“I’m sure we’re both finding our new roles challenging,” she said.
“Yes. I must serve at dinner tonight, and I have no idea what I am doing. I’ll be lucky not to spill soup on Lady John. But Master Johnny seems a sweet boy. Why does he seem to want me to cry?”
Lucy ducked her head but not before he saw her cheeks turn red. “I have no idea,” she said. “Children are quite strange.” She pointed to a bench near some wild roses. “Might we sit here? I’m exhausted.”
Duncan had never heard Lucy admit she was so much as tired much less exhausted. Even after a full day of training at the Farm, she’d always been ready to attempt to best him at whatever came next.
She sat and sighed.
He took a seat beside her and paused a moment, feeling the cool of the evening coming on and allowing the sweet scents of flowers and the limes on the tree near them to penetrate his senses. It had been a long time since he had taken a moment to just sit and enjoy. “My father would love this place,” he said. “He’s an avid birdwatcher. I’ve spotted thrushes, a nightingale, and a woodpecker already.”
She looked about as if noticing the birds flitting about for the first time.
“That’s a finch,” he said, pointing to one.
“Tell me what you’ve learned today.”
Very well. She wasn’t interested in birds. Duncan cleared his throat. “The doors and windows on the ground floor and first floor are secure. One or two had broken latches, but I either repaired them or assisted with the work. That doesn’t mean no one could get in, but I’ve made it harder, and in the case of a broken window, noisier for anyone who wants to attempt it.” He looked at her. “I know the second floor is less likely to be of concern. Did your examination find any windows or doors needing repair? I can see to them in the morning.”
Lucy closed her eyes. “I didn’t have an opportunity to examine the doors and windows. I will do it tomorrow, I assure you. Perhaps I can examine a few while the family is at dinner.”
Duncan had to make a distinct effort to keep his jaw from dropping. Lucy had not completed a task? This was unlike her. She always completed tasks. Once they had gone on an early morning run, and she’d sprained her ankle coming down a small hill. Her brother, Will, had urged her to stop, but she had refused. She’d hobbled and hopped to the finish line. Duncan remembered waiting several hours just to see her cross. They all had, and he’d thought then that she was the most magnificent creature he’d ever known. Clearly, the role of nanny was a challenge for her. Duncan knew her well enough to know that if she didn’t want help on a run with a sprained ankle, she wouldn’t accept it with her new charge—even if there had been a way for him to help.
“What were your impressions of the staff?” she asked.
“They are exactly who they seem. McAlpin and Mrs. Cox have been with Lord Russell for years, since before his marriage to Lady John. Michaud, the cook, was hired shortly after the marriage. The length of employment doesn’t mean they couldn’t be part of a plot, but I’m more inclined to look at recent additions.”
“As am I. Wilhemina the nurse was hired just a few weeks before the baby’s birth. I have no reason to suspect her thus far, but I will watch her. The nursery maid, Ada, is also relatively new. I haven’t had a chance to speak to her very much. You have more access to the staff than I.”
He detailed what he knew of the valet, the footmen, the gardener, the grooms and the lodgekeeper and his wife.
“What about the maids?” she asked.
“I haven’t spent as much time with them, but so far I’ve seen nothing suspicious.”
“Not even from Molly?” she asked.
Duncan blinked. “Molly? No. She’s been nothing but kind and welcoming.”
Lucy rolled her eyes.
“What’s that about?”
“Of course, she is kind and welcoming to you. You’re a handsome new footman. She was rather less courteous to me last night, especially before I told her I was your sister and she thought me a rival.”
Duncan knew he was to be listening to Lucy’s assessment, but his mind had ceased to function when she’d called himhandsome. Lucy thought he was handsome?
“I suggest you look past her blue eyes and put her at the top of the list of suspects.”
“At the top? I can hardly see Molly as an agent for a labor group. Not to mention, she’s had access to Johnny for months. She could have harmed him a hundred times.”
“Perhaps she’s waiting for some sort of signal.”
“You cannot be serious.”
“Duncan, stop being a man for once and consider that even a pretty woman can be dangerous.”
Oh, he knew that well. Lucy was beautiful and dangerous as hell.
