A Matchmaking Miss by Joan Overfield Page A

been notified at once of his death — not because of the succession, but because he was your brother and you loved him."
    "That's the odd part, you know," Joss said, his tone reflective. "I
did
love Frederick, despite what he was, what he had become. Perhaps that is why I was so angry."
    "Perhaps." Raj smiled. "And I wouldn't worry about Miss Stone if I were you. From what the servants have said, she is a most understanding lady. I am sure she knows it was your pain that was speaking, and not your temper."
    "I wouldn't be too certain of that," Joss said, remembering the contempt in her eyes as she denounced Frederick. "She is rather rigid in her opinions, and she hasn't the slightest qualm about voicing them. She'll doubtlessly ring a peal over my head at the first opportunity."
    "Then let her ring it." Raj hid his amusement at the vision of the strident Miss Stone tearing a strip off his friend. "It can cause you no harm. As for now, I would suggest we start back to the house. I encountered Lady Louisa in the kitchen, and she said something about having a neighbor over for tea."
    The thought of encountering one of his countrified neighbors was not at all to Joss's liking, but he repressed the flash of irritation. He knew he'd have to face them sooner or later, and he supposed he might as well get it over with. "Very well," he said, pushing himself to his feet with a weary sigh. "But must we start backnow? It is scarcely one o'clock."
    "True, but given the deplorable shape of our mounts I daresay it will take us a couple of hours at least to make it back to the stables," Raj complained with a rich chuckle. "You must look to replenishing your stables, my lord, if you wish to maintain your standing in the neighborhood."
    Joss gave his gray a thoughtful look, realizing for the first time that he was actually home. "I do believe you are right, Raj," he said at last, a cautious feeling of contentment stealing over him. "I shall see to it at once."
    "Stone! What are you doing still up?" Lady Louisa's voice was gently admonishing as she glowered at her companion. "You promised me you would lie down!"
    "My apologies, my lady." Matty tucked a stray curl back beneath her mob cap as she tallied another row of figures. "But I wish all to be ready for his lordship, should he wish to inspect the ledgers. It will take but a moment longer."
    Lady Louisa tapped her foot impatiently, her dark blond brows gathering in a frown as she debated the best way of handling the situation. Suddenly her brows lifted, a cunning light stealing into her soft blue eyes. "It is probably just as well," she said with a dramatic sigh. "LordKirkswood was quizzing me about your exact position here, and I am sure he will be gratified to learn you are so diligent about earning your keep."
    The pen fell from Matty's ink-stained fingers and she shot the marchioness an outraged look. "Oh, will he?" she snapped, her mouth firming with anger. "Did he seem to imply otherwise?"
    "Well," Lady Louisa answered truthfully, "he
did
ask several questions about your salary, and the exact nature of your duties, but I am sure he was only curious." Here she gave Matty a placating smile.
    "Ha!" Matty dismissed these reassurances with a derisive snort. "And to think that but a few minutes later he was implying
you
were a cruel taskmaster threatening to work me until I dropped in the traces! The deceitful oaf!"
    "Oh, I am sure Joss isn't in the least deceitful!" Lady Louisa protested, with genuine alarm. "He is a gentleman."
    "As if that was any sort of recommendation," Matty grumbled, burning with fury at the thought that the marquess should believe she was taking advantage of the marchioness. Well, she'd be hanged if she would spend even another moment balancing the wretched accounts, she decided, pushing herself away from the desk and rising to her feet. But the sudden motion made the room swim before her eyes,and she grabbed onto the edge of the desk for support.
    Lady Louisa was at