Page 86 of Storm of Bells
Her ladyship looked aghast as only a proper,English marchioness could. ‘You can’t have yourbodyguardbeyour best man, standing beside you at your wedding!’
‘Why not? He’s already paid to stand besideme anyway.’
‘Well…because…because…’
Her mouth opened and closed repeatedly,without any words coming out.
‘I must admit, I sort of like the idea.’ Igrinned. ‘Remember that old tradition where the best man has tostand in, in case something unforeseen happens to the groom? If youget cold feet at the last minute, I’ll at least have Karim’shorrified facial expression to look forward to. I can hear hisscreams already. I wonder how fast he’ll run.’
Mr Rikkard Ambrose sent me a look across thecoach that made heat rise inside me, and made Adaira lean out ofthe window, pretending to vomit.
‘I assure you, Miss Linton, that will nothappen. There will be no running—onanybody’s part.’
‘Dear Mr Ambrose…was that a threat?’
‘Yes.’
Sighing, I pressed a hand to my chest. ‘Youreally know how to charm your way into a girl’s heart.’
Leaning over, Lady Samantha tugged on mysleeve, whispering out of the corner of her mouth, ‘Are you really,reallysure?’
I smiled.
‘Definitely.’
***
The journey passed in a breeze. The weatherwas beautiful, the air fresh, and, except for that one disagreeablehuman icicle in the corner, the company was delightful. Thelandscape was a sight to behold. We had long left behind simplecows, and now the endless rolling hills outside the window weredecorated with grass-nibbling sheep. That wasn’t the only beautifulmarvel we got to see, either.
‘Oh look, Miss! Look there! A hedgehog! Areal hedgehog!’
‘Yes. Right beside a hedge. Howextraordinary.’
‘Exactly! Oh, Miss, thank you so much fortaking me along on this wonderful trip! Thank you so much!’
My new lady’s maid turned out to be quiteenthusiastic at times. It should probably have started to get on mynerves at some point. But, getting to see Mr Ambrose in the corner,snapping his watch open and shut every five minutes with a newglare at her she didn’t even notice, I couldn’t help but enjoy theride to the fullest. Hedgehogs were great! Long live hedgehogs!
However, as we rolled down the road, gettingcloser to our goal with every passing minute, slowly my joy startedto ebb, replaced by growing nervousness. No matter how much I triedto concentrate on the hedgehogs, birds and butterflies, or onVinnie’s endless stream of innocent questions, one question keptpounding in my mind, over and over again.
A manor? He has anactualmanor?
I still couldn’t quite comprehend it. MrRikkard Ambrose owning a house? One not filled with busy workerbees, but actually reserved for such an extravagant activity asliving? And not just any old kind of house, but a manor in themiddle of a sprawling rural estate?
I just couldn’t quite picture it. But thenagain…
Maybe that was a good thing.
If I really tried to picture the kind of‘manor’ that might be in the possession of Mr Rikkard Ambrose, myimaginings wouldn’t be, well, ehem…
Ding-Dong…
Good Morning, Miss Linton. Welcome to MrAmbrose’s manor. I’m the butler. Don’t worry about my transparency,I died at the ripe age of ninety-two, and Mr Ambrose graciouslyagreed to keep me on in my previous position if I agreed to forgomy wages. Please, follow me—oh, careful! Don’t step on that loosefloorboard. It’s not all that solid since the rot has settled in.Besides, the creak may wake the ghouls in the cellar. Now, let meshow you to your room. They’re at the very top of the house, rightnext to our resident madwoman in the attic…
Yeah. Just like that.
‘Oh, Miss, look! Look!’
I was abruptly startled from my thoughts,which, considering where those thoughts were leading, was probablya good thing. Looking up, I saw Vinnie jumping up from her seat andhurling herself forward. It looked like she wanted to throw herselfout of the window, but, knowing her, she probably just wanted tohave a closer look. Lunging forward, I grabbed hold of the back ofher dress, I was just about able to prevent her from nose-divingonto the road. Completely unaware, the young girl gestured at awooden street sign rapidly rushing closer.
