is the life of this village, and we’re all so glad to see it occupied again that we were delighted to stay up last night and make it presentable. And if you were any kind of gentleman, you’d appreciate that!”
Trevor raised his brows at her vehemence. Every inch of her straightened spine and high head said righteous indignation. Her chest rose and fell in her green coat, pink ribbon fluttering, as if she were taking deep breaths to try to steady her emotions. She truly thought these people would serve him with no expectation of reward.
He couldn’t believe that. In his experience, everyone had a reason for offering help; everyone expected something in return. Nor could he believe they’d worked all night for no other purpose than to pretty up Blackcliff Hall. They knew nothing about him. Why put themselves out on his behalf?
And despite what she’d said about Blackcliff being vital to the village, he was certain they must have more important things to do. Determined to prove himself right, he strode into the withdrawing room.
And stopped. And stared.
Every wood surface glowed; every inch of brass from the candlesticks on the mantel to the lamps on the tables gleamed. A fire was crackling in the hearth, and a bunch of russet chrysanthemums filled a crystal vase on one of the decorative tables. He could smell the lemon polish.
He whirled to find Gwen watching him. “Is the whole house like this?” he demanded.
A becoming shade of pink darkened her cheeks. “Most of it. We didn’t quite get to the cellar, but we hoped you wouldn’t get to it, either.”
He glanced around the room again, noting the quilted lap robe draping the sofa and the silhouette framed on the wall. Neither had been there last night, he was certain. “Did you sleep at all?” he marveled.
She smiled. “Who could sleep with a new master at Blackcliff?”
Trevor shook his head. It seemed he was wrong. They truly had stayed up all night, for him. What kind of people were these? What land had his father sent him to? There had to be some reason for their kindness, but if not expectation of repayment, then what?
Still, he knew what his response must be. He offered her a deep bow. “You have my thanks, Miss Allbridge, and my apology. I’m not used to people so generous with their time and talents.”
“You’ve never met the people of Blackcliff,” she said, smile deepening as he straightened. A dimple danced at the corner of her mouth. Trevor found himself unable to look away.
The grandfather clock in the entryway chimed ten. “Oh, goodness! I’ve kept you from your appointment!” She seized Trevor’s hand. “This way to the library. I’m sure my father has everything laid out to explain the estate to you.”
Trevor didn’t resist as she tugged him out of the withdrawing room and down the corridor. She had strong hands for a woman, sturdy, unlike his mother’s long, elegant fingers. She was also the busiest woman he’d ever met. Everywhere he looked he saw evidence of her handiwork.
Windows that had been grimy with dust now sparkled in the golden light of autumn. Every last cobweb had been obliterated. She must have enlisted each man, woman and child in the village to clean the place and stood as their captain. And she didn’t even look tired!
She threw open the door to the library with a flourish and stepped aside for him to enter. He thought surely she’d wait outside, perhaps even go straight to attack the cellar, but she followed him inside and shut the door behind her.
He had the oddest sense of a trap being sprung.
He glanced around the library, trying to determine what was wrong. Every wall was hidden by tall oak bookcases with leaded glass fronts. The only open space was for the paneled door by which he’d entered, the wide window opposite it overlooking the grounds and the black marble fireplace to his right. Candles in the brass chandelier cast down a glow on the stout leather-bound chairs scattered about the ruby-patterned carpet and the massive, claw-foot desk across the room.
This was where a gentleman conducted business—thoughtful, logical, impressive. For the first time, he began to feel at home.
An older man stood with his back to the desk, hands braced behind him on its surface as if he needed its strength. Where Gwen Allbridge was an all-consuming fire, her father looked more like a burned-out husk. His gray hair was thinning and receding, his cheeks hollowed. His body was too narrow for the plaid wool coat and brown breeches that hung from it.
He pushed off from the desk and managed a bow, his voice creaking out of him as if even breathing was a struggle. “Sir Trevor, an honor to meet you. Horace Allbridge at your service.”
“Allbridge,” Trevor greeted him, moving into the room. “I understand I have you to thank for keeping my estate safe.”
His steward immediately dropped his gaze to his scuffed brown boots and shuffled them against the carpet. “Only doing my duty, sir.”
Trevor swung around him and seated himself at the desk. The black leather-bound armchair didn’t offer a protest as he sank into it, fitting his frame as if it had been made for him. He rubbed his hands over the smooth desktop, saw his reflection gazing thoughtfully back at him in the polished surface. If he turned his head, he could gaze out at his garden and the black fell rising behind the house.
Something drifted over him, strong, sure. If he’d had to name it, he would have called it peace.
He took a breath and raised his head. Gwendolyn Allbridge was watching him from her place near the door. He’d seen similar smiles on the faces of new mothers, excessively proud of their babbling infants. But was it her father or him she found so adorable?
Not a little discomposed by the thought, he waved toward another of the leather-bound chairs on the other side of the desk. “Have a seat,” he told her father. “I’d like a full report.”
Allbridge perched on the edge of the chair, spine inches away from the back of it. He blinked bleary blue eyes as if trying in vain to gather his thoughts.
Gwen seemed to sense it. Her smile faded, and she hurried closer. “I’m sure you have a great deal to report, Father,” she said, for all the world like a teacher coaxing a student to answer a difficult question.
Did the man need such help? What kind of steward was he that he required his daughter’s prompting to do his duty? Trevor had assumed the man had been working at her side all night; now he could only wonder.
“Miss Allbridge,” he said, giving her his most charming smile. “Forgive us for taking up your time. I’m certain you have other matters on your mind this fine day.”
She came forward eagerly, face alight. “Not at all! I love hearing how well Blackcliff is doing!”
Her father cleared his throat with a phlegmy rattle. “Could take some time. Best you see to Sir Trevor’s tea. Wouldn’t want him to perish of thirst, now, would we?”
Her face fell, but she nodded. “Of course. I’ll be right back.” She hurried from the room.
“Your daughter is a credit to you, sir,” Trevor said.
“That she is,” Gwen’s father agreed. “She’s been managing Blackcliff for years.” He glanced after
