"ShallI move, my lord? " Daniel's driver asked as he drew abreast of hiscarriage. "Aservant keeps insistingthatIshouldn't park here, butI told himthat you said I should, so here I'd be waiting."
"Stayput, " Daniel ordered, turning to glare at thefellow now rushing towardhim from the townhouse.
"Ye cain't be parkin' yer hack here. Have yer driver move it.
We don't need the road blocked out front here, " the harried-looking fellow announced, and Daniel raised a supercilious eyebrowatthefellow. The man's pink livery was uglybut easy to digest, but hiding hissurpriseas he took inthe man's damaged face took some doing.The butler had nonose! He wasalso missing severalteeth, had long hair, and wore a pistol sticking out of his breeches. Catching Daniel's glance at the weapon, the fellow scowled and fastened his waistcoat. "Isaid - "
"I heard what you said, " Danielinterruptedcoldly. "I simply cannot believe your temerity in attempting to order me about."
The man rolled his eyes, not looking the least impressed. "Now seehere, them's me orders. I'mto bemaking surethatyou fellers ain't clutteringup theroad with yercarriages.Ifall of ye was to be parkingyerhacksouthere, no one would be able to get by andtheca - er - Lady Valoree, she was sayingshe didn't want no trouble with the neighbors, so we're to seethecarriages move along once their passengersis out of'em."
"By all means, do so with the other 'guests.' However, my carriageshallwait right here for me, "Danielannounced firmly, bringing ascowl to theservant's face. Theman lookedabout to argue the point, but another carriage pulled up just then, distracting him.
"Oh, now, ye can't be parkin' yer hack here!" he shouted, movingon to the new carriageina fury. Daniel glanced back curiously to see Beecham stepping out.Blinkingin surprise atthe surly servant, the nobleman directed something quickly to his driver, and the hack pulled away, leavinghim to hurry up the walk.
"Thurborne, " he said in greeting, glancing over his shoulder toward the fellow with no nose. "I really must talk to Lady Ainsley about her servants. They are quite - "
"Unusual? "
Daniel suggested.
"Impertinent? Loud? Disreputable-looking? "
"All of those, " Beechamagreed as they paused on the steps to the town house andDaniel rapped on the door with his cane.
If the first servant had seemed somewhat disreputable, the servantwhoopened thedoorwas downright scary. He filledthe door like death, aswide asand even taller than, it was, having to stoop tostand in itsframe, completely blocking any passage. His skinwas a deep, rich mahogany, his head bald, and his teeth shone as he smiled a white smile that was anything but friendly.
"Yer cards."
Daniel blinked at the deep growl and handed hiscard over, silently eyeing theman's thickarms as he took bothit andthe card Beecham supplied. Barely glancing at them, the fellow steppedback forthe two nobles to enter, then tossed their cards on atray, where a smallmountain ofothers resided. He gestured towarda door on their left, behind which the sound of voices could be heard. It seemedopening the door andannouncing them was not part of his duties.
Amused, Daniel started for the door, only to pause andglance back when Beecham asked curiously, "What did you want our cards for if you had no intention of presenting them to your mistress orannouncing us? "
In the process of closingthe door, the giant paused to eye young Beechamnarrowly."So's I'll know where to deliveryeif yecausetrouble and I have to knock yeout."
Even Daniel blinked at that announcement, hismouth drawing into an astounded smile. "And how will youknow which card belongs to whom? " he asked smugly. "You have quite a collection there, myman."
The fellow's expression didn't change at all; hemerely said, "I'll know."
And really, Daniel suddenlysuspected the man would. Shaking his head, he turned backto the door and opened it. Having done so, he frozeinshock.The room was overflowing withmen. There were at least thirtyof them in thesmall salon - and every single oneof themwas trying to be heard overtheothers.
"My God, "Beechambreathed, moving to his side to surveythe room. Daniel glanced at himgrimly.
"Aye. It wouldseem herplan worked, " hemurmured, not at all pleased by this turnof events.
"What plan? " Beechamaskedfaintly, his glazed eyes shifting from one suitor to another. Knowing the man's penchant for keepingaccounts, Daniel surmised he was counting them.
