Never Dance with a Marquess (The Never Series Book 2), Maggi Andersen [best short novels of all time TXT] 📗

bad after years of war. Many desert the country and crowd into the city.” He straightened his shoulders. “But I’m better off than most. I still have my limbs and my sight.”

“The Duke of Shewsbury has set up a foundation to help ex-soldiers,” Nicholas said. “Heard of it?”

Warren shook his head. “Too many ahead of me there.”

“But why have you had no success? You’re an educated man.”

His expression turned bitter. “My brother spread lies about me in the city, and people shut their doors to me. I gave up seeking the work I’m trained to do. But I wanted to get out of London, found it hard to breathe there.” He shrugged. “I struggled to regain a sense of myself after the war. Life is easier out here.”

Nicholas inclined his head in agreement. He knew what war could do to a man. But he wasn’t about to patronize him.

“Been traveling the country for about a year now,” Warren said, draining his cup. “When the stranger, Vano, told me whose estate this was, it surprised me.”

Nicholas made a snap decision. “Fortuitous, perhaps. My secretary, Paul Williams, has inherited a property and plans to marry. I am searching for his replacement. Would you consider the position?”

Warren’s eyes widened, and he attempted to tidy his overlong hair. “I would be grateful, Cap...milord.” He gazed down at his ragged clothing, his broken nails, and the ingrained dirt on his hands. “I’m not in suitable shape for such a post.”

“That is easily remedied.” Nicholas grinned. “A good soak and a haircut will do wonders.” And a few square meals. “My valet will take care of it. He’ll drum up some clothes to fit you for the time being.”

Hope crept into Warren’s eyes. “That’s generous of you, milord.”

“Nonsense. I know how much pluck you have. You saved many lives during the war.” There were still too many good men unrecognized by the government for their years of service, starving on the streets of London.

“Why don’t you pack up here and come to the house. I’ll alert my butler, Abercrombie.”

He cleared his throat. “I’d prefer the servants’ entrance, milord.”

“Whatever feels comfortable. The staff will expect you.” Nicholas rose to leave. “Do you have food?”

“Enough rations for a day or so.”

“Come when you’re ready.”

Warren straightened. He raised a hand to salute, then dismay darkening his eyes, he bowed instead.

Nicholas chuckled. “None of that.”

Warren grinned. “Sorry, milord.”

The matter needed sensitive handling. Nicholas didn’t want to rob the man of whatever pride he had left. He’d seen it too often. A man could be stripped of so much that he lost sight of himself. And the path back was hard. Would Warren show up or move on? He wasn’t entirely sure. Nicholas hoped he would stay. Warren was reliable, and he liked him.

He rode back to the house. When he entered the stable block, his head groom hurried over to take his horse. “I thought you should know, my lord, Lord Leeming has ridden off on the chestnut.”

Nicholas frowned. “Alone?”

“Yes, my lord. I suggested he take Daniel, but his lordship said he didn’t need a groom as he had your permission. I suspected he didn’t, but…” He shrugged.

Nicholas eased his tense shoulders. “Did he say where he was headed?”

“North. Said he wanted to follow the river to see where it led him.”

“He might not get far. The river overflows its banks in some places.” Aquilo needed food and water. “Saddle Prince. I’ll return in a moment.”

When Nicholas entered the house, strains of Beethoven drew him to the music room. Carrie looked up as he came in. “It appears your brother has ridden off somewhere.”

“With a groom?”

“Refused the offer of one.”

“Oh, how foolish of him.” She rose quickly from the piano.

“Did he mention anything to you?”

“No. He must have gone to visit the dogs as you suggested at breakfast.”

“Perhaps.” He was about to leave the room when she called him. “But it disappointed him not to see the ruins.”

“Do you think Bella knows where he’s gone?”

“No. She has been in the schoolroom all morning.” She hurried over to him. “May I come with you?”

“No, Carrie. I must leave right away.”

She followed him from the room. “But it’s best I deal with him, as he listens to me. Can you not wait for me to change?”

Nicholas searched her worried face, his admiration for her tinged with frustration. He wished he could enfold her in his arms to ease her anxiety. “Jeremy is now my responsibility,” he said in a gentle tone.

“You seem concerned. Might he have taken it into his mind to go to the ruins of your ancestral home?”

“If that was his intention, he is unlikely to succeed and is probably riding home this very moment. The river will have flooded the low-lying meadows.”

Her eyes widened, and she put a finger to her mouth. “Jeremy is stubborn. He’ll find a way through.”

Nicholas stepped closer and took her hands. “I’m being overly cautious. Jeremy will be with his pup. He’s likely to arrive back any minute.”

“Yes,” she murmured, but her expression spoke of her doubts.

He took her hands and gently squeezed them, his thumb stroking her smooth skin. Aware of the inappropriateness of the gesture, he released her hands. “Don’t be too hard on Jeremy if he comes back before I do. Wait for my return. I don’t want him getting his dander up and storming off somewhere again.”

Carrie inclined her head, seeing the sense of it, her big eyes searching his in appeal. “I’m sure you’ll find him, Nicholas.”

Her faith in him made his chest tighten. What if he failed and Jeremy reached the ruins? With a reassuring smile, he left the room.

Nicholas would bring Jeremy safely home. He refused to consider anything else.