The Duke's Bidding

Chapter 16

Robert returned to Cedar Lane earlier that morning, to attend to his patient and spend some time with his childhood friend. To his astonishment, he found a frazzled Watson, pacing the halls, and barking repetitive orders to the footmen. Amused, Robert watched the ensuing chaos for some time. Having only recently joined the peerage, he relished watching the escalation of Watson's nerves, after all it was not often that the butler would lose his decorum. The man, made being a butler seem like the greatest calling known to man. After a while, however, the reactions of the help started to waver and they showed disgruntlement with their leader. It was at that moment that Robert deemed it necessary to intercede before John had a mutiny on his hands.

He walked up to the butler, crossed his arms at his back, straightened his shoulders and rustled up his very best Earl impression, "Watson, join me in the study."

Watson came up short, Lord Augustine had just asked him to join him, but he couldn't shake the feeling that it really had been a summons. The tone was different, one he knew his Lordship did not wield often.

Robert was hesitant to interfere as he wished, but having already started, there was no going back. "Watson, what is the problem exactly?"

"My Lord—"

"Why are you driving the staff mad?"

Watson straightened his shoulders and raised his chin, "I beg your pardon?"

"What is the problem, man? Where is John?"

"His Lordship is . . . I am afraid his Lordship is still resting my Lord." Watson rocked on his heels, a telltale sign that there was more to it than that. "Would you like to wait for him?"

"Come, man, I know John resting is not the problem, so either 'fess up or I will go and wake John up myself and find out what the problem is."

Watson hesitated a moment, thinking over his choices. Remembering that Robert and John were close childhood friends and that as children they would protect each other at all costs. Watson resigned himself to confiding in his Lordship. "His Lordship—he is resting in the Ducal suite."

"Ah—I see." Robert didn't actually see, in fact it was beyond his comprehension. Why shouldn't John stay in the ducal suite? Granted he wasn't the Duke, but really this was not a matter of great importance. He was about to point this out when his friend waltzed in—hair unkempt and his shirt loose.

"Watson, where the bloody hell is everyone. I have been calling for breakfast for some time now—Oh good, you are here. I was about to send for you." John was glad to see Robert; he turned back to Watson.

John's entrance had momentarily startled the elderly butler into silence; Robert couldn't help but notice the distinct throbbing of the vein in the man's temple. It was almost comical if you didn't know that Watson was actually struggling to maintain his composure.

"They are occupied, my Lord. I will have something prepared and sent up." Watson turned on his heels and left. Both lords took notice of the muffled expletives uttered by the older man.

"I think you have ruffled the man's feathers," Robert observed unnecessarily.

John walked over to the sideboard and grabbed the brandy bottle, then as if realizing what he was doing, put the bottle down and poured some water for himself.

Robert's jovial attitude returned when he realized his friend was fidgeting with his cup. "What did you do now?"

John rubbed the back of his neck. His hairs had been standing upright in alert since the moment he had walked into the room and seen his butler's face. "How should I know? The man is a lunatic." He hoped that would placate Robert's question, but knowing his old friend, it was more likely he had presented a canine with a nice juicy bone.