"Herplan to spread thewordthatshe is wealthyand desperate for ahusband, " Daniel explained patiently. "She washoping that it would bring the suitors scurrying. It appears that her plan worked. Everygold-digger inLondon has shown up." Hemade a disgusted face, thennoticed Beecham's alarmed expression. "Is that not why youarehere? "
"Nay!" Beecham criedat once. "At least - Well, the money isn't really important.I mean, money is always nice, but Lady Ainsley is ... She's . .." His voice trailed away helplessly, his expression slightly moony.
"Aye. She is, "Daniel agreed darkly. Stepping into theroom, he madehisway throughthe crowdof male bodies toward where they seemed most dense. That was wherehe wouldfind Valoree, no doubt.At the centerof the hive.
"Your hairis like fire."
"Your beautyis incomparable."
"Your lipsarelike little rosebuds."
"You are as sweetas honey."
"Oh, your voice ismusic itself."
Valoree sighed inwardly and tapped her hand impatiently against her side as compliment after complimentwas bestowed by the men crowding around her. It was all a bunchofbunk, of course.Herface was red and blistered, her eyes bloodshot, and her hair was lying flatandunfancy uponherback because she had refused to wear her damn wig.She had left it inThurborne's garden, anyway. In short, she looked likehell.Andshe knew she looked like hell. Nor was she terribly impressed with all the flowery phrases with which suitors were showering her.
It seemed her plan had worked too well. Thesalon was filling up by the moment with hopeful would-behusbands.Itwas nice tohavea choice, but really, how was she to choose one fromthis mob?
A firm grasp onher armmade her glance aroundto see Daniel.
"Good morning, "he mouthed with a wink, then turned and started away, dragging her firmly behind him. Her crowd of gentleman callers immediately began to follow, their silly compliments undiminished as they trailedher to the door of the salon. Stepping into the hall, Danielpulled herout, then slammed the door in their faces.
"Good day, " he murmured, smiling pleasantly asheturned to face her, leaninghis weight determinedly againstthedoor and holding the knob firmly. He duga bedraggledand knottedwig from his pocketwith hisotherhand. "Youleft this behind last night."
Valoree couldn't help it;she burst outlaughing as she tookthe wig, then shookher head and sighed. "Good day to you, too.
Thank youfor getting meout of there."
"Yes. Itseemsyour plan worked."
'Too well, "she admitted sardonically asthe doorrattledwith the combined force of those who sought to openit.
"Well, " he continued cheerfully, "I could rid you of this problemshould you butreconsider marrying me."
Valoree smiled slightlyathis words, but shook her head. "I never reconsider adecision. That wouldmake me wishy-washy.
Oncea decision hasbeenreached, good or bad, it stands."
"Thatsoundsincredibly foolish."
Valoree shrugged, vaguely annoyed but unswayed. She had spentmostof her lifeon a ship, and the last five years as its captain. She wasn'tgoing to allow one man's opinion to change herway ofdoing things.
"Whatif there was some bit ofinformation that you did not know before you made your decision? " he suggested. "Surely, should you learn something new, and of import, you would reconsider - "
"That's not reconsidering; that isa new consideration entirely, "
she toldhim calmly.
"But that's the same thing!"
"What is twoplus two, my lord? "
He blinked at the non sequitur. "Four, but - "
"And what is two plus twotake awayone? "
'That would bethree, but - "
"Exactly.Yousee.Two separate mathematical problems. With two different answers, despite both havinga similar portion."
He staredat her blankly fora moment; then admirationslowly began to shift over his face. "Why, you clever little witch. I believe you couldtwistsomeintellectuals intoknots with your thoughts. Are you always sological? "
Valoree blinked at the question. No one hadevercalled her logical before. A knock atthe front door savedher from having to comeup withan answer. Turning, she watched as Bull moved toward the door, positive it would be more damn suitors like thosetheyhad trappedinthesalon.
"Oh, my!" a female voice cried out in surprise, but Bull blocked Valoree's view of whoit was."Oh, hello, um ... Iamhere tosee Lady - "
"Mother!"
Valoree blinked atDaniel'sirritatedvoice, thenleft him alone to guard the salon door - which no longer shook, the suitors apparently resigned to wait in peace. She moved curiously to Bull's side to seethat it was indeed Lady Thurborne.
