The Seduction of Sara by Karen Hawkins Page A

the bedchambers in the east wing will not be cleaned and aired by the end of the week.”
    â€œBut sir…that’s almost two entire floors!”
    â€œThen I will be keeping my ten guineas,” Nick said gently.
    After a startled moment, a reluctant smile creased the lines on the butler’s elderly face. “I will notify the staff at once, my lord. We will complete the task; see if we don’t.” Beaming, he left the room, a surprising spring to his ancient step.
    As soon as the door closed, Mr. Pratt stood, his chair sliding silently over the thick rug. “Some of this is my fault, my lord. Before you returned, I fear that I mentioned to Wiggs that you might not needthe services of all the servants here. I wasn’t certain what household staff you might be bringing from France.”
    â€œI had no household servants in France, Mr. Pratt. In fact, I had no household.”
    â€œI was unaware of that fact, my lord. Since you sent me a considerable sum each year for investing, I assumed you were living well.” A hint of concern deepened the solicitor’s voice. “You…you did live well, didn’t you, my lord?”
    He shrugged. “I had the money from the sale of Bridgeton House.” And he sincerely hoped its drafty fireplaces were the bane of his damned cousin’s life. Alec deserved no less.
    Those three, long, lonely years on the continent, Nick had lived the life of a wanderer, even when well-heeled. Somehow he’d always known he would return to England, regardless of the promise he’d made Alec.
    Mr. Pratt cleared his throat. “I hope you don’t think I’m being forward, my lord, but when I heard you were returning to England, I feared the intervening years might have…”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI don’t know. Humbled you in some way.”
    Nick raised his brows. “And now?”
    â€œYou have not been humbled, my lord. I’m not sure why you felt it necessary to leave England, and your cousin, Viscount Hunterston, has never mentioned the events that led to your travels. But there were rumors…” The solicitor reddened, then gave an apologetic shrug.
    â€œI was banished from England,” Nick said shortly. “Forced into a nomad’s life due to my errors in dealing with my cousin.”
    â€œOf course, my lord,” Pratt murmured, gathering his ledger. “Very understandable.” He paused, then said quietly, “Lady Hunterston is an exceptional woman.”
    â€œShe is also my cousin’s wife; a fact I managed to forget.” Nick smiled coldly. “Don’t look so crestfallen, Pratt. It was inevitable. Alec and I cannot be in the same room more than ten minutes without coming to blows.”
    â€œI daresay some of that is due to the way your grandfather used to play the two of you against each other.”
    â€œMy grandfather believed Alec worthy. He was not so generous with me.”
    â€œThat was his error, my lord. It has been my pleasure to serve the Montrose family for nigh on thirty years, and regardless of what has happened between you and Lord Hunterston, I’m glad you have returned.”
    â€œAre you? Alec inherited the fortune, not I.”
    â€œLord Hunterston does not hold the title. You do.” Behind his thick spectacles, the solicitor’s eyes warmed. “I can never forget that. In fact, I didn’t even notify Lord Hunterston that you had returned. I thought it would be best if you saw him once you were more settled.”
    Nick flashed a humorless smile. “And could show him my new magnificence?”
    Pratt met Nick’s gaze steadily. “And show himhow you’ve changed. You have, sir. And we both know why.”
    Because the headaches had finally come to him, just as they had come to his mother. It was only a matter of time before his true weakness was exposed, until he sank into the same blackness that had claimed