Barbara Metzger Read Free

oats, and as little exertion as he can manage. In fact, Gideon, at least, would be happy here. The stables were bound to be cleaner, brighter, and better attended than the cramped quarters the bay was used to. Horses at Royce House were treated better than some of the guests. No one would eye him with the sneer the butler was giving Daniel right now from the opened doors of the earls town house.
     
     
The man was new since Daniel had been here last, likely hired for the Season while the countesss regular majordomo was with her in the country. This fellow looked as if hed gone to the same buttling school as every other starched-up, supercilious, elitist servant of societys upper class. That was the school where they were taught to take their standing from the family they served, to look down on ordinary mortals, and to stick a poker up their
     
     
Ah, the man said now, the corners of his mouth raised the barest fraction. You must be Mr. Stamfield. Lady Cora did say she was expecting you. Welcome to Royce House.
     
     
He held out his immaculate white-gloved hand. Daniel had no idea whynot that he was averse to shaking a servants hand, but even in his recent milieu, that was odd. Perhaps the chap was waiting for Daniels hat, which hed lost months ago in a blindfolded race.
     
     
His gloves? Daniel wore the plaguey things only in the depths of winter, and misplaced them more often than not.
     
     
A cane? An affectation of the swells on the strut.
     
     
A riding crop? Gideon went his own pace, so why bother?
     
     
Surely the prig could not be waiting for a gratuity, not at Daniels mothers own residence, where the butler hadnt done a thing for her son yet, and looked like he never would if he had his druthers.
     
     
The servants nostrils flared in haughty disdain. Your card, sir. So I might carry it to Lady Cora.
     
     
There was only so much sacrifice Daniel was willing to make for his mother. Taking manure from a stiff-rumped toad was not on the list. Daniel grabbed the much smaller man by the shoulderspadded shoulders at thatand lifted him right off his feet. What is your name? he demanded.
     
     
D-Dobbson, sir.
     
     
Well, Duhdobbson, if I am going to live here, we need to come to terms. My terms. No damn calling cards, no punctilious rituals, no sticking your beak up at me or my ways.
     
     
Yes, sir. You are fine just as you are. A perfect gentleman. A credit to Royce House and the earldom. My pleasure to serve you, Mr. Stamfield.
     
     
Daniel could feel the welts rising on the back of his neck, but wouldnt give the butler the satisfaction of seeing him scratch on the street. He set the man back on his own feet. And no blasted lies!
     
     
Ill just go announce you to Lady Cora. Dobbson took one look at Daniel, still looming close enough for another application of brute force, and stepped back, out of range. He straightened his disordered tailcoat, patted his powdered wig to ensure it was properly situated, and said, Im sure my lady would rather you surprise her. Youll announce yourself, shall you?
     
     
There was no need, for Lady Cora was at the open door, her arms held wide to welcome her son. While they embraced, before he could apologize for picking on someone smaller, older, weaker, and of lesser rank, his mother whispered, Ive been wishing to box that mans ears all morning. Thank you, dear. Lady Royce hired him, dont you know. Dear Margaret always was a countess to her toenails.
     
     
Daniel smiled. His mother might be all fancified in silks and jewels befitting Lady Corashe even sported a turbanbut she was still plain Mrs. Stamfield who had hugs for him and Rex no matter how much dirt two grubby schoolboys trailed into her clean house, or what trouble theyd caused in the neighborhood. Judging from the spread waiting in the morning room, she still knew how much fuel a body as large as Daniels needed, and how he loved raspberry tarts. Surely shed understand his loathing of polite society and