Page 133 of Snowbound Surrender

She shrugged. “It is something, I suppose. They will be pleased to see you, I am sure.”

Hunter hadn’t realized his butler, Abbot, had entered the room, but he started when he heard him speak behind him.

“I am sure they would like to see the two of you together,” he said, and Hunter turned to him in surprise. The butler didn’t make eye contact with him but also didn’t seem embarrassed at speaking so out of turn.

“Perhaps they would,” he murmured as he turned back to his venison.

And now that he finally knew the reasoning behind Scarlett’s reluctance to draw closer to him, he was going to do all he could to break through the wall she had built around herself, and find a way through. The problem was, he only had a day to do it, for much more urgent matters awaited him.

Scarlett fidgetedwith the stem of her wine glass. Why had she told Hunter of her parents? She hadn’t intended to share anything with him, but then it had just slipped out.Fool, she cursed. Now he wore that self-satisfied grin as though he had figured out everything about her. It was but one piece of information. In reality, he knew nothing.

She desperately searched for a way to change the subject, suddenly remembering Marion’s request.

“I have a rather odd question for you,” she said, bringing the drink to her lips.

“Yes?” Hunter asked, raising his head, and when his eyes met hers with such intensity, shock coursed through her, sending shivers down her spine, all the way up to her suddenly quivering center. She blinked rapidly as she struggled to release herself from his spell.

“Ah, yes,” she said. “It’s about your valet.”

“Spicer?” An eyebrow arched quizzically.

“Yes,” she said, forging on. “Is he attached to anyone?”

“Besides me?” Hunter asked with a laugh.

“A woman,” she said sardonically.

“Why?” he asked, leaning back in his chair. “Are you interested?”

“No!” she exclaimed, but seeing his teasing grin, she relaxed. “My lady’s maid, Marion. She had … questions about him.”

“How veryfriendlyof you,” he said, a curious expression crossing his face, and she tilted her nose up into the air.

“Do you take exception with the fact that I see to the affairs of my lady’s maid?”

He shrugged. “Not at all. Most ladies wouldn’t take the time to speak of such things with a servant, lady’s maid or not.”

“I am not most ladies.”

“That, Scarlett, I am beginning to understand.”

She eyed him then, taking in the small smirk that teased the corner of his lips, and she wasn’t sure whether she should be complimented or insulted. She chose to let the matter rest and said nothing, but simply waited for him to answer her.

“Spicer is unattached, as far as I am aware,” he finally said. “Whether he has interest in your maid, I have no idea. I don’t suppose you would like me to look into this matter?”

“Would you?” she asked hopefully. She didn’t want to be indebted to him for anything, but Marion had done enough for her that she owed her this at least.

Hunter sighed. “Fine,” he said, waving a hand in the air. “I will speak to Spicer, but that is where my part in this matchmaking business ends.”

“Wonderful,” she beamed at him. The fact that he was willing to see to the affairs of his servants was promising, for then perhaps he would begin to open up to changes with histenants as well. Tomorrow would be interesting, she mused. She hoped his eyes would be opened to all that he had been blind to, as he was always so focused on his affairs in London.

“Tell me,Hunter,” she said, seeing the surprise on his face, and she smiled inwardly that she had achieved her purpose. “What do you enjoy so much about attending the House of Lords? I know many a man who is not nearly so regular as you are. Yet it is more important to you than all else.”

He was silent for a moment, as he seemed to be contemplating her question, and likely considering what she might be insinuating regarding his attention to their marriage.

“All who are part of the House of Lords have been born into the role,” he said, his blue-green eyes beginning to gleam. “It is a privilege, and yet many see it as a burden. I do know, Scarlett, that perhaps I should be a slightly better landlord, get to know the people, and all that. But we have the ability to create change, to make all of Great Britain a better place. Yes, some issues that come up may seem so small as to not be worthy of our time, but the truth is, what may seem like a tiny matter makes a consequential difference to someone, somewhere.”

“I cannot say I have seen much change in the past number of years.”