Page 121 of Storm of Bells
‘Err…well…’
‘Oh, of course!’ Her ladyship clapped herhands. ‘The luggage must still be back at the coach. It wouldn’thave fit on the wagon, right?’
‘Right, right!’ Amy nodded. ‘Exactly!’
‘Luggage?’ Cora blinked. ‘What are yeblabbin’ abou—ow!’
‘Oh, you poor dears!’ Rushing forward, LadySamantha enclosed Amy in her arms. ‘Losing your coach and all yourluggage! No wonder you look a little frazzled. Don’t you worry!We’ll see you outfitted.’
Amy blinked. ‘You will?’
‘Of course! After all, if not for this littlewedding of ours, you would never have come here, and you wouldnever have lost your things. Besides…’ Eying the foot stillsticking out of the hay, she gave a delicate cough. ‘I think yourclothes might be a bit…travel-worn. You might want to wearsomething else to the wedding.’
‘I would hope so.’ Mr Ambrose let hisice-cold eyes wander over the three women in front of him. Orrather, the one woman, one head and one leg that were currentlyvisible. ‘That will be a necessity.’
‘Besides,’ Lady Samantha added brightly, ‘myson can afford it.’
His head snapped around. ‘Excuse me?’
She patted his shoulders. ‘You’reexcused.’
‘I’m not paying for—’
With the loving gentleness befitting a caringfiancée, I stepped up behind him and slapped my hand over hismouth.
‘We’ll be happy to help you in any way wecan,’ I announced brightly, making sure to bulge out my hand so hecouldn’t bite into my fingers. ‘We can take a trip to the localdressmaker’s shop tomorrow. I’m sure Mrs Jenkins would love somebusiness.’
‘Mmm! Mgmgm mmh!’
‘That sounds fabulous!’ Clapping, Adairarushed forward and took Amy by the arm. ‘Come on inside, will you?I’d love to have a little chat with you. I’m sure we can learn alot from each other.’
‘Gngrr!’ From underneath my hand, a strangledgroan erupted from Mr Rikkard Ambrose’s throat.
‘Excellent idea.’ Keeping hold of him withone hand, just in case, I stepped towards the wagon and extended ahand to Carol, who by now had fought herself free of the hay andwas gazing down at me as if I had three heads and a little yellowpig tail. ‘Let me help you down. We’ll go inside and have a nicecup of tea.’
‘A cuppa…tea?’ Carol asked, somewhatsuspiciously. Looking up into the girl’s face, I realized this wasprobably the first time someone had offered her something withoutdemanding something in return.
‘Yes.’ I held her gaze. ‘And biscuits.’
She considered a moment—then nodded. Takingmy hand, she stepped down from the wagon, and I shook her hand,firmly.
‘Wait!’ Came a muffled voice from deep underthe hay, and the foot sticking out of the pile began to wiggle.‘What about me?’
‘Of course, nobody will be left out.’ Takinghold of the foot, I shook it, too. ‘Delighted to meet you,Miss…?’
‘Jenny. Most people call me Juicy Jenny.’
Lady Samantha blinked. ‘Err…indeed? And whyis that?’
‘Because she makes such good juice,’ Iexplained, my face deadpan. ‘Wait till you taste herapple-and-orange mixture.’
‘That sounds delightful! Come, let’s all goinside.’
Soon, Jenny the juice maker had struggledfree of the hay pile. She was a slender girl. If I’d met her at aball, I’d have called her elegant and slim. But looking at theshadows under her eyes, the word ‘emaciated’ came to mind.
‘You know what?’ I snapped my fingers. ‘Ithink we could do with some sandwiches, too. And a cup of hotchocolate for everyone. Benson?’
The butler, waiting at the door, boweddeeply. ‘Immediately, My Lady.’
