The Lady Tamed by Boyd, Heather (urban books to read TXT) 📗

driver and then secured his traveling trunk to the back himself. Once he was sure everything was safe from loss, he clambered up beside the driver and clutched the small case on his lap aware the servant was watching him closely. “When you’re ready, sir.”

“Sir? Well, now.” The man sniffed the air and grunted when he must have detected no trace of perfume in the air. “The name’s Fenton. I’m his grace’s steward.”

Jeremy extended his hand. “A pleasure to meet you.”

Fenton looked at it but shook his head. “You’re late.”

“Not through my actions, I assure you,” Jeremy promised. “There’s probably been dozens of small delays along the way. People forgetting their luggage. Jumping on and off. Changes of horse. None of which I was involved with personally.”

Fenton slapped the reins over the horse’s rump, and the carriage lurched forward. Jeremy hadn’t been prepared for it and was tossed about. He scrambled to hold fast to Lady Rivers’ case, his hat, and the seat, too. “Oi. Have a care!”

Fenton regarded him though narrowed eyes. “Too rough for you?” The fellow looked at him sourly, sucking on his teeth. “She sure can pick ’em.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Never mind.” The fellow slapped the reins again, and they moved off at a faster clip. Jeremy kept a hand on his hat to save it from separation with his head. It was the finest hat he’d ever owned and a gift from Lady Rivers, along with everything else he owned.

They’d been driving for twenty minutes before the old man spoke again. “Lady Rivers is away visiting and won’t be there to welcome you to Stapleton.”

“Oh,” Jeremy said, feeling somewhat disappointed. He had hoped to speak to her before he had to mingle with any wedding guests. “When will she be back?”

“No doubt when she’s good and ready and not a moment sooner.” The fellow kept his eyes on the road ahead. “You’d best remember a woman like her does as she pleases.”

Jeremy agreed. He’d already noticed Lady Rivers was an independent, headstrong sort of woman. “Have you worked for the family long?”

The fellow speared him with a suspicious glance. “All my life. I’ll be here long after you’ve gone on your merry way, too, I expect.”

Jeremy nodded. His role with Lady Rivers likely wouldn’t be of any great duration. One brief moment in the spotlight over the next two weeks and then a quick exit and a return to the theater.

He relaxed a bit more on the seat, but the man at his side kept drawing his attention. He watched his mannerisms, pondering if the man was naturally abrasive or if his prickly tone was strictly reserved for Jeremy. A steward might not normally collect a guest from the mail coach. “Are there many guests staying at Stapleton for the wedding?”

“A few, but the family is settled in and that’s all who matter.”

Lady Rivers had explained that she had a large family. He had memorized all the names, and connections, so he did not embarrass himself or Lady Rivers.

Fenton sighed. “There she is.”

“Where?” Jeremy asked, looking for a carriage or horse carrying his lady in the nearby fields. He was excited to see her again. An actor always needed to please their patron.

“The manor house, paper skull!”

“Oh.” Jeremy looked to where the man now pointed. He probably should care that the steward had just insulted him, but he was too surprised by what he was looking at. “Oh, my.”

Stapleton was much larger than Lady Rivers had suggested when she’d convinced him to spend a fortnight in the countryside pretending to be her most ardent admirer.

Fenton smiled. “Ain’t she the most remarkable sight in all of England?”

Jeremy hardly knew what to say in response. He’d never seen a single structure that could rival it. But there was a lot in the world that Jeremy had never seen or imagined yet. There was a look about the place that spoke of power and wealth. “Lady Rivers never mentioned the size of the house was so vast.”

“Course not. Grew up in it, married a man with another just like it. Ain’t you never been to her estate?”

“Not yet.”

Fenton squinted at him. “How long you known Lady Rivers?”

“We met at the start of the season.”

The fellow slowed the carriage, bringing them to a halt, and just sat there admiring the manor. Finally, he turned to Jeremy. “How long since she started paying for your upkeep then?”

It was commonplace for actors to have wealthy patrons who supported them financially, but Jeremy’s cheeks grew hot anyway under Fenton’s scrutiny. “She began only last month.”

His brows shot up. “Not the same day you met like all the others? I’m surprised she waited so long. The lady is always taking in strays.”

Jeremy colored even more. Yes, he was a kept man. Clothed by a rich woman. It was every actor’s dream come true. He’d signed a contract. He was hers, and she’d pledged to go along with any scene he felt might be required to ensure her ruse was a complete success. But Jeremy was sure it would not turn out to be as simple as she imagined. No performance was ever free from drama or unexpected mishaps. “She is a very generous patron to those of us in the arts.”

“Yes, she most certainly is. The needy and useless flock to her like geese to fallen crumbs.”

Clearly Fenton didn’t approve of actors. “Can we go?”

Fenton slapped the reins over the horse’s rump again and Jeremy’s excitement grew.

Yes, Jeremy was as needy and nearly as useless as anyone else in the theater. But at least he wasn’t stealing from anyone anymore. He didn’t need to. Lady Rivers believed he had promise as an actor, or else she wouldn’t have handed him the plum role in her little play. She trusted him.

But one particular thing she had insisted on was that he show respect to everyone employed at her father’s estate. Even the grumpy ones, he supposed. He had to win over this Fenton fellow,