediately.

Nodding, Ann smiles. "Let's have a look at what you have."

I go to the desk, and she follows. I pull two stacks of books and papers from the lower drawer and place them on the desk. "Would you like to work here? I can occupy myself elsewhere if you wish."

"That's fine, my lord. At some point, I may have questions." She sits in my father's chair, and I think it suits her better than it ever did me.

There's something about her that soothes me. My time in London has always felt rushed, as I wished to be anywhere else. Suddenly, the family house doesn't feel as daunting as it has in the past.

Perhaps I should do what other men of my rank do and go to the gentleman's club. Or I could help in the gardens, which are the only part of this house still functioning as they should. Instead, I take a book from the shelf and sit near the hearth. Ann might have questions for me. I should be available to her.

Thirty minutes pass before I realize the book is about parliamentary law. As I have not filled my father's seat, it's not interesting. I should change my ways and be a better, more normal earl. The very thought makes me nauseous.

Head down, Ann turns page after page. She organizes and makes notes as I watch from the other side of the room.

When she looks up, she catches me staring at her. "You didn't mention that Mr. Bellston ran off with more than the maid, my lord. He appropriated quite a bit of your money as well."

It's not as if I thought she wouldn't find it. I just hoped she'd ignore it and move on. "It's irrelevant to the job I wish you to do, Miss Wittman."

She folds her forearms at the edge of the desk which pushes her breasts up to the point where I worry for the ability of her frock to contain them.

My discomfort grows, and I adjust my seat to ensure she can't detect my state.

After a moment, she cocks her head. "You don't intend to recover those funds or make the man pay for his crime against you?"

"No. That would mean all of England knowing he'd played me for a fool." My gut knots, but at least my arousal has faded.

"I suppose pride is an excuse for letting a thief get away with so much money, but it's not a good one. You leave this man out in society where he can hurt other unsuspecting people." Her cheeks get rosy, but her expression remains calm.

The longer I look at her, the more I wonder if this arrangement is a good idea. I could call Lady Jane Everton and tell her that as bright as Miss Wittman is, she cannot come to my house. Last night I drank enough to fall asleep and not think of her down the hall. I can't behave like that every night. Perhaps if she were disdainful toward me, my desire would wane. "I shall let those other people deal with their own problems. It is not my function to rescue the world."

Her adorable chin wrinkles before she returns her attention to the pages on the desk. "Your point is taken, my lord."

"Once we've hired a proper lady's maid for Louisa, I think it would be better if you lived at Everton House and worked here as needed. I'm sure that would be more suitable for you as well as for me. Having a stranger in the house all the time isn't advisable in this day of shysters and thieves." As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I wish them back in.

As if the world has slowed, Ann closes the account book and lifts her gaze to mine. "Perhaps you are right. It will be strange to have a governess who doesn't live in your home, but I shall think of something to explain that away should anyone ask."

The eyes that I admired for the last hour have turned cold. She despises me and I deserve it. I wanted this and I can see that I'm getting exactly what I asked for. So, why does my chest ache as if someone even larger than me threw a bag of grain on top of it? I should be happy. If she hates me, all temptation is removed.

I've never been more miserable in my life. "I'm certain you will conjure a believable story."

Her jaw shifts from side to side before she stands. Never taking her attention from me, she walks to the door. "I don't know how I offended you, my lord. I think that this arrangement is in error. I am neither a thief nor a liar. I agreed to this at your request and with the understanding that you would behave as a gentleman. Had I known that you would be insulting, I would have remained in the Everton parlor, bored out of my mind."

My upbringing forces me to my feet when she rises. It takes all my energy to stay near the fireplace. My short nails dig into my palms as punishment for my abhorrent behavior. I remain in place as she turns on her heels and leaves the study.

I'm still frozen a moment later when Louisa walks in. "Uncle, what is wrong with Miss Wittman?"

