Page 9 of Captivating the Countess
Burly man shook his head negatively. “Not leaving. I’m designing an architectural masterpiece that will bring the world to our door once I have the funds. I’ll not hasten my ducal uncle’s demise, but I’ll be here when he departs this mortal coil. So shut up, Carla. I refuse to be blamed if he dies during one of your operatic dirges.”
He held up his hand the instant the diva opened her mouth. Glaring, she flounced away.
“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced.” He held out his hand. “I’m Theodore Winchester, Junior, Rainford’s heir. And you are?”
“The Countess of Craigmore and Rainford’s new steward.” Not accepting his paint-splattered hand, she curtsied and walked away, her mission accomplished.
She almost heard the spirits sighing in relief. One might have been sniggering, but she refused to notice.
She had done it now, accepted a position in a house filled with more turmoil than anything her small estate had ever produced, even during her stepfather’s drunken rages.
Four
Relievedby the miracle of silence briefly descending on the old halls, Rain made case notes in one of his medical journals pertaining to an interesting patient.
A commotion on the stairs, followed by the piercing tones of Teddy’s current mistress, dispelled any illusion of peace. He winced as a trunk hit marble and the voice reached levels that could rattle chandeliers.
Groaning in frustration at a knock on his door, but already distracted, he gave permission for entry. Curiosity was a terrible thing.
His youngest, unmarried, sister Alicia slipped in and closed the door, looking conspiratorial. “What did you say to Carla? I didn’t think she would be removed by anything short of a shotgun.”
Rain sat back and tapped his pen on the desk. Alicia had the family pale blond looks, plus the Malcolm blue eyes he lacked. She was plain and perhaps a little chubby—and a terrible pianist—but she was smart and kind, and any man should be proud to call her his own. So far, she’d resisted accepting any. Was it possible for a female to be as hardheaded as he?
“You know this is the family home, and I will not send any of you into exile.” Because they’d all end up in the streets. The eccentricity of their family was the reason the castle had grown into a sprawling village of separated apartments. “Teddy must have tired of her.” Which didn’t seem likely either. His cousin was too lazy to actively chase away a convenient bedmate, no matter how annoying the female might be.
“No, he’s telling her he hasn’t finished her portrait, and she shouldn’t be quite so hasty. I assumed you’d insulted her, and I was wondering how that was done. I’d like to learn.” Alicia cracked the door to listen.
“Not me. You’ll have to ask Teddy. I’d like to learn, too.” Intrigued, Rain stood up to spy.
“Being polite is overrated,” Alicia whispered. “Our teachers should have taught us to defend ourselves.”
“When one has power and wealth, it is only responsible to wield them for the benefit of others.” Rain repeated the refrain they’d been taught since birth.
“But at some point, benefit becomes sponging,” Alicia added callously.
Rain didn’t argue the point. “This is Teddy’s home as well as ours. It’s certainly large enough for all of us.”
“Not for an entire opera company.”
Alicia was prone to exaggeration.
Doors had stopped slamming, Rain realized. If the diva left and Alicia stayed away from the piano, he might almost be able to think again. He should return to work in this brief respite, but it was almost time to change for dinner. Oh well, might as well satisfy his curiosity.
They emerged into the corridor to watch a parade of servants carrying enough baggage to fill an entire train car.
“Do we have enough carriages?” Rain wondered aloud.
“I assume that was rhetorical.” Alicia followed in the path of trunks and hatboxes and valises to the front door and peered out. “The berlin, the brougham, and a hay cart, I believe.”
Rain turned his attention upward. A bearded bear of a man, Teddy Jr. watched mournfully from the top of the stairs. Having just lost the woman he’d intended to marry, Rain could appreciate his cousin’s dismay. And maybe enjoy a little satisfaction that Teddy had to suffer, too, since the opera star’s dramatics could partially be blamed for Araminta’s departure.
“Is it true that Miss Rutledge left earlier?” Alicia apparently followed his thoughts.
“Along with Mr. Davis, yes.” Rain saw no reason to deny it. “They reportedly bought train tickets to York. I suppose there’s a bishop there where they can obtain a license.”
“Do you think I drove them away?” His sister fretted. “We are writing a musical, and we became a trifle noisy, I fear.”
Yes, he thought the musical might have been part of the insanity Araminta complained about, but that was her problem, not Alicia’s. “You are entitled to sing and pound instruments to your heart’s content in your own home. Although I do hope you’ll keep it quieter than our departing diva after dark.”
