Page 33 of Snowbound with the Scoundrel
Rupert clenched his hands into fists.“That’s the best news, really the best.I’m ready and willing to sue.Of course, I am.But they’ll have taken my measure financially and know that I probably can’t afford to keep up three dozen lawsuits at once.But having Norwood join the case—that’ll really put them back on their heels.”
Clarissa grinned.“Jasper does have a talent for inspiring a hasty retreat.”
“Right you are, Miss Weatherby.Right you are, and he’s a good fellow to have in our corner.This is capital.Absolutely capital.”He was bouncing on the balls of his feet, invigorated in spite of the fact that he was yet to have so much as a cup of coffee.“If you want to know the truth, I’ve felt sick ever since you told me what they printed in the papers.I know this won’t undo everything you’ve been through, but it’s such a relief to know you’ll get some measure of justice.”
Clarissa felt her throat constrict.She could scarcely countenance it, but Rotten Rupert, whom she had spent the past two years hating with a burning passion, had turned out to be a rather fine fellow.
“Thank you, Mr.Dupree,” she said, her voice shaking.“I truly appreciate everything you are doing to clear my name.”
He smiled, a genial expression that settled naturally over his face.“That’s all right.The least I can do, and all that.Does this mean you believe me when I say I didn’t have anything to do with that letter?”
“I do.But I am curious—you said something about another letter, one you sent to my house, and about someone sabotaging you.What really happened?”
He rubbed the back of his head.“Now, that is a long story.Not that I’m unwilling to tell it.Not at all.”He glanced at the door for a beat, then turned back to her, his eyes filled with urgency.“But first, there’s something we need to discuss—”
There was a sharp rap at the door.It swung open, and Lady Helmsley poked her head in.“There you two are!”The countess’s expression was stern as she strode into the room.“I know you must be eager to confer, given the exciting news in the papers this morning.But it really isn’t proper for you to be alone, especially with the door shut.”
Clarissa chuckled.“I appreciate your care, my lady.But I am five and twenty.Firmly on the shelf.”
“You are going to be one of the biggest catches in London next year,” Lady Helmsley countered.“And I would never risk your sister’s displeasure by allowing your reputation to be tarnished under my roof.”She waved a hand.“Go on, continue your conversation.I will sit in the corner, and that will take care of the proprieties.You’ll never even know I’m here.”
Rupert gave Clarissa a look filled with a rueful sort of humor, and she took it that whatever he had been about to tell her, he would not care to say it in front of Lady Helmsley.“I fear Miss Weatherby was not able to finish her toast.Why do we not all head to the breakfast room so she can remedy the situation?”
Clarissa gave Rupert a significant look, one that she hoped conveyed that they would talk later.He responded with a wink.
In the breakfast room, she allowed Rupert to hand her into her chair.As the servants bustled about, furnishing her with a fresh cup of tea and two warm slices of toast, she could not help but wonder what was going on.Were she and Rupert… friends?The notion seemed absurd, and yet, she fancied that was just what they were.
And perhaps they were more than that.Perhaps he was the additional agent Sir Henry had mentioned.Perhaps he was her… partner.
The most alarming thing of all was how little that notion disturbed her.
Clarissa cracked open her egg, feeling more confused than ever.
Chapter15
Rupert smiled as he stepped out the front door of the castle.The sky was a bright, cheerful blue that made for a beautiful contrast with the fresh, white drifts of snow.Lord and Lady Helmsley had announced that they had a special surprise for their guests, who had donned their cloaks and hats and were assembling out front.
It wasn’t hard to spot the surprise.A cherry-red sleigh drawn by a pair of dappled greys stood waiting on the circular drive.Ropes of holly had been hung all around the rim, and little sprigs of it were even plaited into the horses’ manes.Rupert could not imagine a more cheerful Christmas sight.
Lady Helmsley clapped her hands.“I thought, given the fine weather, that it would be a nice day to gather some greenery with which to decorate the castle.”
Lord Helmsley stepped forward to stand beside his wife.“Meanwhile, given that we have such a good amount of snow on the ground, I thought it a fine opportunity to bring out the sleigh.”
“So, we decided to do both,” Lady Helmsley said, smiling fondly up at her husband.“There’s plenty of greenery in the little grove of trees just over that rise.”
“And if anyone would like to take a jaunt about the park,” Lord Helmsley added, “the sleigh is at your disposal.”
The assembled guests murmured with pleasure.Rupert found himself grinning.What a charming way to spend the morning!He warranted that Lord and Lady Helmsley would have a hot toddy and a roaring fire ready and waiting for their guests once they went inside.
He was keeping an eye on Oliver Baxter, as always, and he’d been surprised to see that Rosalind Baxter was also out and about today.He still didn’t know if she’d really been ill or if that had been a precaution.If it had been a safety measure, he could understand why she had abandoned it.There had been no signs of danger for four days.The poor lady couldn’t stay in her room forever.
Indeed, Mrs.Baxter looked glad to be out of doors.She was the first guest to stride toward the sleigh.She stroked the neck of one of the greys.“What a handsome fellow!”
Rupert smiled as the horse nuzzled her.Mrs.Baxter had the reputation of being quite the horsewoman.
She turned to her husband, face glowing in spite of their recent scare.“I’ve always wanted to go for a sleigh ride.Shall we try it?”
Oliver Baxter responded by rolling his eyes.“Must we?”