"Nothing. Why do you ask?" I return to my seat and pick up the law book, which I have no intention of reading.

"She ran up the stairs and ignored my greeting. I think she may have been crying. Did you say something to upset her? She hardly seems the type to fall to tears easily. After all, she withstood my mama." She turns and looks toward the foyer and stairs. "Perhaps I should go check on her."

My soul is straining with pain. I'm a terrible person. I hurt a lovely woman to quell my own feelings. In the end, none of that has changed and I'm no longer a gentleman. "Louisa, you can go practice your pianoforte. I shall check on Miss Wittman. It was my callousness that injured her."

"Uncle, what did you do?" Generally demure, she looks ready to do me physical harm with her fist clenched at her hips. "We need Miss Wittman to get me a suitable and not horrible husband so I don't have to go back and live with Mother after the season. Besides, she seems a very nice lady. Why would you hurt her feelings?"

"Because I'm a dolt." I put the book aside, stride from the study, and up the stairs. I have no idea what I'm going to say.

Soon I'm standing outside Ann's guest quarters and have no idea how to make this right without giving away my ungentlemanly thoughts regarding her. I have made an impossible situation worse. I tap on her door. "Miss Wittman?"

There's no reply.

"Ann?" I lean on the door frame. "Forgive me. I'm an unmitigated ass. I know you are a fine lady of unquestionable morals and ethics."

The door swings open, nearly toppling me. Ann's eyes are red, as are her nose and cheeks. "They why would you imply otherwise, my lord." She narrows her gaze. "Or have we taken liberties and I'm to call you Oscar now?"

I like the sound of my name on her lips. I like it far too much. There is a solution. "Miss Wittman, I'm sorry. I must decline to explain my behavior downstairs. However, I do not wish for you to leave. Louisa needs you. I need you." Closing my eyes so she's not so beautiful and near helps me to gather my thoughts.

"I don't think I can stay in the same house with you, my lord. You have created an environment where I no longer feel safe." The last word is tight and holds back more emotions.

"I will leave. I can stay at my club or with my mother and you can stay here with Louisa. I will attend whatever balls you think will help her cause. If you require my attention on business issues, you may send a footman with a note and I will come." I swallow down regret and desire and hope this arrangement is enough. "I'm not above begging you, Ann. I made a promise to my sister not to mention my obligations to my title. I need you here, but my presence is beside the point." The irony is not lost on me. All these years, I wanted to be left alone. I wanted the Earl of Kendall to go unnoticed and now I've made myself extraneous.

With wide blue eyes, she backs up several steps. "This makes no sense. "

"I know it seems that way," I say from the threshold. "I have ruined a great many things in my life. It has always been this way. Let me do this one thing right, at least for my niece."

She stares out the window for a long moment. "I will agree to this, but I hope you will explain your behavior at some point. For now, it's enough that you have apologized and will leave the house. I have one condition."

Heart in my throat, I say, "Yes?"

Turning, she has her emotions under control and only her swollen eyes and red nose betray that she had been crying. "I will contact Lady Jane and see if Lady Honoria Chervil can join me here. She will act as a chaperon and thus protect my reputation."

I can see where my erratic behavior has made her feel protection is required. "Of course, invite Lady Chervil to join you here and let Lady Everton know she can increase my invoice for service to accommodate a chaperon."

She folds her hands together in front and nods. "Very well. I will stay. I will let you know when we are ready to begin accepting invitations."

"Thank you." I step back. "I'll pack and be out of the house within the hour."

She frowns. "Do you not have a valet, my lord?"

"I've never seen the point. I can take care of myself." The truth is that I never took the time to hire one. The valet from my youth was elderly and died when I was sixteen. My father died a few years later. Living in Scotland focused on science; having a valet never seemed important.

Even when she rolls her eyes, Ann is beautiful. "I shall put a valet on my list of employees to hire."

I force a serious look even though I want to smile. With a bow, I turn and go to my chamber to pack and leave the house.