"Oh, Lady Ainsley, " Daniel'smother exclaimedwith relief as Valoree moved into view. "For a moment, I feared I had the wrong town house. Danieljustwaved downthe street. He did not pointout exactly which one it wasand - Oh, hello, Daniel, " she said, easing cautiously pastBull and into the entry.
Her son did not look impressed, Valoree noted with amusement, taking in his expression. "What are youdoing here, Mother? "he asked.
"Oh, well, I thoughtmayhap Icould help."
"Help? " Valoree asked withamazement. Surely hismother had notcome to plead his case asto whyshe should marry her son?
"Yes, dear." Lady Thurborne whirled toward her, smiling brightly. "Daniel mentioned that he had stopped at the apothecary's to collectsomesalve for your poor face because you had reacted to - Oh, my!" sheinterrupted herself inhorror.
Bull had swungthe door wider for a nervous young maid to scamper insideand sunlightspilled over Valoree, illuminating her ravaged face.
"Oh, you poor, dear thing, you!"she cried, hurryingforward to catch Valoree's facegently in herhands, turning it this way and thatto examinethe blisteredskin. "Oh, Daniel. You didnottell me it wasso bad!That nonsenseyou got from the apothecary will beuseless."
Then she turned to scowl ather son."Didyou know aboutthis last night? " she asked sharply, and read the answer in his expression. "Well, you shouldhave told me about this. She needs Grandmama'sremedy forcertain."Sighing, she turned back to stareat Valoree one more time, then released Valoree's face and shook her head."Itis agood thing I stoppedbyto see what was about. Now, whereis your kitchen? "
"Kitchen? " Valoree repeated blankly. Her mind was still taken with the factthat Danielhad stopped atanapothecary's to pick up some salvefor her "poor face." For some reason, that fact made her feel all warm and squishy inside. It wasafeeling she wasn't sure sheliked, but was farbetter thanthe irritation allthe false compliments her suitorshad been raining on herhad caused.
"Yes, dear. Bessy will need to mix up Grandmama's remedy."
Shefrowned now. "I wish I hadknown about this sooner.I would have brought the ingredients, but hopefully yourcookwillhave them on hand. Where is the kitchen? "
"Uh ... well..." Valoree glanced uncertainly down the hall.
Petey hated anyone in his kitchen. At sea or on land, it wasthe one thingon whichhe tended tostand firm. Noone wasto mess about in hisgalley. Not even her.
'Thisway, isit? " Lady Thurborneasked, movingdeterminedly inthe direction Valoreehad involuntarily glanced. "Comealong, Bessy, " shesaidto her maid. "There is notimeto waste."
"Damn, " Valoree said underher breathas the woman sailed down the hall andthroughthekitchen door.
"You might like to call your aunt in on this one, " Daniel suggestedwith a repressedsmile, andValoreeglanced to where hestillstood with his back tothesalondoor.
"My aunt? "
"Aye, " he said with something that seemed oddly like sympathy. "And your uncle, too. My mother will march right overyou if youdo not have plenty of support."
Valoree blinked in amazement at the claim, then shook her head. She was the captain ofa pirateship! The dayshe could not handle one little old lady... Her thoughtsdied as a clatter inthe kitchen was followedby some vigorous cursing. Frowning, she started up the hall, but paused halfway there when Lady Thurborne stuck herheadout. The woman gave a brilliant smile.
"Ifound your cook, " she sangout cheerfully, not even wincing ata secondround of oathsbehindher."He is the temperamental sort, I see. So is mine.All artistsare. Not to worrythough; we shall getalong famously."
Her headdisappeared back into thekitchen, there was a great racket, and then there was complete silence. Valoree hesitated, unsure at that point whether she really wished to know what was going on. Danielspokefrom behind her. "Your aunt wasnotin there, was she? "
Valoree glanced over to see him nod toward the door he guarded, but shookher head. "Nay, she wentup to herroom."
"Ah. Good, she will be well rested and in fighting form.
Perhaps youshould send someone upto gether."
Valoree paused, then sighed and nodded to Bull. The giant left his post by the door and started up the stairs at once. "Find Henry, too, "shecalled after him, then walked toward thesalon door Daniel was guarding. "I suppose I had best tend to my suitorswhile Iam at it."