Free The Substitute Countess by Lyn Stone

canopied four-poster, was enormous, the largest Jack had ever seen.
    He sensed Laurel hovering behind him in the doorway. She must be wondering, too, whether each needed an invitation to visit the other’s room. He stood aside. “Come in, my dear, and have a look.”
    Then he addressed the housekeeper. “Mrs. Price, have our meal served in here if you will. The lads must be busy below, so I shall light the fires in both rooms.”
    The portly woman’s eyes widened. “But, sir, they should...” Her voice trailed off and she cleared her throat before continuing, “As you wish, sir. If you will excuse me, I’ll go down and send the girls up to assist my lady. George can attend you, though he’s not much experience in that regard.”
    Her expression held the question of why an earl and countess had arrived with no valet or maid in tow.
    “Very good,” Jack stated. He imagined an earl would not stoop to explain, so he said nothing more.
    After a bob of a curtsy, she swept out, using the hall door, and closed it behind her.
    “Well!” Jack exclaimed, turning to take Laurel’s hands in his. “Here we are. What do you think of all this?”
    She gave a nervous little laugh, still eyeing the bed. “It seems...sufficient to our needs, milord.”
    “Don’t milord me, Laurel. I expect I’ll have enough of that from now on without hearing it on your lips, too.”
    “It’s all so, well, so grand , isn’t it,” she said in a small voice.
    He shrugged. “And ours to bear. I wonder what we shall find at the country house. A much larger abode, wide expanse of property and many more servants, I expect.” And tremendous responsibilities for the both of them.
    She exhaled heavily and looked up at him. “I’m afraid I don’t know how to go on or what to say. I thought I would. Hoped that I would. It’s...overwhelming.”
    Jack enfolded her in his arms, wishing he could wave some magic wand and spare her the effort of fitting into her new life. Even though he genuinely wanted to protect her, he couldn’t help wishing for some of that confidence she had shown before. Or perhaps, he was really wishing for a bit of that in himself.
    Jack took a deep breath and dismissed all qualms. He could do this and so could she. “We’ll get used to it in short order, I daresay. I’ve captained a ship, after all, and this can’t be so different. As for you, why not pretend you are Mother Superior and take charge of these people?”
    He felt her muted laughter as she relaxed against him. “I don’t believe you’d want the Mother Superior biding next door to you.”
    “Certainly not tonight,” he agreed, and her laughter stopped.
    Someone knocked just then and he released Laurel. “Come,” he commanded and the door opened. One of the footmen entered with a large tray bearing silver-covered dishes, a crystal decanter, two glasses and a vase with three bedraggled roses.
    Behind him, from inside the dressing room, Jack heard the slosh of pouring water and the whispers of the maids who had entered through Laurel’s room to prepare the bath.
    Precious little privacy even now, Jack thought, wondering if he and Laurel would ever be alone long enough to seal their marriage vows. There would be the baths, clearing away of the dishes, turning down of the beds and God only knew what else.
    He glanced at the door to the hall to see if it had a lock. It did, with a large key, probably the mate to one hanging on the housekeeper’s chatelaine.
    The footman deposited the tray on the table and bowed to them. “I shall serve you, milady, milord.” He held out a chair and looked expectantly at Laurel.
    “Never mind that. You may go. George, is it?”
    “Yes, sir. I’ll return later and help you undress.”
    “Not tonight, George,” Jack insisted with a meaningful look.
    The young footman bit back a smile. “Very good, sir.”
    “Good night, George,” Jack said with a sigh.
    Their meal consisted of a simple stew, none too fresh bread,