Her Beguiling Butler Read Online Free PDF

brother. I visited with my da. But I was in service to a wool merchant, as I told you. That, my father said, or I had to go in to service for the Macombs. But I left Maidstone for London, I did.”
    “How long ago?”
    “Sir?” The boy was stalling.
    “How long ago did you leave to come to London?”
    “Oh, August it was.”
    “And Lady Ranford hired you on here in August, didn’t she?” That is what Grimes had told him when he met him on his first day here as butler to Alicia. He had believed him then.
    “Aye, sir.” Grimes picked a piece of apple from his coat.
    Finnley reverted to the issue of two visitors. “The two Macombs were very familiar with you, Grimes. I will be plain and tell you I did not care for it. They were not proper to ask you such things. If they try again, do tell me. I will go to Lady Ran—“
    Grimes cast him a look of alarm. “Please don’t do that. I mean, sir, I can be good to not talk to them. If they come again. Will they?”
    “I’m afraid so.”
    “I will stay away. Well away.”
    That alone sent chills up Finnley’s spine. “Are they that displeasing to you?”
    “Aye, sir, they are.”
    “Would you care to tell me why?”
    Grimes stared at him. “I don’t care for the lady. She…irritates me.”
    Interesting. The woman makes my skin prick, as well. “Has she done anything that aggravates you?”
    “I don’t like the way she looks at me.”
    “As if—?”
    “She’s going to eat me alive.”
    Well, then, that makes two of us. “Good of you to tell me, Grimes. We shall endeavor to keep them well away from you.”
    “Thank you, sir.” The footman got to his feet, and with a feigned smile and brief thanks, he hurried away.
    What was the cause of Miss Macomb‘s attitude toward Grimes? He’d make a point to learn.
    In the meantime, he needed to carry a tray upstairs to Alicia. She was ailing and she needed more biscuits and another pot of hot tea.
    He’d find out more about these two callers and what they were truly about.
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    “Oh, superb!” Alicia cooed and clasped her hands, then winced at her moves. “You brought more food.”
    He walked straight to her this time. He was getting used to being near her. The headiness of her laughter and her joy in life, in food—and yes, in him was exhilarating. He set down the new tray, removed the old and shook out a large serviette for her lap.
    She tipped her head to and fro, happy with his attentions.
    He was happy with her attitude…and the way her breasts bobbed beneath the damned delicious muslin gown.
    Garrrr. He backed away and sat in the large Louis Quatorzechair near her bed.
    “Will you have tea now, dear Finnley?”
    He nodded. Yes, by god, he would. He had much to learn from her. While he hadn’t planned to discover what facts he required for his investigation from her directly, he could now. So he would.
    And guard your sentiments in the process, old man.
    He took the cup and saucer from her, careful not to touch her. No need to feed his temptations.
    “There now.” She settled into her pillows again.
    “I’ve set Preston to the task of bringing up new cold compresses for your knees and hands every hour on the hour.” He sipped his tea. Took a chomp out of a biscuit. Tore his gaze from the beauty of how her nipples peaked dark rose beneath the muslin.
    “Tell me about the Macombs,” she said.
    “They seem truly interested in aiding you in your re-entry to society.”
    “Hmm.” She raised her brows as she nibbled on a biscuit. “I’m certain. Harold—Mr. Macomb, that is—was one of my suitors years ago before Lord Ranford won my hand from my father. He seemed kind and unassuming then. I’d known him for years, of course, because his sister Louise and I were friends.”
    How to learn the intimate facts of her engagement to Ranford was a delicate task, which he did not know how to broach. On a whim, he went in the opposite direction. “Would you have preferred Mr. Macomb